May 5, 2009 1:32 PM
- Text
FBI Probes $10M Hacker-Ransom Claim In Va.
The FBI is investigating a report that hackers have accessed millions of patient and prescription records in Virginia.
The hackers reportedly are seeking a $10 million ransom for their return.
The alleged security breach was reported on WikiLeaks, an online clearinghouse for anonymously leaked documents. The site said 8 million patient records and 35 million prescriptions were accessed.
While he did not provide details of the investigation, a spokesman for the FBI's Richmond office said Tuesday the agency was investigating a referral from the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. State police confirmed they are assisting.
A spokesman at the Information Technologies Agency referred questions to the director of the Department of Health Professions, who did not immediately return telephone and e-mail messages from The Associated Press.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The hackers reportedly are seeking a $10 million ransom for their return.
The alleged security breach was reported on WikiLeaks, an online clearinghouse for anonymously leaked documents. The site said 8 million patient records and 35 million prescriptions were accessed.
While he did not provide details of the investigation, a spokesman for the FBI's Richmond office said Tuesday the agency was investigating a referral from the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. State police confirmed they are assisting.
A spokesman at the Information Technologies Agency referred questions to the director of the Department of Health Professions, who did not immediately return telephone and e-mail messages from The Associated Press.
1 Comments +
Popular Now in SciTech
- SpaceX Dragon returns to Earth, ends historic trip
- SpaceX capsule headed home after ISS mission
- Sex offenders fight for right to use Facebook
- Back-to-back asteroids harmlessly fly past Earth
- Google offers virtual tours of world famous sites
- Middle East virus sparks Israel speculation
- Facebook required for Spotify account, here's a trick
- Mac virus: What you need to know
- Cell phones monitoring radiation to sell in Japan
- NASA sets guidelines for private moon landings
- Jury to hear No Doubt's claims against game maker
- Apple MacBook Pro, iMac rumors: Ivy Bridge processor, USB 3, Retina Display
- Facebook launches Mideast office in Dubai
- It's "Manhattanhenge" time again
- Verizon to drop unlimited plans for 4G LTE
- 3D motion-control transforms the home computer
