How the Colonial Pipeline hack is part of a growing ransomware trend in the US

Cybercriminals have attacked solar power firms, water treatment plants and police departments in attempts to extort money

The wider American public was afforded an unwanted glimpse into the wild west world of ransomware this week, after a cyber-attack crippled Colonial Pipeline, causing fuel shortages across the eastern seaboard and states of emergency to be declared in four states.

But experts warn that ransomware attacks - which are part-ransom, part-blackmail, part-invocation of squatters' rights - are becoming more frequent, while the mostly Russia-based hackers are growing more sophisticated with their methods.