The American Hospital Association is pointing hospitals and health systems to an FBI alert warning that hackers connected to the Iranian government are trying to commit cyberattacks via Telegram.
“The FBI said the cyber actors are using the Telegram messaging app to push malware targeting individuals and groups globally, which has resulted in data leaks and reputational harm for victims,” the AHA stated March 23. “The FBI said it issued the alert due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.”
An Iran-linked hacking group claimed responsibility for the March 11 cyberattack of medtech company Stryker, and the FBI later shut down domains associated with the cybercriminals.
In its March 20 notice, the FBI recommended that organizations ensure devices are updated regularly, download software only from official sources like app stores and company websites, enable and run antivirus and antimalware software, use strong passwords and multifactor authentication, and report suspicious emails or messages to the client.
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