Technology

Hospital cyberattacks threaten patient safety

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2026

Hospital cyberattacks threaten patient safety

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

If you watched a recent episode of “The Pitt” on Max, a streaming medical drama about life inside a high-pressure emergency department, you saw how quickly a hospital can spiral during a cyberattack. It made for gripping television. But in Mississippi, it was not a script. It was real life.

After a ransomware attack hit the University of Mississippi Medical Center, clinics across the state closed. Elective procedures were canceled. Phone systems and emails went down. Emergency care continued, but access to electronic medical records was disrupted.

When a hospital’s systems fail, the impact goes far beyond IT. It affects real people waiting for care. That is why hospital cyberattacks are no longer just a tech problem. They are a public safety issue.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

FIGURE DATA BREACH EXPOSES NEARLY 1M ACCOUNTS

A ransomware attack can lock hospital systems in seconds, disrupting access to critical medical records and patient care. (iStock)

Why hospitals have become prime targets

Hospitals cannot afford downtime. When systems fail, patient care is immediately affected, and the pressure to restore operations is intense. Ricardo Amper, founder and CEO of Incode Technologies, a digital identity verification and biometric authentication company, explains the reality.

“Hospitals are in a uniquely difficult position. If systems go down, patient care is immediately affected. That creates real pressure to restore operations fast, which is why ransomware groups often target healthcare.” He points to another major factor driving hospital cyberattacks. “Hospitals hold some of the most sensitive data that exists, including medical records, identity information and insurance details. That combination of urgency and high-value data makes them very attractive targets.”

Healthcare systems also rely on vendors and service providers. One weak link can open the door. “In healthcare, you’re only as secure as the entire ecosystem around you,” Amper said.

How AI-powered impersonation is changing the game

Many people imagine hackers breaking through firewalls. That still happens. But today, attackers often target people instead of systems. “What we’re seeing more and more is that attacks aren’t always about breaking into systems, they’re about tricking people,” Amper said.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made impersonation easier and scalable. Criminals can clone voices, generate convincing emails or create deepfake videos that appear to come from a trusted doctor, vendor or IT administrator. “AI doesn’t replace social engineering, it supercharges it.”

In practical terms, that might mean an employee receives what looks like a legitimate request to reset a password or approve a login. One click can open the door. “An employee is tricked into giving up credentials or approving a fraudulent authentication request. The attacker logs in as a legitimate user, and from there, they move quietly through internal systems,” Amper explained. Because the activity appears to come from a real employee, it may go undetected until significant damage is done.

5 MYTHS ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT THAT PUT YOUR DATA AT RISK

Healthcare workers operate in high pressure environments, which makes social engineering and impersonation attacks more effective. (Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images)

Why hospitals are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks

Inside a hospital, speed matters. Decisions happen quickly, and staff move from one urgent task to the next. That constant pressure creates opportunities for attackers who rely on deception. “Healthcare professionals are focused on patients, not cybersecurity. They work in high-pressure environments where speed matters. That urgency can make it easier for attackers to exploit trust or distraction,” Amper said.

Many hospitals also operate with legacy systems layered over time. Security was often added after the fact rather than built in from the start. That complexity increases risk. He also challenges how leaders think about the problem. “One misconception is thinking of cybersecurity as just an IT problem,” Amper said.

Today’s hospitals depend on digital systems for intake, diagnostics and billing. When those systems fail, care delivery suffers. “Cybersecurity today is fundamentally about operational resilience. It’s about keeping the hospital running safely and continuously.”

What happens to your data after a breach

When a hospital is breached, the exposed data often goes beyond a credit card number. “Breaches can expose medical histories, Social Security numbers, insurance information, billing details and contact data,” Amper said.

That combination is powerful. Criminals can use it for identity fraud, insurance fraud and highly targeted scams. Unlike a credit card, a medical identity cannot simply be replaced. “Stolen medical data can’t simply be canceled and replaced. That makes it especially valuable and long-lasting in criminal markets.”

The impact may not show up right away. “The impact isn’t always immediate; it can surface months or even years later.”

