To Better Healthcare Technology Foundation (BHTF Insight) Supporters,
On the 30 May – 1 June, website security investigations with our website host indicated that our BHTF website was malware infected by a recent security breach of one of the sub-programs. The site was immediately shutdown to protect our viewers from infection whilst we took immediate action to arrange for the website program to be downloaded by our internet security support agent who then carried out a full cleansing of the BHTF software, and uploaded it again (1-5 June). A full audit to assess for any website damage, such as function or tampering of website data files, was conducted.
The newly cleaned website was found to be operable with no signs that could be detected of database tampering or attempts to seek money. The Foundation does not store sensitive information such as credit card details, mobile telephone details or personal addresses on the website. These forms of data are managed remotely through Stripe or Paypal with no link back via the gateway.
We save your name, email address and donation amount on the website for communication to you and for statistically monitoring website activities.We cannot definitively state whether the stored personal information was accessed. Therefore the Foundation Board has directed that the notification requirements regarding data breach published by the Australian Government, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) be followed. This requires us to advise you of the malware incident. This is to allow you the opportunity to properly assess any possible consequences and take protective action in response.
Cyber intrusion is a contemporary threat to all businesses and organisations. We appreciate the backing of our supporters and we hope that you recognise our effective response – a response that successfully minimises the risk of harm to our registrants and visiting viewers.
From assessing all aspects of the incident, such as the short period before discovery, the number of registrants and the limited personal data stored on the website, we recommend that donors and subscribers:
- Carry out a viral infection check of their hardware and software;
- Inspect for any unusual email occurrences received from 30 May to 5 June; and
- Change your email password.
Yours sincerely,
Lyn Oliver AM PhD MSc FACPSEM FAIP
Editor & Webmaster, Better Healthcare Technology website
Email: admin@betterhealthcaretechnology.org
Prof. Dale Bailey PhD FACPSEM FIPEM MRCP (Lond.) CSci(UK)
Chair, ACPSEM Foundation Ltd
19 June 2023
