The FBI has warned the US energy sector about 'network scanning activity' coming from different Russia-based IP addresses in an advisory obtained by AP. The advisory notes that Russian hackers have recently scanned the networks of at least 5 US energy companies and at least 18 other companies in sectors including the defence industrial base and financial services in possible preparation for cyberattacks. 

'This scanning activity has increased since the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, leading to a greater possibility of future intrusions,' the advisory elaborates, further explaining that 'While the FBI recognizes that scanning activity is common on a network, these reported IPs have been previously identified as conducting activity in conjunction with active exploitation of a foreign victim, which resulted in destruction of the victim's systems.'