May 13, 2021 02:19 PM EDT NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 12: Gas pumps are covered with plastic due to the station being sold out of gasoline on May 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Following a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, many gas stations on the east coast have faced shortages and a rush of customers fueling up. (Photo : Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) The Colonial Pipeline Co has been running one of the most critical pipelines servicing multiple states along the East Coast. But last week, a malicious ransomware attack forced the company to shut down some of its services in the area, leading to fears of shortage and an uptick in gas prices.