nuclear-news

Warning about computer viruses attacking nuclear plants

CIA suspected for ‘super weapon’ attack on Iranian nuclear plant Herald Sun,  December 08, 2011 Computer virus attacked Iranian nuclear plant in 2010 THE CIA is the chief suspect behind a computer virus dubbed the world’s first cyber “super weapon” that attacked an Iranian nuclear plant.

Experts believe it was so sophisticated it could have only been
invented by designers with the backing of a nation state.

The launch of Stuxnet in 2010 marked the transformation of viruses
into weapons of war.

It was purpose-built to attack Iran’s Busehr nuclear plant, overriding
and controlling circuits inside the plant to cause physical damage.

“With Stuxnet we have opened a new chapter in human history,” says
Ralph Langner, the security expert who unravelled the attack.

“There is now no way we can stop or control the proliferation of cyber weapons.”

The sheer sophistication of the attack dazzled experts. It exploited
four separate vulnerabilities in Windows to penetrate and override
industrial control systems designed by Siemens. It would have taken
experts months to design.

The Stuxnet attack was proof that the software in many industrial
plants was vulnerable to attack.

Since then, there has been increased interest in the idea both from
researchers and potential attackers.

Other software has “copied” Stuxnet, raising the alarming possibility
of attackers simply downloading such weapons and unleashing them at
will.

Nations across the world have long warned that future wars will
include cyber assaults.

Potential targets include power plants, pipelines and air traffic
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/technology/cia-suspected-for-super-weapon-attack-on-iranian-nuclear-plant/story-fn7celvh-1226216902746

December 8, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general