Cyberattacks hit Louisiana Government Offices as Worries Rise about Election hacking, but there were No indications that the Attacks were part of an effort to Compromise the Election Systems.
The Louisiana Cyberattacks involved a Remote Access Trojan, or RAT, the kind of Malware often used to lay the Groundwork for additional Breaches.
Hackers Breached several Local Government Offices in recent weeks, prompting State Officials to Enlist the National Guard to stem the Attacks.
The Intrusions come in the Run-up to an Election in which Russian Hackers are known to be Probing State and Local Government networks.
Officials are increasingly worried, however, about Hackers Testing States' Defenses ahead of possible Disinformation or Sabotage efforts closer to the Election.
The Hacking Tool has been Linked to the North Korean Regime in the past, said a Security Researcher. But according to the Researcher, the Malware's Code is freely available Online, complicating a Clear attribution to Pyongyang or anyone else.
Identifying the Attackers will be a Major Priority for Federal Authorities. Cyber Criminals have increasingly Targeted Local Governments with Ransomware in the hope of Extracting Massive Payments to Unlock vital Municipal Systems.
Officials and Private-Sector Experts are trying to determine whether any of these Criminals are working with, or taking Orders from, Foreign Adversaries such as: China; Iran; Russia; or North Korea.
The Louisiana National Guard was able to Stop the Spread of the Infection before it Escaped beyond a Few Government Offices in the Northern part of the State. The Hackers’ Goal was likely to Deploy Ransomware.
Washington State, last month, also Experienced a Cyberattack that Compromised several Government Offices with Malware also used to Deploy Ransomware.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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