Cyber experts see an increase in ransomware attacks during the pandemic Ransomware typically starts with an email that convinces a user to download a file, provide sensitive login information or otherwise grant access. Author: Brandon Lewis Updated: 5:33 PM PDT May 9, 2021 SAN DIEGO — Ransomware continues to hit companies large and small. Systems at Scripps Health remain unusable after a ransomware attack last week. On Saturday, the Colonia Pipeline company, which runs a fuel pipeline along the East Coast, said hackers also targeted their infrastructure. These types of attacks are hardly unique and cyber experts have seen an increase during the pandemic as workers connect remotely.