'Ransomeware' virus strikes SMS hospital in Jaipur

New Delhi: The Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has become the latest victim of a 'Ransomware' virus that has affected a wide range of services worldwide by locking your systems to prevent you from accessing your data until you pay a ransom.

As per reports, a 'ransomeware virus' attack on the online system of the SMS hospital on Thursday has led to disruption of a wide range of services, including, the registration, blood test and lab reports.

Hospital staff reported that the day began with the computers working normally, however, at around 9 a.m. the systems stopped functioning all of a sudden.

Later, an investigation launched by the the IT team found out that it was a ransomeware virus attack, which has affected the functioning of the systems and brought the entire services in the hospital to a standstill.

Although the hospital administration took prompt action and made alternate arrangement following the virus attack, many patients had to leave without getting treatment.

At around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, the problem was fixed by the IT team, who said that the files in most computers were not corrupted, although the access to them was blocked.

Dr DS Meena, SMS hospital superintendent said the data of the hospital is safe, it has not been affected., adding that the situation is now under control.

Earlier in May this year, the 'WannaCry ransomware' attack, which devastated the UK's National Health Service (NHS), infected 200,000 machines in 150 countries.

The virus, which took control of users' files and demanded payment to allow access, forced many Britain hospitals to cancel treatments, appointments, and even compel emergency rooms to turn people away.