D.C. Police Department Victim Of Apparent Ransomware Attack

Potentially sensitive information from the Washington, D.C.'s police department was allegedly breached by a ransomware attack from a group seeking a payout.

A group called Babuk claimed to be behind the attack. On a post made on its website, the group threatened to release information pulled from the department's systems if they were not paid an undisclosed amount.

Screenshots of alleged arrest records and internal memos were posted on Babuk's website and re-shared online. Sensitive information was not revealed.

The frequency of ransomware attacks on hospitals and other multinational corporations has increased in recent years, according to Rob Pritchard, the founder of CyberSecurityExpert.com.

"It's modern organized crime effectively, operating multi-nationally and often out of jurisdictions that offer a degree of protection from international law enforcement operations either due to inability, indifference or corruption," he told NPR.

Criminal groups taking part in this activity realized just how effective it is at generating revenue for them, Pritchard said.