America Is Being Held for Ransom. It Needs to Fight Back.

Businesses attacked. Data stolen. Miles of pipeline shut down.  The scourge known as ransomware — in which hackers shut down electronic systems until a ransom is paid — is worse than ever. Over the past few months, these attacks have leaked sensitive government data, thwarted the operations of hundreds of businesses and even temporarily shut down one of the United States’ biggest oil pipelines. The newest cybergang on the street — Groove, a motley crew of criminals that has already leaked 500,000 private passwords — has taken to threatening President Biden directly. (It’s likely, of course, to be sheer bluster.  To really address the issue, the administration must develop an offensive strategy, too — and fight back.