Nine U.S. Agencies Have Largely Removed Russia-Linked Malware

The nine federal agencies that were infiltrated by suspected Russian attackers last year have largely eradicated the malware from their networks and are now looking for lingering hackers, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security official.

In the aftermath of the cyber-attack -- in which the hackers compromised popular software made by the Texas-based firm SolarWinds Corp. and infiltrated the agencies -- most of the nine federal victims have finished reviewing their networks to ensure the malware has been removed, according to the official, who briefed reporters under the condition of anonymity. The agencies have moved to a second phase which involves gaining confidence that no attackers remain, the official said.