Hospital attacked by hackers

Hackers are demanding a sevenfigure ransom after paralysing the computer system of a Paris hospital.

The South Francilien Hospital Centre was hit last week when malicious software introduced by hackers prevented staff from accessing content on computers.

Doctors have had to write prescriptions by hand while the attack disrupted the sending of blood tests, scans and other medical examinations between departments.

An elite French police unit is now reportedly talking to the hackers and has negotiated the ransom down from €10 million to €1m. The French media has speculated that the hospital was attacked by a group thought to be based in Russia, though this remained unconfirmed.