The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is investigating the ransomware attack on information technology company Mercury IT.

It's potentially compromising sensitive data for clients including Business NZ, the Nurses Organisation and the Ministry of Justice.

AUT computer expert Kenneth Johnson told Mike Hosking data is being compiled throughout the world about the motivation of these attacks, who is doing them and why.

He says they hope this provides more information about how these attackers behave, which will aid people in defending against them.

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