America says it has ‘hacked Russia’ and is ready to launch attack if Kremlin ruins election
Senior intelligence official and top-secret documents confirm US hackers have penetrated Russia’s telecommunications, electric grid and command infrastructure
THE American government has warned Russia that it is ready to hit back if they interfere with the presidential election next week.
They say US military hackers have penetrated the country’s electric grid, telecommunications system and the Kremlin’s command infrastructure.
reports that top-secret documents and a senior intelligence official have confirmed that the US could use cyber weapons in these areas should they deem it necessary.
American officials have repeatedly claimed that Russia, China and other nations have used cyber-attacks to try and take down parts of their infrastructure.
The severity of these attacks can range from disrupting websites to turning off lights across major cities.
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US intelligence officials have said they do not expect Russia to go after critical infrastructure – which many believe would constitute an act of war – but they do think they are capable of cyber mischief.
Such actions could include the possible release of fake documents and the creation of bogus social media accounts designed to spread misinformation.
Yesterday a hacker going by the name of ‘Guccifer 2.0’ – who America say works for Russian intelligence – tweeted a threat saying he would monitor next Tuesday’s vote “from inside the system”.
Officials said that the US would only deploy their cyber weapons in the unlikely event the country’s infrastructure was attacked in a significant way.
The American military often claims that they have the most advanced cyber warfare capabilities of any nation on the planet but do not discuss exact details.
Gary Brown, a retired colonel and former legal adviser to the military's digital arm, explained why countries get involved in cyber warfare.
He said: “Most of the time you might use it to collect information, but that same access could be used for more aggressive activities too.”
Nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been at loggerheads for months with the argument decided at the ballot box next Tuesday.
Trump has been complimentary of Putin’s leadership and actions in the Middle East while Clinton has had thousands of her campaign’s emails illegally disclosed by WikiLeaks with alleged help from Russia.
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