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Ransomware Gangs Wreak Havoc on French Firms, Hospitals
High-Profile Cyber Attacks Disrupt Business Operations and Compromise Sensitive Data
In a series of high-profile cyber attacks, ransomware gangs have targeted major French companies and hospitals, resulting in massive data breaches and crippling business operations.
Thales Hit by LockBit 3.0 Ransomware Attack
Thales, a leading defense and aerospace company, was hit by a LockBit 3.0 ransomware attack that led to the leak of 9.5 GB of sensitive information on the dark web. The stolen data included:
- Technical documents
- Customer data
- Financial information
- Experimental software
iDealwine Suffers Data Breach
iDealwine, a popular online wine retailer, suffered a data breach in October 2022, compromising customer information including:
- Names
- Addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Email accounts
Although credit card data was not affected, the company urged customers to change their passwords.
Corbeil-Essonnes Hospital Hit by Ransomware Attack
Corbeil- Essonnes Hospital near Paris was hit by a ransomware attack that crippled its IT system, forcing staff to revert to analog procedures. The hackers demanded a €10 million ransom, which the hospital refused to pay.
The Russian-based LockBit group is believed to be behind the attack, which also led to the publication of patient medical records online. French authorities intervened, negotiating with the hackers and eventually securing a reduced ransom of €1 million.
Apollo.io Reports Data Breach
Apollo.io, a digital marketing firm based in San Francisco, reported a data breach in May 2018 that exposed approximately 10.93 million data records from French users. The stolen data included:
- Names
- Email addresses
- Location coordinates
- Social media profiles
- Phone numbers
- Workplace information
Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) Reports Data Breach
Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) reported a data breach in mid-2020 that affected the medical records and data of 1.4 million COVID-19 patients. The CNIL, France’s data protection authority, urged affected individuals not to access their breached files.
Conclusion
These incidents highlight the growing threat posed by ransomware gangs and the need for businesses and hospitals to prioritize cybersecurity measures. As the French government continues to investigate these attacks, it remains to be seen what measures will be taken to prevent future breaches and protect sensitive information.
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