Stuxnet is what many state is probably the most sophisticated malware ever. 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. Experts at cybersecurity explain that rogue hackers could never find the time, cash and talent needed to create something as complex since the Stuxnet, evidently developed by a nation-state. Instead of spreading on the internet as most would, Stuxnet goes through printers and thumb drives to discover the details on factories, power plants and water systems that is then hacked. Iran has seen this one of the most leading many to believe the Bushehr nuclear power plant was the target of the Stuxnet.
Was Bushehr reactor sabotaged by Stuxnet?
The first time Stuxnet showed up was in June. This was the first trace of it. Computer security experts can’t figure out the complexity and encryption of the thing, reports the Christian Science Monitor. Stuxnet is the only software known that steals software for chemical plants, factories, power plants and electric grids within the world that has been found. Stuxnet is really a military-grad cyber missile intended on hitting on target. This is as outlined by Cybersecurity researcher, Ralph Langler, who told this to the Monitor. The Target, according to Langer, was the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. He believes the target was hit already. For unknown reasons, Bushehr has delayed its startup. It was expected to start up in August.
How Stuxnet obliterates
Stuxnet has already infected around 45,000 computer systems around the world. The Daily Mail explains that computer systems were hit by Stuxnet that aren’t connected to the web. They aren’t connected to the web for security purposes. USB thumb drives spread the virus to PCs running Microsoft Windows. No clicking or keying is required for Stuxnet to hijack a PC. Stuxnet works to get embedded. After that it just looks for any industrial control systems developed by Siemens. Industrial machinery is given new instructions that are dangerous once it finds the software. Taking control of key processes, Stuxnet may set off a sequence. This is expected to create a self-destruct on the system.
Next era about online warfare after Stuxnet
As a result of the variety of techniques in its package and its code, Stuxnet has set off some alarms. 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. Windows vulnerabilities that weren’t known before are being exploited by the worm. O’Murchu said Stuxnet was a very large, well-planned, well-funded project. In an analysis on his site, Langer said Stuxnet is a directed sabotage attack involving heavy insider knowledge. ”This isn’t some hacker sitting basement of his parents’ house,” he said. It had to be more. “To me, it seems that 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
