Is Russia Hacking US? Vermont Electric Grid Targeted By Russian Hackers After Obama Administration’s Moscow Sanctions

After allegedly attempting to influence the U.S. presidential election, Russian hackers targeted Burlington Electric, one of Vermont’s electrical utilities, showcasing the United States’ vulnerability to cyber crimes.

In a statement by the company, Burlington Electric said it detected a malware code — also used in the Grizzly Steppe operation — in a laptop that was not connected to the organization’s grid systems. Immediate action was taken to isolate the system and federal authorities were alerted.

“Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the world’s leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, health, and safety,” Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin (D) said in a statement, urging federal officials to carry out a full investigation of the incident. “This episode should highlight the urgent need for our federal government to vigorously pursue and put an end to this sort of Russian meddling.”

The intention behind the attack was not known.

“State-sponsored Russian hacking is a serious threat, and the attempts to penetrate the electric grid through a Vermont utility are the latest example,” said Vermont Senator Peter Healy. “ This is now about trying to access utilities to potentially manipulate the grid and shut it down in the middle of winter.”

President Barack Obama announced new sanctions against Russia on Thursday, expelling 35 Russian officials from the United States and shutting down two facilities used by the Russians after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Moscow was behind the hacking and release of e-mails related to the Democratic National Committee, which possibly swayed the November election in Donald Trump’s favor.

While lawmakers of both parties have backed Obama’s step, President-elect Donald Trump was more skeptical: “It’s time for our country to move on to bigger and better things.”

In the past, Russia has also been accused of launching a cyberattack on Ukraine’s electrical grid in December 2015, causing a blackout in part of Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. Moscow has denied any involvement in the matter.

The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment, the Washington Post reported, while representatives for the Energy Department and the Department of Homeland Security declined to comment.