Skip to main content

US power stations attacked by Russian-backed hackers

Published on: 25 Jul 2018

Russian hackers could have caused power blackouts across the US after gaining remote access to control rooms at a number of North American power suppliers.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that state-backed hackers gained access despite command centre computers not being directly linked to the web.

It is believed that the attacks were successful because they targeted smaller firms, which supply utilities with other services.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that the attacks are ongoing and have been traced to a group known as Dragonfly or Energetic Bear in Russia.

Hackers apparently carried out the attacks by emailing senior staff at power suppliers or tried to make them visit spoofed or hacked social media sites.

With access gained, the attackers then carried out detailed reconnaissance to familiarise themselves with how plants and power systems worked.

Russia has consistently denied carrying out cyber attacks on US infrastructure.