When hospital networks are breached, sensitive medical histories, identity details and insurance data can be exposed for years. (iStock)

How hospitals can strengthen defenses

Identity now sits at the center of cybersecurity. “Identity has become the front line of cybersecurity. If an attacker can successfully impersonate a trusted user, many traditional defenses can be bypassed,” Amper said. Stronger identity verification, layered authentication and systems that can detect impersonation or deepfakes are becoming essential. The more certain a hospital is about who is accessing its systems, the harder it becomes for attackers to move quietly.

How to check if your information is on the dark web

After a hospital breach, many patients worry about whether their data has been sold or shared. One simple step is checking whether your email address appears in known data breaches. You can visit haveibeenpwned.com and enter your email address into the search bar. The site will show whether your information has appeared in past breaches tied to that email. If your email appears in a breach, take action immediately. Change passwords for affected accounts and make sure each account uses a unique password.

What patients should do after a hospital breach

If you receive a breach notification letter, do not panic. But do act. Amper offers clear guidance. “First, stay calm but take it seriously. Read the notice carefully and enroll in any credit or identity monitoring services offered.”

Then take practical steps right away:

Review insurance statements for unfamiliar claims
Check medical records for incorrect diagnoses or procedures
Monitor your credit reports
Consider placing a free credit freeze with the major credit bureaus if your Social Security number was exposed
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on email, financial and healthcare accounts wherever it is available
Be cautious of emails or calls referencing the breach
Reducing the amount of personal information available on data broker sites with a data removal service can also limit how easily scammers craft convincing follow-up attacks using your real details. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

“If something feels off, contact the hospital directly using official contact information. Don’t rely on links or numbers provided in unexpected messages.” He adds one final reminder. “Take your medical identity as seriously as your financial identity. Monitor your records, question anything unfamiliar and stay alert.”

Protect your accounts from long-term damage

Even if everything appears normal right now, take steps to secure your accounts. Credential leaks often surface weeks or months later.

Consider identity theft protection. Identity monitoring services can alert you if criminals try to open accounts in your name or misuse your personal information. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com
Stop reusing passwords immediately. If attackers gain access to one working login, they often test it across dozens of websites automatically.
Change reused passwords first, starting with email, financial and cloud accounts. Each account should have its own unique password.
Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong passwords securely. You can also use breach scanning tools that alert you if your email address or passwords appear in future leaks. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
Install strong antivirus software on your devices to help detect malware, phishing links and credential-stealing threats that could target you after a breach. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

Taking these steps now can prevent a hospital breach from turning into long-term identity damage later.

Kurt’s key takeaways

When hospital cyberattacks disrupt care, the consequences ripple across entire communities. Appointments get canceled. Surgeries are delayed. Families worry. This is not only about stolen records. It is about trust in the healthcare system. Technology has transformed medicine. It has also created new risks. The challenge now is building resilience into every layer of care. Because the next cyberattack will not feel like a TV episode. It will feel personal.

And that raises an uncomfortable question. If your local hospital went offline tomorrow, would you trust that your medical identity and your care are truly protected? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Related Topics:cybercrime Featured Hackers Security

Click to comment

Technology

Crimson Desert dev apologizes for use of AI art

Published

8 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Crimson Desert dev apologizes for use of AI art

Reviews of Crimson Desert have been mixed, but the bigger issue for the game has been the discovery of what appeared to be AI-generated assets in the final release. Now the developer has acknowledged that AI art was indeed used during the game’s creation, but says that it was intended to be replaced before release. In a statement on X, the company said it was conducting a “comprehensive audit” to identify and replace any AI-generated content.

The company apologized for both its inclusion in the final release and for not being more transparent about its use during development. “We should have clearly disclosed our use of AI,” it said.

The use of generative AI in gaming has become a hot-button issue of the last couple of years as it’s made its way into several high-profile titles. While some large studios have embraced it, many smaller developers have revolted against the trend, proudly proclaiming their games to be “AI free.”

