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Two US-bound vessels apparently compromised by hackers, US officials say
Reuters • • nation
Key Points:
- US Coast Guard and FBI boarded two foreign-flagged commercial vessels in the Gulf of Mexico in August after detecting cyber intrusions on their computer networks.
- The operations are part of ongoing US efforts to counter cyber incidents linked by media to Iran amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
- One of the vessels identified is the Liberian-flagged VL Prosperity, currently anchored near Galveston, Texas, with reports indicating hackers manipulated critical engine-room systems.
- Authorities have not disclosed detailed information about the incidents or confirmed the identity of the attackers, though the Coast Guard mentioned involvement of foreign cyber actors.
- Maritime security experts warn such ship-centered cyberattacks are expected to increase and become more frequent in the near future.
