Ransomware Attack Locks Eyecare Practice’s Computer Systems for Over 2 Weeks

BEAVER TOWNSHIP, OH — A ransomware attack left Eye Care Associates Inc. without the use of its computer systems for more than two weeks.

Hackers hit the systems on July 28, The Business Journal of Youngstown, OH, reports. The publication reported on Aug. 14 that, according to Mary Jo Sierra, director of operations for the practice, the systems were expected to be restored “in the next day or two.”

Eyecare Shenanigans

Eyecare Shenanigans: 2023’s Top Optometry Articles in Invision Magazine

INVISION Podcast

Bringing Independent ECPs Into the 21st Century With the Technology Solutions a Modern Eyecare Business Needs

INVISION Podcast

The Making of Bespoke Eyewear, An Acetate Kitchen and Collecting Famous People’s Heads

A report filed with the Beaver Township Police Department stated that “unknown computer hacking software had taken control of the entire Eye Care Associates computer system and locked them out until unknown ransom was paid.”

The police report said the system was infected with a virus that appeared to have originated in North Korea.

The practice chose not to reply that would tell them how much they must pay to regain access to the computer system, the Business Journal reports.

“Once the directors of Eye Care Associates were told that there were valid backup copies [of the data], they decided to restore the system on a brand-new environment,” Ronald Lipinski of Global Business Solutions Corp., which handles data storage and backups for the practice, was quoted saying.

The attack was disruptive for the ophthalmology and optometry practice. One patient told the Business Journal that he called for an appointment and was told that it could not be set because the computer system was down.

Read more at The Business Journal