00:20A new cyber threat alert is raising concerns across America after U.S. officials reportedly
00:26suspect Iranian hackers of breaching fuel monitoring systems linked to gas stations
00:31across multiple states. And the timing is critical. As tensions between Washington and Tehran continue
00:40to escalate, investigators now fear America's critical infrastructure may be increasingly
00:45vulnerable to low-cost but highly disruptive cyber attacks. According to a CNN report, hackers
00:53targeted automatic tank gauge systems, also known as ATGs, devices used to monitor fuel
00:59levels inside underground storage tanks at gas stations. Officials say many of these systems
01:05were shockingly exposed online and, in several cases, protected by little or no password security.
01:11That made them easy targets. Now, importantly, sources say hackers did not change actual fuel
01:18levels inside the tanks, but they allegedly managed to manipulate display readings shown
01:24on monitoring systems. And while that may sound minor, experts warned the implications could be
01:30serious. Because if hackers gained deeper access to these systems, they could potentially trigger
01:36dangerous gas leaks without operators immediately detecting the problem. That is exactly why U.S.
01:43authorities are treating the incidents seriously. And Iran has quickly emerged as a top suspect.
01:50Why? Because Tehran has a long history of targeting fuel infrastructure and industrial control systems
01:56through cyber operations. U.S. investigators say Iranian-linked hacking groups often search for what
02:03cyber security experts call low-hanging fruit, poorly secured American systems connected to oil,
02:09gas and water infrastructure. This is not the first warning sign. After the October 7th Hamas attacks
02:17in 2023, U.S. officials blamed hackers affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for
02:23breaching American water utilities. In some cases, systems controlling water pressure were reportedly
02:29altered to display anti-Israel messages. Even more concerning, cybersecurity researchers have warned about
02:37vulnerable ATG systems for more than a decade. Back in 2015, security firm Trend Micro intentionally placed
02:45fake ATG systems online to monitor hacker activity. According to reports, a pro-Iran hacking group
02:52quickly attempted to access them. And in 2021, internal IRGC documents cited by Sky News allegedly identified
03:01gas station tank systems as potential cyber attack targets. Now, with the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict
03:08intensifying, experts believe Iran's cyber operations are becoming faster, broader, and more aggressive.
03:15Since the war began earlier this year, Iran-linked hackers have reportedly disrupted oil and gas facilities,
03:22targeted water systems, delayed shipments at medical device company Striker,
03:27and even leaked emails linked to FBI Director Qash Patel. Israeli cyber officials say Iran's operations
03:34now combine traditional hacking with psychological warfare campaigns designed to spread fear and
03:40instability. But perhaps the biggest takeaway here is not just about Iran. It's about America's
03:47infrastructure vulnerabilities. Despite years of warnings from cybersecurity agencies, many critical
03:53industrial systems remain connected to the Internet with weak protections. And this latest breach is now
04:00being seen as another reminder that modern wars are no longer fought only with missiles and drones.
04:05They are increasingly fought through keyboards, networks, and invisible cyber attacks capable of disrupting
04:12the everyday life.
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