Washington Post Stirs Fear After False Report Of Power Grid Hack By Russia

Remember when that story was yanked from Wapo and posted here on ATS?

There were some people in that thread being pretty rude and demanding about how that part of the system was definitely connected to the grid and how people didn't know anything when they tried to say otherwise... Yeah.

I've been thinking ATS members need to remember how to apologize for being both wrong and jerks lately. Instead of actually apologizing when defending a lie or being rude to other members on the site folks will just stop posting, abandon thread. Like children. And the rudeness factor around here has been cranked up to youtube comment level proportions.

originally posted by: jtma508
Nothing to worry about. Once again Trump says he has information 'no one else knows' about the alleged hacking. So there you have it. He has his own personal intelligence sources that are far more accurate than the established ones. Everything will get cleared-up shortly.

LOL, you must be talking about this article.

www.theguardian.com...

The Washington Post also reported on Friday that Moscow could be behind malware found on a laptop owned by a Vermont electricity utility. In response to that discovery, Vermont governor Peter Shumlin said: “One of the world’s leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality of life, economy, health, and safety.”

Double down when in a pinch. I wonder if you folks know what you are saying half the time.

a reply to: Noncents

In all fairness, the Mud-pit is the place for rudeness and crass comments. It's a place you don't have to sugar coat your level of pissed off-ness. There are some very safe places here. Try the Shed. Everyone loves everyone there, and you get to see the good side of ATS posters.

a reply to: network dude

After multiple retractions I believe it is fair to say WaPo is absolutely not a credible news source.
They perpetuate slander that could get many a people killed. Other topics have been killed for a lot less, WaPo is war mongering and could simply be said to be disinformation.

They have surpassed infowars in fake(doom porn) news, congrats WaPo. I wonder when WaPo will start selling iodine tablets. At least I know to double and triple source when looking at infowars.

a reply to: tigertatzen

Yeah and you have none and proved it again with your idiotic post

a reply to: network dude

If they would have waited a couple more decades then maybe they would have succeeded, but as it stands now, people are becoming more aware of how things really work.

a reply to: network dude
I missed that one was posted to the Mud-Pit but just because information is in a place that provides the opportunity to react like jerks doesn't mean it is right to do so nor does it negate the decency of apologizing for being a jerk in the first place.

It's not an issue of safe spaces, it's an issue of basic decency towards other people. If someone is calling out someone else, then proven wrong, it's just decent to apologize. Or, maybe, better to not be so mean to other people to start off with.

Just wishful thinking. Hoping we can all go into 2017 a little better off...

originally posted by: network dude

originally posted by: jtma508
Nothing to worry about. Once again Trump says he has information 'no one else knows' about the alleged hacking. So there you have it. He has his own personal intelligence sources that are far more accurate than the established ones. Everything will get cleared-up shortly.

LOL, you must be talking about this article.

www.theguardian.com...

The Washington Post also reported on Friday that Moscow could be behind malware found on a laptop owned by a Vermont electricity utility. In response to that discovery, Vermont governor Peter Shumlin said: “One of the world’s leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality of life, economy, health, and safety.”

Double down when in a pinch. I wonder if you folks know what you are saying half the time.

This is a perfect example of what I meant to convey. This was proven false, and a retraction was given about the story. Yet the same story is referenced in a recent article written last damn night. A lie only needs to be spread to offer it's legitimacy. And as long as it pushes the right narrative, nobody will say anything until they are put on the spot.

Liberals, get your # together.

originally posted by: Noncents
a reply to: network dude
I missed that one was posted to the Mud-Pit but just because information is in a place that provides the opportunity to react like jerks doesn't mean it is right to do so nor does it negate the decency of apologizing for being a jerk in the first place.

It's not an issue of safe spaces, it's an issue of basic decency towards other people. If someone is calling out someone else, then proven wrong, it's just decent to apologize. Or, maybe, better to not be so mean to other people to start off with.

Just wishful thinking. Hoping we can all go into 2017 a little better off...

I agree, but just wanted to point out the venue. I use it for the explicit purpose of being an ass. It's therapeutic for me to vent on those who irritate me. Doctors orders.

originally posted by: tigertatzen

originally posted by: goou111

originally posted by: tigertatzen
a reply to: network dude

Keep it going Democrats, this is your legacy. Embrace it.

And snarky, blanket generalizations like the above is one of the top reasons we continue to remain divided in this nation. Just can't talk about anything affecting all of America without blaming a specific group of Americans, can we? Keep that hate flowing; that's the true message here. The rest of your OP was actually halfway decent. Too bad you just couldn't seem to resist the little childish, petty jab at the end.

People like you are why we remain divided in this country. Always peering down for your high horse sitting on a pedestal telling everyone else how wrong they are.

Aww look at you, trying out a new ad hom. That's adorable. Feel better? There is no "pedestal", Sparky. Let's not get it twisted. Simply common human decency.

Just like your spiteful attack on my character as a person, quoted above, blaming an entire group of Americans for a news story that was retracted with an apology after the fact is both ridiculous and unnecessary. I know a three year old who has better restraint than that.

So you wonder why we are divided in one post... and then post that. Ironic.

The problem at hand lately is that the news providers are providing lies in place of truth.

We can all do our parts to expose or complain but that really does nothing in the long run. Is there a potential solution?

I'm torn on that one. There's basic freedoms to consider, speech and press. But, if the press is abusing that freedom to deceive others then should something be done? I'm not promoting the concept of striking anything from the Constitution but should there be a line when dealing with apparently rampant deception from those many trust to be honest?

