Homeland Security official: Russian government actors potentially tried to hack election systems in
People connected to the Russian government tried to hack election-related computer systems in 21 states, a Department of Homeland Security official testified Wednesday.
Samuel Liles, the Department of Homeland Securitys acting director of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis Cyber Division, said vote tallying mechanisms were unaffected, and the hackers appeared to be scanning for vulnerabilities which Liles likened to walking down the street and looking at homes to see who might be inside.
But hackers successfully exploited a small number of networks, Liles said, likening the act to making it through a homes front door.
Liles was testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Russias efforts to meddle in the 2016 presidential election, and his remarks add some clarity to the breadth of the Kremlins cyber mischief. Officials in Arizona and Illinois had previously confirmed that hackers targeted their voter registration system, though news reports suggested the Russian effort was much broader.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/homeland-security-official-russian-government-actors-potentially-tried-to-hack-election-systems-in-21-states/ar-BBCZGYC?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=edgsp