Feds probe hacks of U.S. water facilities

The United States is reportedly investigating cyber attacks against U.S. water facilities that may have been committed by an Iran-linked hacker group.

Citing "two individuals familiar with the probes," Politico reported that the hackers may have targeted Israeli technology. Cyber Av3ngers, which is believed to be linked to the Islamic Republic, recently took responsibility for a Saturday strike on the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa, Penn.

The Cyber Av3ngers effort saw the group disable a key control panel made by an Israeli-owned firm and place the message "Every equipment 'Made in Israel' is Cyber Av3ngers legal target." The sources told Politico that the purpose of the attack appeared to cause fear about using Israeli equipment.

The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), are all reportedly investigating the attack.  Washington has identified a "single digit" number of water facilities that have been affected, though none of the attacks have had a significant impact on U.S. water infrastructure thus far.

House Homeland Security Committee’s cyber subcommittee Chairman Rep. Andrew Garbarino warned infrastructure organizations on Tuesday that Iran "is known for taking an opportunistic approach to cyber attacks" and encouraged them to work with CISA "to increase preparedness and resilience against all hostile nation state cyber threats."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.