Deputy National Security Adviser Anne Neuberger told a White House conference on Monday that Russia was “preparing” for cyber-attacks, including scanning websites and hunting for software vulnerabilities.
The FBI says at least 18 U.S. companies are being scanned in other areas, including security and financial services.
There have been no confirmed violations related to the scanning, but the FBI’s advice is the latest in a series of warnings that key infrastructure operators in the U.S. should be alert to potential Russian hacking. “Russia’s level of internet capability is very impressive, and it is coming,” Biden told business executives on Monday.
The FBI said in a statement that the data, which could identify Russia-based Internet Protocol addresses or systems, was “believed to be related to cybercriminals who had previously carried out destructive cyber activity against critical foreign infrastructure.”
“This scanning activity has increased since the beginning of the Russia / Ukraine conflict, which has led to greater exposure to future incursions,” the FBI memo said.
For months, the U.S. Department of Energy, Treasury and Homeland Security have been urging businesses to reduce the limits on reporting suspicious activity, explaining Russia’s hacking capabilities to major power utilities and banks.
It is not immediately clear whether the FBI refers to the same hacking group in its latest consultation. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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