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.
Building Sustainable Healthcare for an Aging Population
Froedtert ThedaCare Announces Opening of ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh
Touchmark Acquires The Hacienda at Georgetown Senior Living Facility
Contaminants Under Foot: A Closer Look at Patient Room Floors
Power Outages Largely Driven by Extreme Weather Events