Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on suspected hacking attack from Iran to seize control of US water infrastructure
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Richard Arnold, morning mate. Morning Mike.
Who do US officials suspect hacked water infrastructure and why?
This water I've been following over the weekend, do they actually know it's, you know, who they think it is, the Iranians?
Not 100%, but that's their belief, that the Iran war has extended to the cyber attacks on water supplies now in at least seven US states and maybe many more. Kind of sounds like the stuff from some sci-fi thriller, but now that is precisely what federal officials are suggesting. They say Iran is the main suspect in what's going on, starting with Minnesota, where hackers have been identified targeting some three dozen water supply systems. The hackers have hit water supply and wastewater sites there. They break in, they change the passwords, they halt control over the equipment, and in some cases, water pressure drops, potentially allowing groundwater to seep into pipes. So, water that isn't really clear for drinking.
In other cases, the hackers disable alarms, allowing wastewater systems to turn bad without anyone knowing what's going on. The FBI is warning the state officials to disconnect their systems from the internet and, if necessary, go back to manual controls. There have been warnings that this is exactly the sort of thing, exactly how they thought Iran would retaliate in the case of the Middle East war. So that's why Iran leads the list of these cyber suspects. Michigan now says they're being targeted in this very same way. Trump has been done playing it all in ways that appear to be... Well, absurd. His first response was that this was the result of tampering by the state's Democratic governor, Tim Walz, who was, of course, the running mate with Kamala Harris back in 24.
Well, that's nonsense, obviously. At least seven states now are being hit with these attacks on infrastructure, affecting chemical treatment levels and water pressure. All this as Trump, of course, has been threatening to strike the water and power systems in Iran and to, quote him, beat the effing S out of them. Okay, Washington, as in state, big wildfires. Yeah.
How did hackers reportedly manipulate water systems and what risks did that create?
You know, last week it was France and Spain with those massive wildfires. Right now it's the Pacific Northwest, Washington State and Oregon are seeing what they're describing as the worst fires they've experienced in some 30 years. Howling winds pushing the flames, three big outbreaks near Spokane, but many others as well. The National Guard is deployed in these areas with one firefighter warning they're going to be in shock to see some of the scenes. Oregon is just as bad with a huge heat dome covering the state and some residents saying things like this.
This is a nuclear bomb going off in our neighbourhood. Never have I seen the fire this close and coming over the ridge like that.
At least 600 structures have been destroyed. They say around 5,000 are under threat. Fire crews from New Zealand and Australia are helping out. And this is, got to say, a welcome feature of recent fire seasons here at this cooperation. Meantime, Phoenix just tied its all-time heat record for the day with a temp approaching 47 degrees Celsius. You know, I was up in the mountains yesterday. At times it wasn't far off that in the open. And my parked car hit... 50 degrees.
Good on you, mate. See you Wednesday. Appreciate it very much. Richard Arnold states, by the way, if you're interested, Bernie Moreno, Senator, father of Emily Moreno, has made allegations of domestic and child abuse about her ex-husband, who's a Republican or representative called Max Miller. Anyway, Marino Sr. is calling for Miller to exit the House. I believe Max Miller needs to seek professional help to end the clear pattern of abuse he's left in his wake. I believe he should not be free to continue endangering others until he does. Miller responded on X, saying it's all political and it's nonsense. But anyway, it's got a bit of a head of steam, that particular story, if you want to follow that. Meantime, this Chinese fascination that the Americans have at the moment
I was telling you about the cars last week and the AI and the robots and the humanoids and all that stuff.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:02
2
Who do US officials suspect hacked water infrastructure and why?
0:02–2:06
3
How did hackers reportedly manipulate water systems and what risks did that create?
2:06–4:19
4
Why is Iran considered a likely cyber suspect tied to Middle East tensions?
4:19–4:41
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from The Mike Hosking Breakfast
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