【Watch 2 Fast 2 Furious Online】

The Watch 2 Fast 2 Furious OnlineUnited States formally accused Russia of tampering with the 2016 election.

According to a joint report by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued Thursday, Russian intelligence operatives gained access to "a U.S. political party"—presumably the Democratic National Committee—in two separate instances, and were able to steal files from the organization and people involved with it.

The report's release coincided with the announcement of sanctions against Russia, including the expulsion of 35 diplomats.

---

You May Also Like

---

---

The report confirms previous reports about the hacking of the DNC, which led to the leak of emails that sparked a variety of conspiracies and accusations of bias. Cybersecurity experts who investigated the DNC hack found similar strategies were used to gain access to computers to then steal files and other security credentials.

The FBI/DHS also provided some handy visuals to understand how it all went down, and gave the Russian operation a name: Grizzly Steppe.

Mashable Trend Report Decode what’s viral, what’s next, and what it all means. Sign up for Mashable’s weekly Trend Report newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

The diagram below, published in the report, shows how U.S. intelligence believes Russian hackers were able to send out links that then collected security credentials that allowed access to the computer systems of their targets, which then allowed for the installation of malicious programs that provided the hackers with the ability to access files that could then be stolen.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The report notes that Russia's operation included targets outside of the DNC, with government organizations, think tanks, universities and corporations, as well as other infrastructure networks.

And they're not necessarily done.

"Actors likely associated with [Russian Intelligence Services] are continuing to engage in spearphishing campaigns, including one launched as recently as November 2016, just days after the U.S. election," the report states.

The report was also backed up by a joint statement from Jeh Johnson, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and James Clapper, director of national intelligence, which stated that "the intelligence community is confident the Russian Government directed recent compromises of e-mails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizations, and that the disclosures of alleged hacked e-mails on sites like DC.Leaks.com and WikiLeaks are consistent with the Russian-directed efforts."

The U.S. first accused Russia of the DNC campaign hack in October. In May, Clapper warned of signs that the U.S. presidential campaigns had been the target of hackers, though he did not accuse Russia.

Included in Thursday's report is an "indicator of compromise" — a piece of code that is believed to have been used by Russian hackers that indicates a breach.

• Digital Culture
• Life
• Entertainment
• Tech
• Social Good
• Science
• Games
• Shopping

• Get Out of the Van
• Lebanese ministry calls for ban of 'Wonder Woman' movie
• 'The Bachelorette' was a two
• This refugee aid app was a passion project. Now hundreds of nonprofits rely on it.
• Let Us Compare Mythologies
• 'The Bachelorette' was a two
• You used to call Trump on his cellphone
• Will a robot take your job? This website provides an answer (that you probably won't like)
• WorryFree™ and Always on Script
• The problem with millennials isn’t millennials—it’s how you’re leading them

• Nintendo Switch is the No. 2 console on the market
• Now there's a dating app in Slack. What could possibly go wrong?
• We can stop being amazed that pregnant women can do amazing things
• Flying cars aren't real yet, but these supersonic vehicles already exist
• Google Home update allows Assistant to access 5 million new recipes
• Dozens of humpback whales have died in the last year and nobody knows why
• New Doritos bag will play you the entire 'Guardians 2' soundtrack. Really.
• Katy Perry and Haim will be bringing their new music to 'SNL'
• Obama's shade
• Man photobombs live TV interview with spectacular Dr. Evil impression

• Streambait Pop
• Samsung's new Notebook 9 Pro laptops will entice creative professionals
• Game of Thrones Season 7 could put Dany's dragons in danger
• Who will win the Game of Thrones? Our updated power rankings
• Slicker Cities
• Kindergarteners take photos of each other at graduation and yes, we need a tissue
• Apple's obsession with fitness and fashion is hurting the Apple Watch
• Ariana Grande's mom shares heartwarming message on Memorial Day
• Under the Australian Sun
• Hands on with the reMarkable, the closest thing to paper since paper

• Benefactors and Malefactors
• Andy Rubin explains why his new Essential phone looks so weird
• 'Wonder Woman' is the most inspiring superhero movie in years
• Steve Ballmer shows off his AI
• Border Theater
• Of course Obama's old photographer hilariously trolled Trump's 'covfefe' tweet
• Kathy Griffin's bloody Trump photo gets the internet to agree on something
• Apple's obsession with fitness and fashion is hurting the Apple Watch
• Business as Usual
• Like Kickstarter, but for legal cases