911 services in parts of California come under cyber attack

California's 911 services have been disrupted by ransomware amid a spate of cyber attacks on the Golden State. 

Police and fire emergency dispatch 911 services in parts of Southern California have been disrupted by a DragonForce cyber incident that occurred on June 16.

The cities impacted by the ransomware attack include: Manhattan Beach, Culver City, Hermosa Beach and El Segundo, as well as Hawthorne and Gardena, according to the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority (SBRPCA).

A ransomware attack is when dangerous software is used to encrypt files, rendering them unusable until a financial demand is paid.

Ransomware attacks have doubled this past year as dark web crooks use AI to strike hospitals and other facilities to steal patient data and pocket millions.

The latest hacking incident occurred not long after the ransomware group victimised Yakult Australia and allegedly stole 95GB of data from the company's Australian and New Zealand IT systems. 

The group also claimed it stole more than 400GB of data from Coca-Cola Singapore.

DragonForce's largest reported heist was a successful attack on Ohio Lottery in December 2023 when it stole more than 1.5 million employee and customer records amounting to 90GB of data.

Ohio Lottery said the attack impacted approximately 538,000 individuals, according to Data Breach Today. 

Meanwhile, an urgent warning has been issued to all 1.46 billion iPhone users after tech experts uncovered a new cyberattack targeting Apple IDs.

Bad actors are using SMS phishing campaigns that send messages claiming to be from Apple, prompting users to visit a link to an 'important request' about iCloud.

California-based Symantec security firm discovered the attack this month, warning the links lead to fake websites that urge users to hand over their Apple ID information.

Additionally, a cyberattack wreaked havoc on hospital computer systems in five states, forcing some emergency rooms to close and ambulances to be diverted.

Many primary care services remained closed on 4 August 2023 as security experts worked to determine the extent of the problem and resolve it.

The 'data security incident' began Thursday at facilities operated by Prospect Medical Holdings, which is based in California and has hospitals and clinics there and in Texas, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.

- 

It comes as the FBI issued a warning that America's hospitals are under attack as a new report has found that the public healthcare system has been hit harder by cyber incidents than any other sector.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released its latest internet crime report, revealing that in 2023, nearly 1,200 organizations were affected by ransomware. Of those, 250 were submitted by medical groups - the most of 16 sectors.

However, experts have warned that hospital attacks don't just steal a patient's information, but pose a serious threat to public safety. 

Due to such cyberattacks, Americans were blocked from receiving lifesaving medication and in one case, a nine-month-old baby lost her life.