Russian Hackers Appear to Shift Focus to U.S. Power Grid.
'State-sponsored Russian hackers appear far more interested this year in demonstrating that they can disrupt the American electric utility grid than the midterm elections, according to United States intelligence officials and technology company executives.
Despite attempts to infiltrate the online accounts of two Senate Democrats up for re-election, intelligence officials said they have seen little activity by Russian military hackers aimed at either major American political figures or state voter registration systems.
By comparison, according to intelligence officials and executives of the companies that oversee the worlds computer networks, there is surprisingly far more effort directed at implanting malware in the electrical grid.
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence findings, but their conclusions were confirmed by several executives of technology and technology security firms.
This week, the Department of Homeland Security reported that over the last year, Russias military intelligence agency had infiltrated the control rooms of power plants across the United States. In theory, that could enable it to take control of parts of the grid by remote control.
While the department cited hundreds of victims of the attacks, far more than they had previously acknowledged, there is no evidence that the hackers tried to take over the plants, as Russian actors did in Ukraine in 2015 and 2016.
In interviews, American intelligence officials said that the department had understated the scope of the threat. So far the White House has said little about the intrusions other than raise the fear of such breaches to maintain old coal plants in case they are needed to recover from a major attack.
On Friday, President Trump was briefed on government efforts to protect the coming midterm elections from what a White House statement described as malign foreign actors. It said it was giving cybersecurity support to state and local governments to protect their election systems.'>>>
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/27/us/politics/russian-hackers-electric-grid-elections-.html?
Throck
(2,520 posts)We're screwed when the lights go out. Trump looking for an excuse to declare martial law and start containing people. Trump's wet dream.
RKP5637
(67,030 posts)many Americans are too stupid and/or brainwashed to get what is going on. And apparently a fair number of republicans would be just fine with Putin ruling America. Many republicans have left the GOP. What remains now is mainly a domestic terrorist organization calling themselves the GOP.
braddy
(3,585 posts)tableturner
(1,676 posts)In fact, more than a few days would do it.
dalton99a
(81,065 posts)braddy
(3,585 posts)I will have significant padding to wait for repair, I wasn't addressing all grids, being totally taken down for Armageddon. I hope you have made some preparation for emergencies, of any kind.
airplaneman
(1,236 posts)It seems to be more of a deflection attempt than a real issue. Are we to believe the Russians are not going to interfere with out elections and focus on the power grid instead. I think they are going to focus on our elections period and I don't believe this is a legitimate concern.
-Airplane
malthaussen
(17,065 posts)... but would have to be followed up by other action. Interfering with elections is a gift that keeps on giving.
-- Mal
Zorro
(15,691 posts)Maybe the Russians feel confident enough to risk it, but I wouldn't bet on it.
ROB-ROX
(767 posts)The technical information is above his understanding and his RUSSIAN friends did it........