Hackers Publish Photos Of Cancer Patients From PA Hospital

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA — A group of hackers believed to be associated with Russia have published photographs of cancer patients at a Pennsylvania hospital to the dark web.

The hacker group known as "BlackCat" targeted a physician's practice called Delta Medix in Lackawanna County, which is part of the Lehigh Valley Health Network. Patients in the photos were receiving radiation oncology treatment, officials said.

"This unconscionable criminal act takes advantage of patients receiving cancer treatment, and LVHN condemns this despicable behavior," the healthcare organization said in a statement this week.

Lehigh Valley refused to pay the ransom requested by BlackCat, also known as ALPHV. The group had been threatening to publish the photos to their "blog" for weeks. They claimed that they had nude photos and sensitive personal data.

"You time is running out," the group said, according to a copy of an email obtained by malware experts and hacker analysts vx-underground. "We are ready to unleash our full power on you."

It's unclear what sum the group requested from Lehigh Valley.

The hacked information includes three images, as well as seven documents containing patient information, according to Lehigh Valley Live.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued formal warnings about BlackCat in December, calling their attacks "advanced." The same group has been responsible for multiple hacks of other healthcare and academic networks around the world, federal officials said.