A ransomware attack has spread from a Colorado MSP (managed IT services provider) through remote access software to more than 100 dentistry practices, KrebsOnSecurity reports.
The ransomware attack apparently hit Complete Technology Solutions of Englewood, Colorado, though the MSP has not commented about the situation, and MSSP Alert has not independently confirmed the report.
The attack apparently involved remote access software that did not have two-factor authentication (2FA) activated. Black Talon Security of Katonah, New York has been assisting some of the dental practices with the recovery effort, KrebsOnSecurity added in a December 8 update.
Dentist offices remain a prime target for ransomware attacks because the businesses are generally profitable and have mission critical applications like electronic health records (EHR), imaging and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Amid that reality, PerCSoft, a Wisconsin company that provides an online data backup service for dental offices, suffered a ransomware attack in August 2019. The ransomware encrypted files for approximately 400 U.S. dental offices.
FBI Ransomware Warnings to MSPs
The FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security have repeatedly warned MSPs and their technology platform providers about such attacks.
Although MSPs and their software providers have generally raised their defenses in 2019, attacks have continued and some corners of the MSP industry now face a “crisis of credibility, ChannelE2E and MSSP Alert believe.
Still, more signs of progress are emerging. Thousands of MSPs are activating two-factor authentication as a means to stop hackers from entering systems. In many cases, software providers are activating 2FA as a default setting. And increasingly, the 2FA setting is mandatory.
Still, 2FA isn't a cure-all for ransomware attack mitigation.
MSPs Fighting Ransomware: Basic First Steps
To get ahead of the ransomware threat, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E have recommended that readers:
