Russians Have Hacked Dozens Of US Energy Companies, Researchers Say
Source: Buzzfeed News
A hacker group linked to the Russian government has acquired an unprecedented level of access to companies that supply power to the US power grid, a cybersecurity firm says.
Symantec, a California-based firm that provides cybersecurity services and worldwide research against online threats, says the group, which its nicknamed Dragonfly 2.0, may have compromised more than a dozen American companies in recent months.
This is the first time weve seen this scale, this aggressiveness, and this level of penetration in the US, for sure, Eric Chien, technical director of Symantecs Security Technology & Response Division, told BuzzFeed News.
Its not uncommon for nation-state hackers to penetrate administrative and business networks of energy companies in the US or elsewhere. But Dragonfly has gained access to multiple operational networks in the US, Symantec says, an unprecedented level of compromise. Previously, such penetrations are known to have happened only in places like Ukraine, where hackers once remotely turned off circuit breakers, leaving nearly a quarter million people without power; Russians are also suspected in that incident, though theres no evidence the same attackers are behind Dragonfly.
Read more: https://www.buzzfeed.com/kevincollier/russians-have-hacked-dozens-of-us-energy-companies?utm_term=.nnKlz7XDOV#.pi3GKdvZXN
Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)they are too damn busy fine-tuning their republican lies on climate chaos, and their plans to change the tax code so there are more fabulous, golden, delicious, gourmet republican Tax Cuts for the Rich.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)whatever's needed to weather heat and cold, and communications ability in most households, BUT EVEN TWO MONTHS, would tremendously strengthen our national position.
Defending America would always have to start at home, even if governments were always what we needed them to be.
Happy shopping. I recommend stocking up heavily on things you'll eat anyway. Rice lasts forever, beans not as long, but together they form complete proteins. Don't forget salt -- it is essential to life. And multivitamins.
Got a bicycle? No? Pick one up at a garage sale, fix the tires, and tuck it in the shed. Paper maps. And don't forget, your local governments will be immediately enacting their emergency plans. Look to them for what they will do for you, whether it suits you or not, and what you can do to help your community.
underpants
(183,405 posts)They've been using the Ukraine as a test run for the last year and a half. It's just a matter of time.
TeapotInATempest
(804 posts)Controlling our power grid is another way to control the U.S.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Let the "for profit" Corporation find and ask for charges against persons who hack their company computers. AND PAY FOR ANY 'damages" consumers suffer.
And pay for any assistance they 'need' from American citizens- OURFederal government.
For way to long Corporations have expected welfare money from OUR government- when their stocks, their fab profits show they don't NEED government welfare!
byronius
(7,427 posts)TeapotInATempest
(804 posts)However, I don't think they have any idea what a compromised energy grid could mean to them.
The thing is, our energy infrastructure has always been vulnerable to these types of attacks and little has been done over the years to improve the situation (think default passwords that don't get changed, unpatched software vulnerabilities, etc.). It was only a matter of time before someone decided to hack it. I think it's just very unfortunate - and suspicious - that it's happening now.
elmac
(4,642 posts)and it will under dumpf, are enemies will shut us down day one, no energy, no internet, no nothing.
TeapotInATempest
(804 posts)And a segment of the U.S. population has been hoarding guns and survival supplies such as canned food for some time now. Your scenario is not going to end well for most of us.
TBA
(825 posts)If he can blackmail us with the power grid he no longer needs him.
TeapotInATempest
(804 posts)And a very worrisome one.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)That's what dick freaking cheney concluded, along with all 17 US Intelligence Agencies. The acts of war did not end with the illegitimate election of Comrade Casino, but have been ongoing.
And the freaking republicans are letting it happen. They refuse to take a stand or to defend America. Sad. Deplorable. Deplorably sad.