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CIA Claims Cyber Attackers Blacked Out Cities

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the say-g'night-dick dept.

Dotnaught writes to tell us InformationWeek is reporting that the CIA admitted today that recent power outages in multiple cities outside the United States are the result of cyberattacks. "We have information, from multiple regions outside the United States, of cyber intrusions into utilities, followed by extortion demands. We suspect, but cannot confirm, that some of these attackers had the benefit of inside knowledge. We have information that cyberattacks have been used to disrupt power equipment in several regions outside the United States. In at least one case, the disruption caused a power outage affecting multiple cities. We do not know who executed these attacks or why, but all involved intrusions through the Internet."

8 of 280 comments (clear)

  1. Die Hard 4.0 by slyn · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is there really any excuse of convenience that justifies connecting the nations major utilities to the internet?

    At least if there is a firesale Justin Long and Bruce Willis will be there to save us. Coincidence that Mac Guy would be the one to save us? I think not.

  2. We don't have TIME!!! by Duncan+Blackthorne · · Score: 3, Funny

    Quick, somebody call Jack Bauer, he'll know what to do!

    1. Re:We don't have TIME!!! by Psychotria · · Score: 3, Funny

      You are correct. He will capture the nasty people, torture them and make them confess under duress... err wait

  3. Pfffft by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's ridiculous. Power and services don't just suddenly cu

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
    1. Re:Pfffft by jamesh · · Score: 3, Funny

      That's ridiculous. Power and services don't just suddenly cu

      At least when they do cut out, the residual power left in the system enables you to submit your incomplete slashdot message posting. What an age to be alive!
  4. willful negligence vs gross negligence by SgtChaireBourne · · Score: 5, Funny

    You're right. Putting any kind of control system for critical public utilities on the internet is gross negligence.

    And if MS Windows is involved, then it escalates to willful negligence.

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    Beta is broken and the link to classic doesn't work. Stop wasting our time or there won't be anybody left here.
  5. Re:BS by deimtee · · Score: 3, Funny

    Winston Smith has now never existed.
    Thinking of unpersons is doubleplusungood.

    --
    I'm guessing that wasn't on their radar screen...
  6. Re:Where and When? by jandoedel · · Score: 4, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, Power never goes out. It stays in the Kremlin.