Colonial pipeline ransom payment gives Biden instant relief but long term headaches.
Colonial Pipeline Paid Roughly $5 Million in Ransom to Hackers
The payment clears the way for gas to begin flowing again, but it risks emboldening other criminal groups to take American companies hostage by seizing control of their computers.
The ransom issue underscores a dilemma for the president as his administration confronts an increasing number of cyberattacks against government and industry. The company’s decision to pay the ransom may help Mr. Biden stanch the political fallout from rising gas prices and long lines at the pumps, but it emboldens other criminal groups or rogue states to take American companies hostage by seizing control of their computers.
NYT