Hackers target Sacramento transit agency

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) recently experienced a cyberattack that erased key pieces of data from the agency's computers, The Sacramento Bee reported.

The hack last weekend erased certain components of computer programs that affect internal operations, such as the ability to use computers to dispatch employees, according to the newspaper.

Although SacRT took its website offline, bus and rail service hasn't been affected. The hacker has threatened to do more damage if the agency doesn't pay a ransom of one bitcoin, estimated to be worth around $8,000. SacRT hasn't responded to the hacker's demand.

"SacRT was the victim of a cyber ransom attack over the weekend. Network damage was limited, and no personal data was compromised," SacRT officials said on Twitter. "As we verify apps and services are safe, they will be brought online."

Last night, agency officials tweeted that the website and mobile webpage have been brought online.

In fall 2016, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency endured a similar ransomware attack.