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Hackers Attack Health and Human Services Computer System Hackers Attack Health and Human Services Computer System
(7 days later)
WASHINGTON — A crude effort by hackers to test the defenses of computer systems for the Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday evening escalated Monday, with administration officials saying they were investigating a significant increase in activity on the department’s cyberinfrastructure.WASHINGTON — A crude effort by hackers to test the defenses of computer systems for the Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday evening escalated Monday, with administration officials saying they were investigating a significant increase in activity on the department’s cyberinfrastructure.
But officials backed off earlier suggestions that a foreign power was behind the attack, coming as the nation and the world struggle to cope with the coronavirus.But officials backed off earlier suggestions that a foreign power was behind the attack, coming as the nation and the world struggle to cope with the coronavirus.
The incident appeared to be a particularly aggressive, if somewhat conventional, effort to scan the department’s networks for vulnerabilities, and perhaps to try to break into its email system. But while the effort set off alarms, given sensitivities around the work on the coronavirus, officials said they could not determine whether the action was the result of foreign actors or just hackers seizing on the moment to create chaos.The incident appeared to be a particularly aggressive, if somewhat conventional, effort to scan the department’s networks for vulnerabilities, and perhaps to try to break into its email system. But while the effort set off alarms, given sensitivities around the work on the coronavirus, officials said they could not determine whether the action was the result of foreign actors or just hackers seizing on the moment to create chaos.
The first reports came from White House officials, some of whom said that Iran may have been seeking revenge for American-led sanctions or for the U.S. drone strike in Iraq that killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the country’s most important military commander.The first reports came from White House officials, some of whom said that Iran may have been seeking revenge for American-led sanctions or for the U.S. drone strike in Iraq that killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the country’s most important military commander.
While some officials embraced that view, cyberexperts who examined the incident said it was little different than the thousands of routine attempts that companies and government agencies fend off daily, as hackers and security researchers scan the internet for weak spots.While some officials embraced that view, cyberexperts who examined the incident said it was little different than the thousands of routine attempts that companies and government agencies fend off daily, as hackers and security researchers scan the internet for weak spots.
The secretary of health and human services, Alex M. Azar II, told reporters at a news conference with President Trump on Monday that whatever happened had been unsuccessful.The secretary of health and human services, Alex M. Azar II, told reporters at a news conference with President Trump on Monday that whatever happened had been unsuccessful.
“Fortunately we have extremely strong barriers,” he said. “We had no penetration into our networks. We had no degradation of the functioning of our networks. We had no limitation of our capacity for people to telework.”“Fortunately we have extremely strong barriers,” he said. “We had no penetration into our networks. We had no degradation of the functioning of our networks. We had no limitation of our capacity for people to telework.”
Yet the incident rattled some senior officials, because it underscored how networks they have long ignored may be critical to the coronavirus response. Drug makers, hospitals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and supply chains for medical goods have now become part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, along with power grids and election systems.Yet the incident rattled some senior officials, because it underscored how networks they have long ignored may be critical to the coronavirus response. Drug makers, hospitals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and supply chains for medical goods have now become part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, along with power grids and election systems.
Two officials said government experts, from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Infrastructure and Security Agency and from intelligence agencies, were trying to find out the source of the incidents, and who was behind the attempted hack.Two officials said government experts, from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Infrastructure and Security Agency and from intelligence agencies, were trying to find out the source of the incidents, and who was behind the attempted hack.
One official said there was some intelligence that could be interpreted as indications that the hack was linked to Iran, but no evidence was cited. Others said there were many other possible explanations. One official said the intelligence so far was very thin and could point to many suspects, not all of them foreign.One official said there was some intelligence that could be interpreted as indications that the hack was linked to Iran, but no evidence was cited. Others said there were many other possible explanations. One official said the intelligence so far was very thin and could point to many suspects, not all of them foreign.
Even so, in a White House packed with officials who are hawkish on Iran, the intelligence was seized upon by some as likely indicating an attack from Tehran.Even so, in a White House packed with officials who are hawkish on Iran, the intelligence was seized upon by some as likely indicating an attack from Tehran.
At the same time, there are growing concerns about a torrent of misinformation affecting everyone from officials at the White House to doctors on the front lines combating the virus.At the same time, there are growing concerns about a torrent of misinformation affecting everyone from officials at the White House to doctors on the front lines combating the virus.
