Security News > 2020 > May > Europe’s Largest Private Hospital Operator Fresenius Hit by Ransomware
Fresenius, Europe's largest private hospital operator and a major provider of dialysis products and services that are in such high demand thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been hit in a ransomware cyber attack on its technology systems.
Based in Germany, the Fresenius Group includes four independent businesses: Fresenius Medical Care, a leading provider of care to those suffering from kidney failure; Fresenius Helios, Europe's largest private hospital operator; Fresenius Kabi, which supplies pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices; and Fresenius Vamed, which manages healthcare facilities.
"The assault on Fresenius comes amid increasingly targeted attacks against healthcare providers on the front lines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, the international police organization INTERPOL warned it"has detected a significant increase in the number of attempted ransomware attacks against key organizations and infrastructure engaged in the virus response.
Fresenius declined to answer questions about specifics of the attack, saying it does not provide detailed information or comments on IT security matters.
Update, May 7, 11:44 a.m. ET: Lawrence Abrams over at Bleeping Computer says the attack on Fresenius appears to be part of a larger campaign by the Snake ransomware crooks that kicked into high gear over the past few days.