A driver looks at a closed gas pump as stations from Florida to Virginia began running dry and prices at the pump rose, as the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline by hackers sparked buying panic by motorists, in Falls Church, Virginia, US, May 12, 2021.(Photo:Reuters)

Internal guidance sent on Thursday to US attorney's offices across the country said information about ransomware investigations in the field should be centrally coordinated with a recently created task force in Washington.

Last month, a cyber criminal group that the US authorities said operates from Russia, penetrated the pipeline operator on the US East Coast, locking its systems and demanding a ransom.

The hack caused a shutdown lasting several days, led to a spike in gas prices, panic buying and localized fuel shortages in the southeast.

Colonial Pipeline decided to pay the hackers who invaded their systems nearly 5 million USD to regain access, the company said.

The Justice Department guidance specifically refers to Colonial as an example of the "growing threat that ransomware and digital extortion pose to the nation."