If you’re a cybersecurity enthusiast, then you must know about the recent malware attack on a European hospital. Today we delve into how a seemingly innocent USB stick used at a conference led to this unfortunate event.
The Malware Incident
Earlier this year, a European hospital fell prey to a nasty malware infection, thanks to a USB stick used at a conference, says security firm Check Point. The name of the hospital and the exact impact remain under wraps, but the hunt for “patient zero” was successful.
The Unwitting Carrier
The unsuspecting carrier turned out to be a hospital employee who had attended a conference in Asia. Using the USB stick, he shared his presentation with fellow attendees. But disaster struck when his USB stick got infected from a colleague’s computer at the conference.
The Domino Effect
Our hapless hospital worker then took the tainted USB stick back to the hospital, becoming a catalyst for the malware to spread further. In such infected USB sticks, all of the user’s files are hidden. The victim only sees a malicious launcher bearing the name of the USB stick.
As soon as the victim launches it, the hidden files become visible, and in the background, a backdoor is installed allowing the attackers access to the system. The malware keeps a vigilant eye for new USB sticks, ready to infect them as well. Even network drives added to the infected system can get contaminated.
Check Point’s Advice
Check Point underscores the importance of educating personnel about the risks of using USB sticks from unknown or untrustworthy sources. They also advocate clear guidelines for the use of such data carriers.
Ideally, the use of USB sticks should be limited or outright banned unless they come from reliable sources and have been vetted for malware. As a proactive measure, organizations could consider alternatives to the use of USB sticks.
As always, in cybersecurity, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Stay safe out there, friends.
