The state of Virginia found itself facing a ransom demand after an intruder alleged stole the private information of about 8 million people who are part of the state's prescription monitoring program.
The intruder supposedly encrypted the site's back up files and deleted the originals, and then demanded a $10 million ransom and gave the state 7 days to pay up or face having the record data sold to the highest bidder. The data reported includes names, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, etc.
In a message placed on the site's home page, the intruder heckled what must have been the FBI, who as a rule does not suggest anyone pay ransoms. The intruder wrote "Now I hear tell the F***ing Bunch of Idiots ain't fond of payin out, but I suggest that policy be turned right the fuck around."
So that's what the state of Virginia did - but with a twist. Instead of paying the ransom they've reportedly offered a very substantial reward to any who can provide information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrator.
You can see the original ransom demand at Wikileaks
