Russia-linked malware found on U.S. electric company’s laptop
BURLINGTON, Vt. >> Malware code linked to Russian hackers and found on a Vermont electric utility’s computer is further evidence of “predatory” steps taken by that country against the U.S., a Vermont Democratic congressman said today.
The Burlington Electric Department confirmed Friday it had found on one of its laptops the malware code used in Grizzly Steppe, the name Homeland Security has applied to a Russian campaign linked to recent hacks. The company said U.S. utilities were alerted by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday of the code.
“This attack shows how rampant Russian hacking is. It’s systemic, relentless, predatory,” Rep. Peter Welch said in a statement. “They will hack everywhere, even Vermont, in pursuit of opportunities to disrupt our country.”
Welch said the breach also underscores that sanctions President Barack Obama took against Russia this week were warranted. Russia, which has denied hacking U.S. systems, has been accused of interference in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.
Sen. Patrick Leahy said the latest discovery of the malware “goes beyond hackers having electronic joy rides.” It is the latest example that state-sponsored Russian hacking is a serious threat, the Vermont Democrat said in a statement Friday.
The Washington Post first reported on the Vermont utility’s discovery of the malware. Burlington Electric, which is municipally owned, confirmed in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that it detected the malware in a laptop not connected to its grid systems. It said it took “immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials.”
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“Our team is working with federal officials to trace this malware and prevent any other attempts to infiltrate utility systems,” the company said.
It said it had briefed state officials and would fully support an investigation into the potential Russian hack.
Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin said his administration has been in touch with the federal government and the state’s utilities.
“Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the world’s leading thugs, (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, health, and safety,” the governor said in a statement.
He said the hacking episode should highlight the urgent need for the federal government to “vigorously pursue and put an end to this sort of Russian meddling.”
Burlington Electric, which says it’s “at the forefront of the green energy revolution,” is one of the state’s two largest electric utilities. The other, Colchester-based Green Mountain Power, said its systems were secure.
Green Mountain Power, which serves about 265,000 residential and business customers, said it was thoroughly reviewed recently for safety by Homeland Security. It said it would continue to rigorously monitor its systems and “remain vigilant.”
19 responses to “Russia-linked malware found on U.S. electric company’s laptop”
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Government and municipalities in the U.S. are usually well behind the curve when it comes to internet security, it is usually treated as an afterthought, with greater emphasis on training the everyday employee to be aware of “phishing” emails and such, rather that concentrating efforts and money on the most current state of the art malware to prevent these incidents.
Emphasis on everyday usage by all employees can prevent many attacks. Just one click on an innocent looking email link containing malware is all it takes to allow the hacker “in”.
Quantum cryptography is an interesting possibility.
Trump tweets: Happy new year to my enemies who ‘lost so badly’
It will be clear that the hacks were an attempt by Russia to influence our elections and is an attack on our democracy. The entire world is watching. People must understand and comprehend how damaging this all is to our country if Trump chooses to just ignore it. Just “moving on” is not an option.
Some people may not believe we have a democracy. We have the greatest democracy in the world. . Seriously, our democracy allows you your right of free speech. But to not support our country, ask yourself why.
So to those persons who would still think we have no democracy, you have an option. Nothing takes away your unalienable right to move and live in Russia or some other third world country.
From what I have read, including the FBI/HS report, there is no evidence of “an attempt by Russia to influence our elections ”
It is a political narrative with political goals.
There is evidence of hacks but this is nothing new.
What is new is a newfound political spin for the information.
Practically everything is hacked all the time.
The US, for example, hacked Angela Merkel’s cell phone.
I have read that if you have an iphone the mail program is “hacking and reading both your emails and your calendar”
It is theoretically impossible to prove that a computer system is free from hacks.
Wikileaks has publicly stated that the leaked emails came from dissident Democrats.
In a recent interview, Assange gave more details.
An ex British ambassador has publicly stated that leaked emails were given to him in DC by a dissident staffer.
Seth Rich a DNC staffer was shot in the back of the head supposedly because of a robbery although nothing was taken. This happened right after the leaks were made public. This is something that a good reporter would investigate.
the other person knew, big boss , but talked himself out of doing something ..example of POLITICAL decision vs DOING WHAT IS RIGHT…come on guys change the direction confront and see what happens …vs making it bigger and bigger..
Don’t think for a second that Trump will seriously confront Russia on hacking. Since Trump had so many foreclosures and business failures, American banks refused to provide loans for Trump. Russia has been giving loans to Trump for a long time.
Maybe the state of Hawaii employee retirement system should loan trump money.
Research newer technology to control the electric grid instead the current dependence. That will foil any hacking?
Kind of obvious that we are being hacked by the Russians. It should be also obvious that we are hacking their systems as well.
For a long time now, and also by more than the Russians.
What is new is the attempt, for political goals, to pin the email thing on the Russians.
From what I have read all they know is that the Russians could have read those files.
Furthermore, Wikileaks says the emails did not come from the Russians, that they were legally obtained from a dissident Democrat staffer.
Analysis of packets and other covert and overt evidence do not lie as to where the attacks originated, Russia.
We have faith in our country’s intelligence resources, without question and above anything Wikileaks, the Russians, and now Trump for that matter, thinks or says about who is responsible for the hacks.
If you carefully read the 13 page report from the FBI/DH they conclude that hacking was going on – no big surprise since everyone is hacking everyone else – and that the files became accessible. But it does not say the Russians took these emails and then gave them to Wikileaks. Nor does it conclude they interfered with the elections.
From what I have read, it seems more likely that the emails leaked by Wikileaks did not come from the Russians, just as they have stated.
This does not contradict what the FBI/DHS report said.
It may be a small point, but, unless I missed something, the report says that the systems for “a political party” were hacked, it does not name the DNC.
Seems curious.
With mixed results. Nothing to hack. Clinton was supposed to win by a landslide. Not even close. Double digit leads in the polls, Big donors, Soros, super PACS, attack ads, Billion dollar campaign. Hollywood. Obama , Biden on the stump, The Crooked Democrats lost the election, pure and simple. Cry babies. Tim Kaine must be sick.
That’s how the Russians will get into our grid
Oh, lets just stick our heads in the sand and ignore this. Afterall, the Ruskies are our friends now.
Quiet, Allie is still sleeping.