Russian hacktivists increasingly attacking US water and energy, researchers warn
Published on December 12, 2024
Researchers have observed increasing threat activity from two Russian hacktivist groups attacking US energy and water sectors. In one incident, the hackers attacked a water treatment plant in Stanton, Texas, opening valves and releasing untreated water.
Cybersecurity firm Cyble warns that two Russian groups – the People’s Cyber Army and Z-Pentest – went well beyond the DDoS attacks and website defacements that hacktivist groups typically engage in.
They post videos on Telegram showing alleged tampering with control panels of industrial systems in the oil, gas, and water sectors, which can lead to disruption, downtime, or even physical threats to the environment.