Stuxnet is new and being described by . One of the most sophisticated malware ever is probably the most common description. Computer security experts around the world are amazed by it. They believe that Stuxnet developers created the worm as a search and destroy weapon for sabotage. The cybersecurity experts say that only a nation-state, not a band of rogue hackers, would have the time, cash and talent to develop a worm with the complexity of Stuxnet. Rather than spreading on the web as most would, Stuxnet goes via printers and thumb drives to find the info on factories, power plants and water systems that is then hacked. The Stuxnet is expected to be targeting the Bushehr nuclear power plant. This is because it has been showing up in Iran the most often.
Is Stuxnet interested in sabotaging the Bushehr reactor?
June was the first time Stuxnet was detected. The Christian Science Monitor explains that the encryption of the program is extremely complex. In fact, computer security experts are extremely confused by it. Stuxnet is the only software found that can do what it can. No other program can steal specific information about power plants, electric grids, chemical plants and factories. Stuxnet is really a military-grad online missile intended on hitting on target. This is according to Cybersecurity researcher, Ralph Langler, who told this to the Monitor. Langer suggests that target has already been hit: Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant. For unknown reasons, Bushehr has postponed its startup. It was expected to start up in August.
How Stuxnet is expected to work
Stuxnet has already infected around 45,000 computer systems throughout the world. The Daily Mail reports that the worm targets computer systems that aren’t connected to the internet for security reasons. Instead, it infects PCs running Microsoft Windows via USB thumb drives. No clicking or keying is needed for Stuxnet to hijack a PC. Once embedded, Stuxnet seeks out software developed by Siemens that runs industrial control systems. Industrial machinery is given new instructions that are dangerous once it finds the software. Stuxnet is expected to make systems self-destruct as it takes control of key processes.
Warfare that is cyber begun by Stuxnet
Alarms have been hit with Stuxnet. This is because its code is so complex along with the numerous different techniques in it. BBC News explained that Liam O’Murchu of Symantec, discovering the worm and tracking it down, claims that Stuxnet works by spreading with new techniques never seen. The worm works with vulnerabilities in Windows. These weren’t known before this. The project for Stuxnet was said by O’Murchu to have been well-funded. It also had to be well-planned. In an analysis on his site, Langer said Stuxnet is a directed sabotage attack involving heavy insider knowledge. ”This isn’t some hacker sitting within the basement of his parents’ house,” he explained clearly. “To me, it seems the resources needed to stage this attack point to a nation state.”
Further reading
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0921/Stuxnet-malware-is-weapon-out-to-destroy-Iran-s-Bushehr-nuclear-plant
Daily Mail
dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1314580/Stuxnet-worm-targeted-Iranian-nuclear-power-station-sophisticated-virus-attack-ever.html?ITO=1490
BBC News
bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11388018
