Hackers Demand $6M in Bitcoin From Sea-Tac

Hackers have demanded $6 million in bitcoin from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after stealing sensitive documents last month and posting them on the dark web this week, according to an airport official. The Port of Seattle, which operates the airport, has declined to pay the ransom. The FBI has launched an investigation into the attack linked to the Rhysida ransomware gang, as stated by Lance Lyttle, the port's managing director of aviation.

Lyttle informed a US Senate committee that the airport managed to halt the cyberattack, though the hackers succeeded in encrypting some data. He revealed that eight files had been posted on a dark website on Monday, with the attackers seeking 100 bitcoin for the data. Lyttle said the airport would reach out to any individuals whose private information might have been compromised.

The cyberattack, which began on August 24, occurred during a busy travel period leading up to Labor Day. This incident disrupted airport operations, affecting ticketing, check-in kiosks and baggage handling, and compelled passengers on smaller airlines to use paper boarding passes. The Port of Seattle emphasized that paying the ransom would not be a prudent use of taxpayer funds. Rhysida was previously linked to a data breach in Columbus, Ohio, where no ransom demand was made. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)