Technology

YouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast

Published

9 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

YouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Most of us have received a random text that makes us pause for a second. Maybe it promises a prize. Maybe it claims to be from a delivery company. Lately, another type of message is spreading quickly: the remote job scam.

That is exactly what happened to Peter from New York. He wrote in after receiving a suspicious message about a high-paying YouTube job.

Here is what he sent:

“I received this text today, and I think it’s a scam. How can I tell for sure, and what do I do next?”

Below is the message Peter received. At first glance, it looks like a job opportunity. However, when you break it down line by line, several warning signs appear. Let’s walk through them.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

FAKE GOOGLE SECURITY PAGE CAN TURN YOUR BROWSER INTO A SPYING TOOL

A suspicious text message promises up to $10,000 a month for boosting YouTube video views. Offers like this are a common sign of a job scam. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Red flag 1: A random job offer from a stranger

The text comes from an unknown international phone number starting with +63, which is the country code for the Philippines. Legitimate companies rarely recruit through random text messages from unknown numbers. Real employers usually contact candidates through job platforms, email or professional networks like LinkedIn. When a job appears out of nowhere and promises high pay, it should immediately raise suspicion.

Red flag 2: The pay is wildly unrealistic

The message claims:

$200 to $600 per day
$10,000 or more per month

Those numbers are a major warning sign. Entry-level remote work, such as “boosting video views” or “YouTube optimization,” does not pay anywhere near that range. Scammers often use unusually high pay to trigger excitement and urgency. When money sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Red flag 3: No experience required but huge income

The text says “no experience required, free paid training provided.” Scammers often combine high income with zero qualifications. That combination is designed to attract as many people as possible.

Real digital marketing jobs usually require:

SEO or marketing experience
Analytics knowledge
Platform expertise

A company offering $10K per month with no requirements is not realistic.

BE AWARE OF EXTORTION SCAM EMAILS CLAIMING YOUR DATA IS STOLEN

Scammers often claim no experience is required and that training is provided. The goal is to lure you in quickly before you start asking questions. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Red flag 4: The job description is vague

The text claims the job is to “increase video exposure and view count.”

That description is extremely vague. It does not explain:

What tools you would use
What company you would work for
How the work is measured

Scam job offers often stay vague so they can adapt the story later.

Red flag 5: Pressure to respond immediately

The message says: “5 urgent openings available, first come first served.” This is a classic scam tactic. Urgency pushes people to respond quickly before they have time to research the offer. Real companies rarely hire qualified candidates on a first-come basis through text messages.

Red flag 6: The strange reply instructions

The message tells recipients to reply “OK” and then send a numeric code. This step is often used to move the conversation to another messaging platform, such as Telegram or WhatsApp, where scammers continue the scheme. Once the conversation moves there, victims may be asked to:

Complete fake tasks
Send cryptocurrency
Pay deposits for “training”

These scams are often called task scams, where victims complete simple online tasks and may even receive small payments at first before scammers demand larger deposits for payouts that never come. They have exploded worldwide over the past few years.

Red flag 7: No company information

The message never names a real company. It mentions a “manager” named Goldie but provides:

No company website
No corporate email
No office address

Legitimate employers want applicants to know who they are. Scammers avoid details that can be verified.

How these YouTube job scams usually work

Many of these scams follow the same pattern. First, scammers promise easy money for simple tasks lsuch as liking videos or boosting views. At the beginning, they may even send a small payment to build trust. Then things change. Victims are asked to deposit money to unlock larger payouts or complete “premium tasks.” Once payments are sent, the scammers disappear. The Federal Trade Commission says Americans lost hundreds of millions of dollars to job scams in recent years, and text message recruitment scams are rising fast.

