EXPLAINER: Why the Colonial Pipeline hack matters

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. U.S. officials said Monday that the “ransomware” malware used in the attack didn’t spread to the critical systems that control the pipeline’s operation. U.S. officials say there’s is no evidence the Kremlin directly benefits from ransomware though Russian security services tolerate and sometimes even employ these cybercriminals. Biden has already announced sanctions against Russia for the SolarWinds hack and U.S. election interference, although many experts don’t believe them adequate to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin Biden said he planned to raise the issue of Russia’s providing safe haven for cybercriminals when he meets with Putin, reportedly next month. The FBI discourages payment, but the task force said a ban would be a mistake as long as many potential targets remain “woefully unprepared,” apt to go bankrupt if they can’t pay.