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Biden Administration Sanctions Russia Over 'Worst Nightmare' Cyberattack : Consider This from NPR Last year, hackers believed to be directed by the Russian intelligence service, the SVR, slipped a malicious code into a routine software update from a Texas- based company called SolarWinds. They then used it as a vehicle for a massive cyberattack against America and successfully infiltrated Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and other companies, and federal agencies including the Treasury Department, Justice Department, Energy Department and the Pentagon.

The Biden administration recently announced a roster of tough sanctions against Russia as part of what it characterized as the "seen and unseen" response to the SolarWinds breach.

NPR investigative correspondent Dina Temple-Raston has spent months examining the landmark attack that — based on interviews with dozens of players — reveals a hack unlike any other.

In participating regions, you'll also hear from local journalists about what's happening in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

Consider This from NPR

The Story Behind The SolarWinds Cyberattack

The Story Behind The SolarWinds Cyberattack

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An NPR investigation into the SolarWinds attack reveals a hack unlike any other, launched by a sophisticated adversary intent on exploiting the soft underbelly of our digital lives. Zoë van Dijk for NPR hide caption

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Zoë van Dijk for NPR

An NPR investigation into the SolarWinds attack reveals a hack unlike any other, launched by a sophisticated adversary intent on exploiting the soft underbelly of our digital lives.

Zoë van Dijk for NPR

Last year, hackers believed to be directed by the Russian intelligence service, the SVR, slipped a malicious code into a routine software update from a Texas- based company called SolarWinds. They then used it as a vehicle for a massive cyberattack against America and successfully infiltrated Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and other companies, and federal agencies including the Treasury Department, Justice Department, Energy Department and the Pentagon.

The Biden administration recently announced a roster of tough sanctions against Russia as part of what it characterized as the "seen and unseen" response to the SolarWinds breach.

NPR investigative correspondent Dina Temple-Raston has spent months examining the landmark attack that — based on interviews with dozens of players — reveals a hack unlike any other.

In participating regions, you'll also hear from local journalists about what's happening in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Connor Donevan, Brianna Scott and Monika Evstatieva. It was edited by Lee Hale with help from Wynne Davis and Barrie Hardymon. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.