Google warns about growing job scams and how to verify recruiters

We reached out to Google, and a spokesperson provided the following statement to CyberGuy:

“Google is aware of these job scams happening across the industry and believes they’re growing around the world. We strongly encourage any candidate, or individual receiving them, to exercise caution and report it to the platform you received it on as a phishing attempt and/or spam. Our recruiting team focuses on contacting candidates in official capacities and are very clear about who we are, why we’re reaching out, and do so from legitimate emails or profiles on job sites. Jobseekers should verify anyone contacting them by email addresses, looking up the person online, such as on LinkedIn, and if something does seem suspicious, flag it to the outlet where it was received. Folks can also vet and report these scams to Google at support.google.com. Our Google careers page reflects all of our current job postings, so candidates should check offers against those. Generally speaking, Google also continues to offer a range of tools and insights that help people automatically spot and avoid scams like these whether they receive them via email, search results, text messages, etc.”

FAKE GOOGLE GEMINI AI PUSHES ‘GOOGLE COIN’ CRYPTO SCAM

Messages that push you to reply immediately or move the conversation to apps like Telegram or WhatsApp are a major red flag. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Ways to stay safe from job text scams

If you receive a message like Peter’s, here are some smart steps to take.

1) Never respond to unknown job texts

Replying confirms your number is active. That can lead to more scam messages.

2) Do not click links or download attachments

Scam texts sometimes include links that lead to phishing pages designed to steal login credentials or financial information. Install strong antivirus software on your devices, which can help detect malicious links, block dangerous websites and warn you before you open something risky. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

3) Reduce how easily scammers can find your information

Scammers often harvest phone numbers and personal details from data broker sites and public profiles. Using a data removal service to remove your information from these sites can make it harder for criminals to target you with job scams and other fraud. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

4) Research the company independently

Search for the company name online. Look for an official website, verified social media or job listings.

5) Avoid jobs that ask for money

Legitimate employers never require deposits for training, equipment or task access.

6) Block and report the number

You can report scam texts directly from your phone.

On iPhone:

Open the message, tap the phone number at the top of the screen, scroll down and select Block Contact. You can also tap Report Spam under the message. If the option appears, then click Delete and Report Spam, which sends the report to Apple and deletes the message.

On Samsung Galaxy phones:

Steps may vary slightly depending on your Samsung model and software version.

Open the Messages app and select the conversation. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then tap Block and report spam, then confirm by tapping Yes. This blocks the number and helps Samsung identify and filter future scam messages.

7) Report it to the FTC

In the United States, you can report scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Reports help investigators track large scam networks.

So what should Peter do next?

The safest move is simple. Peter should not reply to the message. Instead, he should block the number and report it as spam. If he has already responded, he should stop communicating immediately and avoid clicking any links or sending money. If he shared personal information such as his phone number, email address or financial details, it may also be wise to monitor his accounts closely and consider signing up for an identity theft protection service. The good news is that spotting the red flags early can prevent a much bigger problem later. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Scammers constantly adapt their tactics. Today, it might be a fake delivery notice. Tomorrow, it might be a high-paying remote job. The message Peter received hits many of the classic warning signs: unrealistic pay, vague job duties, urgent language and a request to reply quickly. When a stranger promises easy money through a random text message, pause for a moment. That short pause can save you a lot of trouble.

Now I am curious. If a text suddenly promised you $10,000 a month for simple online tasks, would you recognize the warning signs before replying? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

Technology

Halide co-founder is suing former partner Sebastiaan de With for taking source code to Apple

Published

20 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Halide co-founder is suing former partner Sebastiaan de With for taking source code to Apple

Lux Optics co-founder Sebastiaan de With made headlines when he joined Apple in late January. The company was behind Halide, one of the most popular photography apps for the iPhone, which gained a cult following for its robust pro-level controls.

Apple was apparently a big enough fan that it tried to acquire the developer last summer. Those talks never bore fruit, and eventually the company simply hired de With. At the time, it was widely believed that Apple had poached him from Lux. But new allegations from a lawsuit filed by co-founder Ben Sandofsky in the California Superior Court of Santa Cruz claim de With was fired for financial misconduct in December of 2025.

According to The Information, the suit “accuses de With of improperly using more than $150,000 in Lux corporate funds to pay for personal expenses,” as well as “taking Lux source code and confidential material with him when he joined Apple.”

An attorney for de With denied those claims and said that “The attempt to insert Apple into this dispute appears designed to create leverage and attract attention.“