Newly created task force targets ransomware attackers.
On Monday, the Justice Department announced that it had successfully reclaimed about half of the $4.4 million that had been paid in a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline last month. The Department’s Ransomware and Digital Extortion Task Force was able to trace the cryptocurrency payments and hack into the accounts holding the funds.
During the Justice Department’s announcement of the reclaimed funds, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said, “Following the money remains one of the most basic, yet powerful, tools we have. Ransom payments are the fuel that propels the digital extortion engine, and today’s announcement demonstrates that the United States will use all available tools to make these attacks more costly and less profitable for criminal enterprises.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For U.S. officials working to protect American infrastructure from future cyber attacks.
- For the president’s administration to support cybersecurity efforts.
- For the Justice Department as they seek to uphold federal law.
Sources: NPR, AP, CNN
