Russia Threatens America’s Power Grid?

By Stephen Lendman

Sound absurd? It is – not a shred of truth to the neocon/CIA-connected Washington Post’s accusation.

Claiming “(h)ackers allied with the Russian government have devised a cyberweapon that has the potential to be the most disruptive yet against electric systems that Americans depend on for daily life, according to US researchers” is a malicious bald-faced Big Lie.

Saying so-called CrashOverride malware “could be deployed against US electric transmission and distribution systems with devastating effect” is part of longstanding irresponsible Russia bashing.

According to a likely CIA-funded disinformation Dragos cybersecurity report, “Russian government hackers have shown their interest in targeting US energy and other utility systems,” said WaPo, citing firm researchers – quoting its director Sergio Caltagirone saying:

“It’s the culmination of over a decade of theory and attack scenarios, It’s a game changer.”

It’s baloney. No Russian threat to America’s power grid or anything else in the country exists.

In January, WaPo notoriously claimed Russian hackers penetrated America’s power grid, saying a Vermont utility was attacked.

The accusation was exposed as fake news, willful deception. Cybersecurity specialists said the code detected wasn’t Russian. It was an outdated Ukrainian hacking tool.

Burlington Electric explained the malware was found during a single laptop scan not connected to its power grid.

A company statement said

“(w)e took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding.”

The incident had nothing to do with alleged hacking by Russia or any other country. Blaming Moscow for these type incidents is a knee-jerk response – entirely lacking credibility.

Vermonters could relax. Their power grid wasn’t threatened by Russia. Nor are Americans in the other 49 states.

The Russians weren’t coming in January or earlier. They’re not coming now. No cyber or other attacks by Moscow loom.

The Russian threat is a fabricated hoax, part of longstanding US hostility toward its government.

The Trump administration hasn’t commented on WaPo’s accusation. The Department of Homeland Security didn’t respond to its latest claim.

It’s baseless, part of continuing anti-Russia propaganda – making stuff up because legitimate reasons to criticize its government don’t exist.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected].

His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Featured image: The Hacker News

The original source of this article is Global Research

Copyright © Stephen Lendman, Global Research, 2017

http://www.globalresearch.ca/russia-threatens-americas-power-grid/5594557

Articles by:Stephen Lendman

About the author:

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected]. His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.” http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs.

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