In various parts of America, gas pump systems at petrol pumps have been hacked. It is suspected that the United States’ authorities claim it was an Iran-backed cyberattack. Sources acquainted with the investigation are saying that hackers managed to access systems called ‘Automatic Tank Gauges’ which are used at gas stations to track the level of gasoline in the tanks.
Reports suggest that most of the ATG systems are connected to the internet and have no passwords so it was easy for hackers to get inside these systems. It is said that according to officials, hackers managed to change the gas tank levels display on some gas pumps but couldn’t actually change the amount of gasoline in the tanks.
How dangerous is a gas station cyber-attack?
According to the CNN report, as of now, no major accident or damage has been caused due to this cyber-attack. However, US officials and cybersecurity experts state that it is an extremely serious matter. According to them, if hackers have full access to such systems, they might be in a position to hide or not alert authorities to any dangers in their environment, like a gas leak, and these conditions can lead to a fire or other accidents.
US agencies are pointing a finger at Iran because Iranian hackers have in the past been found attacking oil, gas and water supplies. However, officials claim that so far, they have no conclusive evidence that Iran is behind this specific attack.
Cyber-attacks have become Iran’s most potent weapon.
If the US can confirm Iran’s role, it will mark a major cyber-attack on US infrastructure. It comes at a time when tension between the US, and Israel, on one side, and Iran, on the other, is extremely high. It is reported that Iran cannot conduct missile and drone attacks on the US so their only potent weapon left are cyber attacks.
This incident is also going to put more pressure on the US government, given that the war is already contributing to increased gas and fuel prices. According to a CNN survey, 75% of Americans say that Iran war affected them financially and cybersecurity experts have warned that interconnectedATG systems could prove a danger.
How active are Iran-backed hacker groups?
Back in 2015, a cybersecurity firm called Trend Micro posted several mock ATG systems online as part of a security test. Iran-backed hackers were observed attacking these systems. Reports claim that as early as 2021, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard of Iran was reported to have plans of cyber-attacking gas station systems.
Reports claim that ever since the ongoing war started, hacker groups have been extensively attacking the oil, gas, water and medical sectors in the US and they have become much smarter at attacking these systems than before.
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