Hackers have stolen the data of celeb cosmetic surgery and are threatening to publish patients' before and after photos, among other details.
The Hospital Group, which is a favourite amongst reality TV stars and celebs, has confirmed the ransomware attack. The data reveal is pretty enormous – 900 Gigs of intimate client data. The clinic trades under the ‘Transform' brand and they have 11 clinics around the UK. They are very well known for their weight loss surgery which has helped many a celeb on their Instagram journey. The clinic said it had informed the Information Commissioner of the breach.
On its darknet webpage, the hacker group known as REvil said the “intimate photos of customers” were “not a completely pleasant sight”. That leaves a lot of images to the imagination. REvil, also known as Sodinokibi, is one of the most prolific ransomware groups. Its high-profile victims include currency exchange Travelex and entertainment law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks.
Famous personalities tummies, boobs and nether regions before their transformations might not be such a pretty sight. Many household names will have had their Xmas disturbed on learning that a cosmetic surgery database hacked recently contained their personal details.
This is not the first time a celeb cosmetic surgery clinic has been hit by hackers, 3 years ago the LBPS was hit with a similar intrusion. Hackers love to hit confidential information that might embarrass wealthy people. The most famous ransomware hack was directed at the adultery site Ashley Madison which threatened to expose sexual misdemeanours. Intimate photos of celebs who have shed lots of weight and told their fans it was through gym workouts or special diet plans might now have to admit to gastric sleeves and liposuction.
Former Big Brother contestant Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace told Zoo magazine about her breast enhancement surgery with The Hospital Group in 2009.
Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona, Shameless actress Tina Malone and reality TV star Joey Essex from The Only Way is Essex have openly endorsed the clinic. There are, of course, countless celebs and wannabes who have not spoken of their procedures and might think that it is worth paying to keep it quiet.
The Hospital Group said in a statement: “We can confirm that our IT systems have been subject to a data security breach. None of our patients' payment card details has been compromised but at this stage, we understand that some of our patients' personal data may have been accessed.” Well, I don't suppose it will reassure the patients that their credit card details are safe. New cards can be issued and transactions blocked. But what can't be so easily waved away are explicit photos of nipple adjustments and (heaven forbid) ‘designer vaginas' floating about on the dark web with a major cosmetic surgery database hacked.
The company said it had emailed all its customers about the cyber-attack and would contact individuals who might have had more personal details compromised.
We will update you as more information becomes available.
Admin is Blogger David Miller FRSA. M.Sc A respected British journalist based in Helsinki Finland. David's portfolio is at http://livewire.pressfolios.com/ David is contactable via the site or at david@dmiller.co.uk
