The WannaCry and Petya ransomware attacks were a huge wakeup call for healthcare organizations to update their security software. Unfortunately, hackers evolve at an incredible rate, and they’ve developed a new ‘Locky-like’ ransomware strain that can catch many in the healthcare industry off guard.

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The development of global ransomware attacks like WannaCry is a worrying trend for many computer users, especially for those with outdated Windows PCs. Fortunately, Microsoft is adding some much needed security features in Windows 10 to help keep users safe.

When a Microsoft product reaches its “end-of-life,” the tech developer no longer provides feature updates, technical assistance, and automatic fixes for that product. Support for Windows XP, for instance, ended in April 2014. That said, recent malware attacks have caused Microsoft to continue support for their outdated operating system.

Employees today are working under tight timelines, but thanks to bring your own device policies (BYOD), they can access critical files and applications using their mobile device and get work done from anywhere. But BYOD can be a double-edged sword to those not vigilant about cyber attacks.

Keeping up with HIPAA regulations may be a pain for most healthcare institutions, but it does provide guidelines on how to protect your organization from devastating cyberattacks. That said, following HIPAA rules may be your best shot in fending off ransomware like WannaCry.

A piece of malware known as Stegoloader continues to wreak havoc on healthcare companies that inadvertently download it under the guise of product keys. The malware steals information from infected machines and spreads itself through the compromised network.

Picture yourself receiving a phone call from kidnappers saying that they have snatched your only child while demanding a ridiculous amount of money for their safety. Now imagine a similar scenario, but this attack is geared towards Microsoft Office 365 users, complete with a ransom note and an audio message informing victims that their files have already been encrypted.

Ransomware is becoming a growing problem for the healthcare industry. And with around a dozen attacks on hospitals being reported since the beginning of the year, you may be wondering just how severe the problem is. Should you be alarmed? How can you protect your practice? Here’s an inside look at how the ransomware epidemic is affecting the US and Canadian healthcare systems.