A U.S. newspaper is reporting that spies using the Internet have
infiltrated control systems of the U.S. electrical supply network and
planted computer programs that could be used to disrupt electricity
service.
The report in The Wall Street Journal cites current
and former national security officials as saying the spies are from
China, Russia and other countries.
It says a senior intelligence official said the Chinese and Russians have attempted to map U.S. infrastructure.
The
report says a senior intelligence official says the computer software
tools left behind could be used to destroy infrastructure components,
and officials are concerned the programs would be used in times of war
or crisis. The report says officials say water, sewage and other
infrastructure systems were also at risk.
But it says
officials do not believe there is an immediate danger. The report says
Russian and Chinese officials have denied any involvement in
cyberspying.
A Pentagon official said Tuesday
the Defense Department has spent $100 million in the past six months
responding to cyber attacks.
In testimony to Congress last
month, National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair warned of a growing
threat to cyberspace as terrorists expand their use of tactics and
techniques. He said the U.S. has to keep strengthening its cyber
defenses.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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