Colonial Pipeline Restores Operation, $5 Million Ransom Demand

Colonial pipeline restores operation after attack by Darkside demand for $5 million ransom, causes a temporarily closed down the company’s operations.  

It was highlighted the successful cyber-attack on the colonial pipeline on Friday, 7 May, one of the U.S largest pipelines. The cyber attackers demand $5 million to recover their stolen data. Colonial pipeline is one of the largest pipelines that provides 45% of East Coast fuel. The pipeline operates in the United States. The ransom outbreak link to the Darkside. The ransom group is responsible for this attack.

The colonial pipeline is restored and started its operations after a week of the attack, said on Wednesday evening of 13 May. The law enforcement and security specialist swiftly pointed to Darkside’s underworld organization as they claimed responsibility for this outbreak. The FBI and other law enforcement do not want to agree to pay for them. But they do not have the backups and do not have time to recover by themselves. 

The ransom attacked colonial pipeline company business; the sensitive operational technology network that controls the pipeline is still saved. It affects the company, and also shutdown creates panic to buying and upcoming shortage of gasoline along the East Coast. Not only this but prices are also gone high in the U.S. 

Not all the gas stations back online after this attack. The company stated that the pipeline is operating at total capacity. But the things are normal as before the company trying to get on track and start usually. The wide-diameter pipeline from New Jersey and Houston to Linden demand for gasoline, jet fuel remain offline. The company is still planning to restart the system, but on the other hand, it happens when belief to do safely. Moreover, the company stated that a third party is investigating the nature of the attack. 

Due to the US Gulf were slow, the New York market is already tight for gasoline supplies. In different cities, the gas stations were down. In North Carolina, 68% of gas were out of gas fuel, 49% in Virginia, 45% in South Caroline, 18% in Florida, and 13% in Maryland gas stations had run dry. It seems they are struggling when restores operation. The company stated that we are focusing on safety before reopening all the online supplies. The researcher said that if the victims suddenly stopped paying ransoms, the attacks would be quickly eliminated. In the past few years, cyberattacks on small and large businesses are increased. 

Since Covid-19 the U.S FBI reported 300% increases in cybercrimes. All types of businesses that are targeted face this threat. Healthcare institutions have also come under this threat. The researching and improvements are still needed to reach these hackers. The biggest problem is that business could be completely destroyed if the victim does not pay the ransom, says Katie Nickels, director of intelligence at the security firm Red Canary.

The attack on the Colonial pipeline is not a new case in the history of cybercrimes. The trust issues are maybe built-in public eyes as they think about safety. President Biden is also looking for serious action to stop these cyberattacks after the Colonial pipeline.

Reference: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/colonial-pipeline-restores-operations-5-million-ransom-demanded/