US officials say malicious software tied to a Russian hacking group associated with attempts to influence the presidential election was found within a computer that belongs to an electric utility company in Burlington, Vermont.
A code associated with the Russian hacking operation, dubbed Grizzly Steppe by the White House, has been detected within the system of Burlington Electric, according to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Although the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations, the discovery underscores the vulnerabilities of the US electrical grid, the officials said.
Burlington Electric found the malware on a laptop not connected to the operation of the grid, said Commissioner Christopher Recchia of Vermont’s Public Service Department.
“This episode should highlight the urgent need for our federal government to vigorously pursue and put an end to this sort of Russian meddling,” Vermont’s governor, Democrat…