U.S. electrical grid penetrated by spies: report - Yahoo

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

The article is pretty think on info and only surmises that the Chinese/Russians are actually doing this. But, what the hell, another "threat" to scare the populace.

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20090408/tc_nm/us_cyberattack_usa_4

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -

Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls, the newspaper said, citing current and former U.S. national security officials.

The intruders have not sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure but officials said they could try during a crisis or war, the paper said in a report on its website.

The espionage appeared pervasive across the United States and does not target a particular company or region, said a former Department of Homeland Security official.

[spin]

1. No surprise...blame Bush the Junior and his Department of Homeland Security for this...

Here's an article from 2005:

Hackers Target U.S. Power Grid
Government Quietly Warns Utilities To Beef Up Their Computer Security

By Justin Blum
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 11, 2005; Page E01

Hundreds of times a day, hackers try to slip past cyber-security into the computer network of Constellation Energy Group Inc., a Baltimore power company with customers around the country.

"We have no discernable way of knowing who is trying to hit our system," said John R. Collins, chief risk officer for Constellation, which operates Baltimore Gas and Electric. "We just know it's being hit."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A25738-2005Mar10?language=printer

[endarkenment]

2. Shocking! nt.

[MindPilot]

3. Oboy! Another non-specific, amorphous, possible, maybe threat warning.

and this one from a FORMER Department of Homeland Security official. Oh yeah, that's credible.