Slashdot Mirror


US Electricity Grid Reportedly Penetrated By Spies

phantomfive worries about a report in the Wall Street Journal ("Makes me want to move to the country and dig a well") that in recent years a number of cyber attacks against US infrastructure have been launched over the Internet: "Cyberspies have penetrated the US electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials. The spies came from China, Russia, and other countries, these officials said, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the US electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war."

4 of 328 comments (clear)

  1. Former officials... by onion2k · · Score: 4, Funny

    former national-security officials

    Aren't these people just admitting that they were incompetent? That's refreshingly honest of them.

  2. China and Russia? by Thanshin · · Score: 5, Funny

    China, Russia, and other countries,

    So you mean there are people capable of hacking the US energy grid but who can't start the attacks from a hacked box in Madagascar?

    "Who's attacking us?"
    "Sir, the attacks come from half a million infected machines all around the world."
    "From all coutries?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "So China and Russia too?"
    "Hmm, Yes, of course, sir"
    "Damn commies... We should've nuked them a long time ago."

  3. Re:Why are they on the internet? by jolyonr · · Score: 4, Funny

    On one they're controlling the power station, on the other they're reading slashdot.

    Unless typing 'FIRST POST! LOL' on the wrong box causes a reactor meltdown, I think we'll be ok :)

    Jolyon

    --


    Please read my Canon EOS tech blog at http://www.everyothershot.com
  4. Re:Remember, folks... by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Whenever you're starting to focus on the reality of life, new fear WILL be injected into it to distract you.

    Oh god! I'm so afraid of the fear injecting big brother.