Hackers Disable Oil Tanker Communications, Put Engines into Overdrive

Two oil tankers, VL Prosperity and Kohaku, were targeted by hackers while en route to Texas. The FBI and US Coast Guard boarded VL Prosperity after indications of a foreign cyber compromise.

The VL Prosperity, carrying 2.3 million barrels of oil, requested assistance from law enforcement three days before its scheduled arrival in Galveston. A team of experts found malicious cyber activity on the vessel's network.

The attackers allegedly infiltrated engine-room systems, increasing engine speed and disabling fuel and engine-oil tanks. Communications were knocked offline for a day and a half. No group has claimed responsibility, but Iranian media suggested it was a message from Iran's 'Resistance Front' to Washington.