The Wall Street Journal reports that “Iranian-backed hackers have escalated a campaign of cyberassaults against U.S. corporations by launching infiltration and surveillance missions against the computer networks running energy companies.”
“Iranian hackers were able to gain access to control-system software that could allow them to manipulate oil or gas pipelines… U.S. officials warn that Iran is edging closer to provoking U.S. retaliation… The Obama administration sees the energy-company infiltrations as a signal that Iran hasn’t responded to deterrence.”
“Unlike Chinese hacking, the Iranian infiltrations and cyberattacks appear intended to disrupt and possibly damage computer systems… The recent growth of Chinese infiltrations primarily has been aimed at stealing military and trade secrets, not doing damage.”
