Washington, Apr. 8: Chinese and Russian cyber spies have penetrated the U. S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials.

According to Fox News, the spies are also from other countries, and they were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U. S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven''t sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war.

The espionage appeared pervasive across the U. S. and doesn''t target a particular company or region, said a former Department of Homeland Security official.

"There are intrusions, and they are growing. There were a lot last year," he added.

Many of the intrusions were detected not by the companies in charge of the infrastructure but by U. S. intelligence agencies, officials said. Intelligence officials worry about cyber attackers taking control of electrical facilities, a nuclear power plant or financial networks via the Internet.

Officials said water; sewage and other infrastructure systems also were at risk. (ANI)