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Russian hackers posted Sea-Tac files to 'dark website,' airport director tells Congress

caption: Planes lineup for runway clearance at Sea-Tac International Airport.
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Planes lineup for runway clearance at Sea-Tac International Airport.

Suspected Russian hackers are posting data stolen from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on the dark web, according to Aviation Managing Director Lance Lyttle.

Lyttle testified today before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which is chaired by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

Lyttle said the hacker group Rhysida stole the data during a widely publicized cyberattack in August that resulted in the shutdown of some airport systems.

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On Monday, according to Lyttle, the hackers posted on "their dark website" a copy of eight files stolen from Port of Seattle systems and are seeking a ransom of 100 bitcoin to buy back the data. A hundred bitcoin is worth about $6 million.

Lyttle said the Port has refused to pay the ransom.

He said they also encrypted some of the stolen files, the nature of which he did not specify.

RELATED: How to protect yourself from data breaches

"We are currently reviewing the files on the leak site as well as others that we believe were copied," he said.

Lyttle said that the Port will notify anyone whose personal information has been compromised.

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