Russian Malware Found on Vermont Utility Computer

ABC NEWS– Malware associated with Russian hackers was found on a computer belonging to a utility company in Vermont, according to the company.

After being alerted last night by the Department of Homeland Security about malware code used in Grizzly Steppe, Russia’s hacking campaign against U.S. political institutions, Burlington Electric Department performed a scan, the utility said in a statement.

“We acted quickly to scan all computers in our system for the malware signature. We detected the malware in a single Burlington Electric Department laptop not connected to our organization’s grid systems,” the statement said. “We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding.”

It is unclear what the intent was in delivering the malware.

Vermont Democratic Congressman Peter Welch said the discovery of the malware code is further evidence of “predatory” steps by Russia against the U.S.

“This attack shows how rampant Russian hacking is. It’s systemic, relentless, predatory,” Welch said in a statement. “They will hack everywhere, even Vermont, in pursuit of opportunities to disrupt our country.”

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, also a Democrat, said, “This is beyond hackers having electronic joy rides — this is now about trying to access utilities to potentially manipulate the grid and shut it down in the middle of winter. That is a direct threat to Vermont, and we do not take it lightly.”