U.S. Cyber Attack News Updates -- December 18, 2020

Daily Mail: Microsoft identifies AT LEAST 40 government agencies and companies targeted in 'nine-month long Russian' hack that breached US nuclear agencies and warns it will rise 'substantially' - as feds say attack poses 'grave threat'

* Microsoft has already identified at least 40 government agencies and companies targeted in the massive suspected Russian hack

* The software titan said that 80 percent of the victims it has uncovered so far are in the United States and warns that number will rise 'substantially'

* It did not reveal the names of those infiltrated by hackers but said nearly half were tech companies

* Two US agencies responsible for maintaining America's nuclear weapons stockpile have already said they were compromised in the attack

* The attack also breached the Pentagon, FBI, Treasury and State Departments

* The nation's cybersecurity agency is warning the attack poses a 'grave threat' to government and private networks

* Despite all fingers pointing to Russia as the source of the worst-ever hack of US government agencies, President Donald Trump has been silent

* Republican Sen. Mitt Romney savaged Trump on Friday, tweeting that the White House's silence for was 'inexcusable'

Microsoft says it has already identified at least 40 government agencies and companies targeted in the suspected Russian hack that breached US nuclear agencies in what is being described as the biggest attack in American history.

The software titan said that 80 percent of the victims it has uncovered so far are in the United States and warns that number will rise 'substantially' as the scope of the sprawling attack continues to unfold.

A heat map of infections released by Microsoft, which has helped respond to the breach, shows that those infiltrated by the hackers are spread out across the US with agencies, companies and think tanks in New York, Washington DC and Texas among the hardest hit.

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U.S. Cyber Attack News Updates -- December 18, 2020

Massive cyberattack grows beyond US, heightening fears -- AFP

Energy Dept., nuclear weapons agency breached in 'remarkable' cyberattack -- UPI

Cyberattack on US Department of Energy a 'grave threat' -- DW

US intelligence agencies confirm ‘significant and ongoing’ hack into government networks -- France 24

US cybersecurity agency warns of 'grave threat' after 'critical infrastructure' hacked -- ABC News (Australia)

Hack Against US Is 'Grave' Threat, Cybersecurity Agency Says -- Military.com/Canadian Press

US cyber-attack: US energy department confirms it was hit by Sunburst hack -- BBC

US scrambling to understand fallout of suspected Russia hack -- The Guardian

With Trump silent, reprisals for hacks may fall to Biden -- AP