# Hackers Already Inside American Utilities, Cyber Experts Warn

> Cyber experts warn hackers could be inside U.S. utilities, posing 'Trojan horse' threat.
- Title: Hackers Already Inside American Utilities, Cyber Experts Warn
- Summary: Cyber experts warn hackers could be inside U.S. utilities, posing 'Trojan horse' threat. Cybersecurity experts say hackers may already be inside American…
- Keywords: cybersecurity, american utilities, trojan horse, critical infrastructure, hackers, cyberattack, france, refrigerators, water systems, ai threats, news, politics
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/tech/hackers-already-inside-american-utilities-cyber-experts-warn-trojan-horse-threat
- Author: Robert McGreevy
- Published: 2026-10-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cybersecurity, american utilities, trojan horse, critical infrastructure, hackers, cyberattack, france, refrigerators, water systems, ai threats, news, politics
## French Supermarket Cyberattack
French supermarkets faced millions in losses after refrigerators overheated overnight.

> Unknown hackers took over the refrigeration in hundreds of supermarkets across France, raising temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, causing massive spoilage
## John Walsh on U.S. Vulnerabilities
Cybersecurity expert John Walsh warns U.S. critical infrastructure is vulnerable to similar attacks.

> Think about if we don't have water for seven days, or if they attack freezers and we don't have food
## Legacy Systems at Risk
U.S. critical infrastructure uses 15-20 year old systems that no longer receive updates.

> A primary obstacle in [operational technology] environments, whether in food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, oil, or utilities, is that facilities operate assets that are 15 to 20 years old
## Security vs. Resilience
Cybersecurity shifts from preventing attacks to assuming hackers are already inside systems.

> Security is kind of like, 'I feel i can trust that things are okay.' Resilience is where you make the assumption the attacker is present
## Trojan Horse Threat
Hackers could already be inside electrical grids and other critical infrastructure.

> A so-called trojan horse could already be inside america's electrical grid and other critical infrastructure, just waiting for the adversary to activate it
## Real-World Examples
2026 cyberattack on Minnesota water systems shows similar vulnerabilities exist.

> We see the adversary, potentially a geopolitical adversary, basically practicing their art and demonstrating their art in different locations
## What Happens Next
U.S. needs governance to push industries to implement cybersecurity protections.

> We're definitely more vulnerable, they're definitely targeting us, and citizens, government, and the international community need to get governance in place to push industries to implement these protections
## Key takeaway

Cybersecurity experts say hackers may already be inside American utilities, risking widespread disruption.