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I think they are worried. When the USA puts their focus on a single thing, usually they can crack the case. See Ross Ulbricht / Silk Road.

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I think this is a good point. Messing with oil is probably the fastest way to bring the full weight of the US gov to bear upon you.

> messing with oil

That is an incredible understatement. Disrupting key infrastructure would be considered an act of war if it was done by a state actor. I'm not sure what the equivalent characterization would be for a non-state actor.

I do realize that in this case, as reported, the hack involved the IT systems and not the operational systems but I think my point still stands.

And that's the long story: tech is continuing to give individuals the powers only states had in the past. States are unsure how to respond. In addition, this allows actual states to attack other states and use individuals or small groups as shields.

Not an easy place to be.

Bingo.

Ross ran afoul of the FBI. Attacking a gas pipeline is somewhere between a terrorist attack and a military attack. If I were them I’d be less concerned about the FBI and more about being declared a terrorist and being put on a kill list.

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