A damaging Russian "Trojan Horse" malware has been present in computers belonging to vital American infrastructures since the past three years, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The destructive malware is allegedly part of a Russian hacking campaign, which has been ongoing since 2011 and has compromised U.S. infrastructure. The DHS also believes that this could lead to an economic catastrophe.
The Trojan Horse has penetrated deep into the software and, according to ABC News sources, puts infrastructure from "nuclear power plants to power grids at risk."
Sources from National Security say there is evidence that the malware has been inserted by hackers who were sponsored by Russia. The cyber criminals are capable of using the hacked material to control industrial operations, such as wind turbines, nuclear plants, and oil and gas pipelines. In the event that the hackers damage, modify or shut down these essential public utilities, then the lives of Americans would be affected severely.
The hacked software is apparently extremely advanced, allowing for collaborative control and the sharing of information. Sources also say it enables the hackers to control the industrial processes via a smartphone, tablet or PC.
Moreover, the DHS has also taken out a bulletin pertaining to the current "BlackEnergy" malware, which has links to the "Sandworm Team" hackings originating in Russia.
Hackers have been taking advantage of a vulnerability that existed in the Windows OS to conduct cyber espionage on Ukraine, NATO and several other countries since 2009. The people behind these hackings were dubbed the Sandworm Team.
The DHS bulletin also disclosed that the penetration of the "BlackEnergy" malware was spotted by many companies recently. This is the same malware the Sandworm Team used to attack NATO.
"Analysis of the technical findings in the two reports shows linkages in the shared command and control infrastructure between the campaigns, suggesting both are part of a broader campaign by the same threat actor," revealed the DHS bulletin.
Sources from DHS say that the "Trojan Horse" attack is not a random one and the organization is fearful that the Russians are using Cold War tactics in a bid to deter the U.S. from waging a cyber attack on Russian operations.
