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Russia Targeted 21 States’ Election Systems, Trump Admin Official Says

 

During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday, an official with the Department of Homeland Security testified that there is evidence that before November’s presidential election, Russia attempted to attack computer systems related to the election in 21 states.

Jeanette Manfra, the acting under secretary for cybersecurity and communications for DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate, did not say which states were targeted, or if any of the attacks were successful. It has previously been reported that systems in Arizona and Illinois were hit by hackers.

When Senator Mark Warner asked for specifics, Manfra said she preferred not to discuss it in the open hearing. Warner asked if officials in the states themselves were aware that their states were targeted. Manfra only said that the system owners in the states “are aware of the targeting.”

Manfra pointed out that while election systems were targeted, no vote tallies in any of the states were altered or affected.

[Image via screengrab]

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