At emergency rooms in Los Angeles, doctors say they are trying to weed out truth from fiction on social media about how to diagnose coronavirus cases in the absence of tests, and under what circumstances they need to wear protective gear. They say they are spending a disproportionate amount of time scanning social media, trying to gather whatever information they can from anonymous posts by doctors in Seattle, New York and even Italy.At emergency rooms in Los Angeles, doctors say they are trying to weed out truth from fiction on social media about how to diagnose coronavirus cases in the absence of tests, and under what circumstances they need to wear protective gear. They say they are spending a disproportionate amount of time scanning social media, trying to gather whatever information they can from anonymous posts by doctors in Seattle, New York and even Italy.
“Right now, we are flying blind, sharing snippets from anonymous doctors over Facebook and Twitter,” said Jennifer Ellice, an emergency room doctor in Los Angeles. “We can’t wait for the usual evidence-based, peer-reviewed data in journals and professional association guidelines.”“Right now, we are flying blind, sharing snippets from anonymous doctors over Facebook and Twitter,” said Jennifer Ellice, an emergency room doctor in Los Angeles. “We can’t wait for the usual evidence-based, peer-reviewed data in journals and professional association guidelines.”
Dr. Ellice and her colleagues were pleading Monday for a technological platform, such as a mobile app, that could validate and authorize licensed physicians to share real-time information that would, for example, tell them whether emergency room patients showing extreme gastrointestinal distress may be stricken with the coronavirus.Dr. Ellice and her colleagues were pleading Monday for a technological platform, such as a mobile app, that could validate and authorize licensed physicians to share real-time information that would, for example, tell them whether emergency room patients showing extreme gastrointestinal distress may be stricken with the coronavirus.
Updated June 16, 2020 Updated June 22, 2020
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“We are making policy decisions by word of mouth,” Dr. Ellice said.“We are making policy decisions by word of mouth,” Dr. Ellice said.
Doctors say they were wading through misinformation — what World Health Organization officials call an “infodemic” of lies and rumors — in search of real-time information from doctors around the country.Doctors say they were wading through misinformation — what World Health Organization officials call an “infodemic” of lies and rumors — in search of real-time information from doctors around the country.
One of the challenges of sharing real-time medical information is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the federal regulations protecting patients’ confidential health information. The other is strict hospital policies on what employees can post on social media. As a result, doctors have been posting anonymously on Twitter and Facebook.One of the challenges of sharing real-time medical information is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the federal regulations protecting patients’ confidential health information. The other is strict hospital policies on what employees can post on social media. As a result, doctors have been posting anonymously on Twitter and Facebook.
As government officials tried to make sense of the unsuccessful intrusions at the Department of Health and Human Services, they were bracing for more serious cyberattacks and online threats.As government officials tried to make sense of the unsuccessful intrusions at the Department of Health and Human Services, they were bracing for more serious cyberattacks and online threats.
Over the past week, a series of fake websites for the World Health Organization and the C.D.C. have started to appear. Security researchers say they are witnessing nation-state hackers in China, as well as Eastern European cybercriminals, exploit the coronavirus panic with so-called phishing attacks. In those attacks, malware-laden updates about the coronavirus, or interactive infection maps, are sent out to employees at government agencies and across the private sector.Over the past week, a series of fake websites for the World Health Organization and the C.D.C. have started to appear. Security researchers say they are witnessing nation-state hackers in China, as well as Eastern European cybercriminals, exploit the coronavirus panic with so-called phishing attacks. In those attacks, malware-laden updates about the coronavirus, or interactive infection maps, are sent out to employees at government agencies and across the private sector.
As of Friday, the phishing campaigns were limited to countries in Asia, but security researchers worry that as infections spread in the United States, so too will hackers ready to exploit nationwide anxiety for their own motivations.As of Friday, the phishing campaigns were limited to countries in Asia, but security researchers worry that as infections spread in the United States, so too will hackers ready to exploit nationwide anxiety for their own motivations.
“This is broader than a nation-state issue,” said Adam Meyers, the head of threat intelligence for CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company. “The American public is beside themselves buying toilet paper. The big concern is criminals will exploit their fears for account fraud, wire fraud and ransomware.”“This is broader than a nation-state issue,” said Adam Meyers, the head of threat intelligence for CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company. “The American public is beside themselves buying toilet paper. The big concern is criminals will exploit their fears for account fraud, wire fraud and ransomware.”
David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg reported from Washington, and Nicole Perlroth from Palo Alto, Calif.David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg reported from Washington, and Nicole Perlroth from Palo Alto, Calif.