Cyberspies Penetrate U.S. Power Grid, Leave Software That Could Disrupt System

[Kotin]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009...tware-disrupt/


The U.S. has uncovered evidence that cyberspies, most likely from China and Russia, have penetrated the U.S. power grid and left behind software that could be activated to disrupt American infrastructure, FOX News confirms.

The "intrusions," first reported by The Wall Street Journal, have occurred over a period of time, one U.S. official said -- not all at once.

The breaches are "something we're concerned about," a U.S. official told FOX News.

The concern is that any software could be activated at a later date to disrupt critical systems.

The intrusions were not just limited to the electrical power grid, but affected systems like water and sewage. The motivation for the breaches is not well understood, and while the electronic trail appears to lead to China and Russia, it is not clear whether these actions were state-sponsored.

The Washington embassies of China and Russia deny involvement.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the espionage appeared pervasive across the country and did not target any particular region or company.

The intrusions were in many cases detected by U.S. intelligence agencies, not the companies, officials told the Journal.

"If we go to war with them, they will try to turn them on," one official told the Journal.

[Kraig]

Wow, perfect timing to scare people into accepting laws that will prevent a "cyber katrina". What a nice coincidence for the government.

[zach]

"Quick, we need executive order for the President to safe-keep the Internet!"

"We need your data so it won't be stolen by Commie Thugs!"

"Your rights are safe with us!"

[RideTheDirt]

Wow, perfect timing to scare people into accepting laws that will prevent a "cyber katrina". What a nice coincidence for the government.

but we could diez if the lights go out!!11

/sarcasm

[JoshLowry]

I hate our government and I hate our media. I want the internet to be free. If they REALLY wanted to keep their $#@! secure they could do it.

"FOX News' Catherine Herridge, Mike Levine, Mike Emanuel and Mosheh Oinounou contributed to this report."


I wonder who their sources are, maybe from the government? Propaganda artists.

[Bern]

[hysteria]We need Jay Rockefeller and the NSA to control the internets![/hysteria]