Spies Hack Into US Electic Grid

Spies from countries such as Chine and Russia have been sniffing inside the US Electric Grid network.

Recently, US intelligence agencies have discovered that spies have been logging into the US electic grid computer systems.

These spies, reportedly from countries such as Russia and China have left software tools that could destroy infrastructure components,

The Wall Street Journal reports that the intruders “were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. 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.”

Many of the intrusions were detected not by the companies in charge of the infrastructure but by U.S. intelligence agencies, officials said. Intelligence officials worry about cyber attackers taking control of electrical facilities, a nuclear power plant or financial networks via the Internet.

Authorities investigating the intrusions have found software tools left behind that could be used to destroy infrastructure components, the senior intelligence official said. He added, “If we go to war with them, they will try to turn them on.”

Officials said water, sewage and other infrastructure systems also were at risk.

Via WSJ