No Phones, No Records: Hackers Target Children’s Hospital in Ransomware Attack

Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital has been suffering from a cyberattack for over a week, causing major disruptions to its services. Phones, emails, and electronic health records are all offline, making it difficult for parents to communicate with doctors and schedule appointments.

The attack is believed to be ransomware, where hackers take control of systems and demand payment to release them. This is a growing problem for hospitals, with 24 attacks already reported in 2024 alone.

Patients are facing difficulties getting necessary care, with one mother struggling to get bloodwork and prescription refills for her daughter. The hospital is working to resolve the issue but hasn’t provided a timeline for full functionality.

This attack highlights the increasing threat of cybercrime against healthcare providers, causing major disruptions and financial burdens.