According to the Justice Department, three Iranian citizens have been charged with cyberattacks in the United States.
Power companies, local governments, small businesses, and nonprofits, including a domestic violence shelter, were all targeted in the attacks.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Jersey, where a municipality was hacked earlier this year.
The three accused hackers are believed to be in Iran and have yet to be apprehended.
According to a Justice Department official, the charges prevent them from leaving the country.
The suspects are accused of targeting hundreds of victims in the United States and elsewhere.