Some criminals threaten patients, saying they will release their compromising medical information if they don't pay a ransom or make other concessions related to the crime. There are some known instances of hackers even threatening healthcare professionals with releasing patient data if they refuse treatment requests.

Criminals can use stolen healthcare data to lure individuals into becoming spies, insiders, or even cybercriminals themselves. This information can also be used to identify potential victims and exploit their vulnerabilities for personal gain.

Medical devices used for critical or life-saving procedures are often connected to the internet and exposed to a high risk of cyberattack. Hackers may target these devices for espionage or even damage to achieve their goals.

Doctors and health care practitioners are often the targets of ransomware attacks. In these attacks, criminals encrypt files on a victim's computer and demand an amount in exchange for unlocking them. This attack is particularly harmful because it can prevent access to patient’s health records and other vital healthcare information.