In a new report on the state of healthcare data security, Malwarebytes reports that cyber criminals can use patient data to create "synthetic identities" according to an article on the Tech Republic website.
Synthetic identities are new, unique identities built from amalgamations of data taken from various individual records.
They can use this new identity to buy medical equipment, prescription drugs, get medical services, or even "combine a patient number with a made-up name of a health provider to file medical insurance claims," the report said.
Cyber criminals have even used x-ray machines to launch malware attacks.
From Vacant to Vital: Adaptive Reuse of Retail Spaces
Community Health Network Falls Victim to Data Breach
Hudson Regional Health Launches 4-Hospital System
Must Know Recalls of 2025
Sustainability as a Baseline in Healthcare Facilities