tag | ransomware

A ransomware attack paralyzed the networks of at least 200 U.S. companies on Friday, according to a cybersecurity researcher whose company was responding to the incident.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies made it possible to extort huge ransoms from large companies, hospitals and city governments.

“What we don’t know is whether or not this is going to pave the way for future similar successes.”

“The Department of Justice has found and recaptured the majority of the ransom Colonial paid to the DarkSide network in the wake of last month’s ransomware attack,” Lisa Monaco, U.S. deputy attorney general, said during a press conference.

The cyberattack disabled computer systems responsible for fuel production from Texas to the northeast and now gas stations in the southeast are seeing panicked motorists lining up in droves to fill their tanks and jerrycans.

While insurers do not release information about ransom payments, ProPublica has found that they often accommodate attackers’ demands, even when alternatives such as saved backup files may be available.