I think a good start would be removing the parts from the NDAA that allow propaganda. Beyond that, I don't know how the problem could be solved without encroaching on protected freedoms.

a reply to: Noncents

I agree something needs to be done without damaging anyone's Constitutional rights. I would like to see the Anti-Trust laws reinstated and enforced. Capitalism is fine but it needs to have limits, I would think that disqualifying huge corporations from owning multiple MSM venues would be a start. I view the lack of federal oversight in the publishing, internet and television boardrooms leads to just the kind of situation we are discussing.

a reply to: network dude

Fake news meant to offer validity to the "Russian Hacking" narrative.

But it does offer validity. Regardless of whether the grid was hacked (it wasn't, hence the issued correction after incorrect report), there WAS (likely Russian) malware on a utility laptop that, had it been connected to the grid, would allow for potential hacking of the grid. Luckily is wasn't connected, but the means (malware) was still present.

If the malware is present, even if unconnected, there is still a likelihood that there could be...wait for it: hacking, in the event it was connected.

The system had been penetrated, just not activated.

That's a problem.

I wonder if Trump will use Obamas new fake news law to go after the msm when they pull this crap. *irony*

Other stories have been developing based on this, there was malware found that does match Russia's footprint. I do agree that there is no evidence that Russia hacked into our electric grid. There is enough evidence that Russia was trying to, though, and that should be enough to worry about.

Republicans seem to be looking the other way at Russia's threat to our national security just because Trump arbitrarily decided he liked Putin. I love this, it shows Democrats are more interested in national security than Republicans for once.

originally posted by: network dude

originally posted by: tigertatzen
a reply to: network dude

Keep it going Democrats, this is your legacy. Embrace it.

And snarky, blanket generalizations like the above is one of the top reasons we continue to remain divided in this nation. Just can't talk about anything affecting all of America without blaming a specific group of Americans, can we? Keep that hate flowing; that's the true message here. The rest of your OP was actually halfway decent. Too bad you just couldn't seem to resist the little childish, petty jab at the end.

If you can't see the damage being done by the party you pimp for, then I sure as hell can't help you. I'd like very much if present day Democrats would abandon the "I'm way smarter than a bunch of rednecks" attitude and move more towards a unification ideal. I think "we" would be more effective than US vs THEM. But until the superior attitude is removed, and a bit of Esprit-de corps is shown about this Country, I personally don't have any time for you or your party. I know in Washington, the US vs THEM thing is more of a side show than a reality, it's all about $ there. But here, in the real world, your actions and words are seen and heard. And not forgotten.

Lol! Unlike you, who is fair minded and intelligently always open to hearing both sides? What a joke. You speak only of yourself.
Own it.

originally posted by: darkbake
Other stories have been developing based on this, there was malware found that does match Russia's footprint. I do agree that there is no evidence that Russia hacked into our electric grid. There is enough evidence that Russia was trying to, though, and that should be enough to worry about.

Republicans seem to be looking the other way at Russia's threat to our national security just because Trump arbitrarily decided he liked Putin. I love this, it shows Democrats are more interested in national security than Republicans for once.

I doubt it's a republican vs democrat thing with regards to cyber security. The DNC did have really #ty security, while the RNC had much better protection, so they were able to avoid a hack, but that only goes as far as the IT budget, not how you feel about abortion.

I personally feel that we need to stay vigilant about our cyber security and not get cheap when it comes to protection. But I'm an IT guy, so of course I want people to spend money on this aspect of protection. And being an IT guy, I also know how often hacks occur and how easily some people are tricked into these scams. Have we started going after the Nigerian Prince, or the Microsoft tech who calls you about your infected computer?

This is faux outrage to push a narrative. If you can't see it, you aren't looking.

originally posted by: tigertatzen
Simply common human decency.

Agreed!
But...
Didn't you enter this conversation with this statement?

The rest of your OP was actually halfway decent. Too bad you just couldn't seem to resist the little childish, petty jab at the end.

Because the OP pointed out the fact that things like the division we face in this nation was created and fostered by the left and liberals? Sensitive much? You all created this climate of animosity now deal with it.

There is no "pedestal", Sparky.

I agree with you a pedestal description is incorrect. That would signify something genuine and worthy of praise.
This is more "ivory tower syndrome". Where we have a bunch of people with an expensive education that has no economic value trying to impose their ideals on others. Liberals have become the new Christians of the 19th century. Full of righteous indignation over the mistreatment of every group of individuals(especially their own) except the ones who are actually mistreated. Take the election. Simply supporting Hillary Clinton was also supporting the patriarchy in Saudi Arabia.

Ever wonder why most liberals are feminist atheists who worship the government?
Because when you are taught to shun everything that made you an individual and gave you a sense of direction you have no choice but to join the collective hive mind of blue haired SJW sycophants. The only way to impose your rule on people is to use your lord FED to coerce individuals down the barrel of a gun to either comply or die using progression of force methods. All this is crap was cooked up by liberalism and it has left the Republic in ruin.

You seemed confused why some people are upset and I hope this helps clear some of that up because the OP saying.

Keep it going Democrats, this is your legacy. Embrace it.Text

Was a completely legitimate statement.
As well as TRUE.

originally posted by: darkbake
Other stories have been developing based on this, there was malware found that does match Russia's footprint. I do agree that there is no evidence that Russia hacked into our electric grid. There is enough evidence that Russia was trying to, though, and that should be enough to worry about.

Republicans seem to be looking the other way at Russia's threat to our national security just because Trump arbitrarily decided he liked Putin. I love this, it shows Democrats are more interested in national security than Republicans for once.

According to Wordfence, the Malware can be traced to Ukraine, and is also outdated and widely used around the world.

Wordfence

Actually, Russian malware could have gotten on that laptop if the 'user' were browsing Russian porn sites. Porn sites are infamous for malware/trojans which can really fubar your pc. Methinks more investigation needs doing into what said 'user' has been doing with said laptop during working hours.