The video shows an HMI that enables the water company to remotely establish operational levels for various components, including filtration, water turbidity or clarity, water flow rates, and more. Despite the potential linkage to Russia’s Sandworm group, Fabela thinks that, based on the video, the group mainly comprises young amateurs who don’t know what they’re doing.
“They are kids,” he tells CSO. “Just half the time, when they post videos of themselves hacking a water utility, it’s not even like they’re looking to get money. They’re doing it for fun and credibility in their circles.”
According to Fabela, the video shows the hackers randomly adjusting settings until they think they’ve caused something to happen. “They spend three minutes randomly clicking, then they’ll put in some numbers and try it. They don’t know what they’re doing. So, they do this over and over and over until something happens.”
