"Western energy sector at risk of total sabotage by new 'Dragonfly' hacking campaign Resurgence in energy sector attacks linked to 'Dragonfly' cyber espionage unit. A highly experienced and possibly state-sponsored hacking group codenamed 'Dragonfly' may be gearing up for fresh sabotage cyberattacks on the energy sector in Europe and North America, according to research released this week (6 September) by Symantec..." http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/western-en...age-by-new-dragonfly-hacking-campaign-1638212
"Electricity Providers Targeted In Massive Cyber Attack A hacking group has grown bolder and gained access to operational controls of US electric companies, according to Symantec researchers. A hacker group linked to the Russian government has acquired an unprecedented level of access to companies that supply power to the US power grid, a cybersecurity firm says. Symantec, a California-based firm that provides cybersecurity services and worldwide research against online threats, says the group, which it’s nicknamed Dragonfly 2.0, may have compromised more than a dozen American companies in recent months..." https://www.buzzfeed.com/kevincolli...ergy-companies?utm_term=.ykdNqME1j#.ybAbK2V4w
The Symantec Report: "Dragonfly: Western energy sector targeted by sophisticated attack group Resurgence in energy sector attacks, with the potential for sabotage, linked to re-emergence of Dragonfly cyber espionage group..." https://www.symantec.com/connect/bl...gy-sector-targeted-sophisticated-attack-group Who needs an EMP when you have hackers ?
"Hackers Gain ‘Switch-Flipping’ Access to US Power Grid Control Systems In an era of hacker attacks on critical infrastructure, even a run-of-the-mill malware infection on an electric utility’s network is enough to raise alarm bells. But the latest collection of power grid penetrations went far deeper: Security firm Symantec is warning that a series of recent hacker attacks not only compromised energy companies in the US and Europe but also resulted in the intruders gaining hands-on access to power grid operations—enough control that they could have induced blackouts on American soil at will... There’s a difference between being a step away from conducting sabotage and actually being in a position to conduct sabotage ... being able to flip the switch on power generation,” says Eric Chien, a Symantec security analyst. 'We’re now talking about on-the-ground technical evidence this could happen in the US, and there’s nothing left standing in the way except the motivation of some actor out in the world.' Never before have hackers been shown to have that level of control of American power company systems, Chien notes. The only comparable situations, he says, have been the repeated hacker attacks on the Ukrainian grid that twice caused power outages in the country in late 2015 and 2016, the first known hacker-induced blackouts.'..." https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-gain-switch-flipping-access-to-us-power-systems/
There has to be more to this than is mentioned in the article. Someone has a reason for wanting to turn off the power and I'm sure its not cause they want to everyone to miss their favorite TV show.
Dragonfly 2.0 Attackers Probe Energy Sector https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/dragonfly-20-attackers-probe/
