STUXNET VIRUS Stuxnet Virus

Stuxnet Virus

Introduction

Unlike most computer viruses that are designed to harm computer systems, the Stuxnet worm was created to infect industrial machines. And it was immensely successful in its mission. In June last year, this dangerous and very-capable virus nearly sabotaged Iran's nuclear program and also made its way to India and Indonesia. Stuxnet is a type of computer virus, known as a worm that has been designed to target the industrial control systems that manage installations such as power plants, sanitation facilities and other similar systems. Once a system is infected with the Stuxnet virus, the hackers or cyber criminals behind the infection could theoretically take remote control of the system and reprogram the computer to carry out new tasks.

Discussion

How does the Stuxnet virus spread?

The Stuxnet worm is based on a very complex code that exploits numerous known vulnerabilities in computer operating systems - a complexity that has lead some security experts to speculate that the worm may have been created or sanctioned by a nation state for use in any future cyber warfare. Machines can be infected with the Stuxnet virus via the web, but even computers that are offline are vulnerable - the worm can also be transferred between terminals by USB stick.

Who is responsible for the virus?

It is unclear who designed and developed the Stuxnet worm, or where it originates from. However, given the complexity of the virus, security experts believe it may originate from, or be sanctioned by, a nation state for the purposes of cyber aggression (Richard, 2010).

How does Stuxnet work?

The virus works by worming its way in to a computer's operating system. Once activated, it is able to burrow deep in to the system, corrupting files and reprogramming some aspects of the computer's capabilities. It could enable terrorists or cyber criminals to take remote control of a system or network, allowing them to shut it down or issue new instructions to computers within the system.

What kind of systems could it affect?

Stuxnet is designed specifically to exploit vulnerabilities in the industrial systems that are often used to control major installations, such as power plants, sanitation units and gas pipelines. However, security experts believe the worm could also be used to disrupt call centers for the emergency services, banking systems, military networks and even public transport of food distribution networks.

How real is the threat?

The threat posed by the Stuxnet virus is very real, but it is just one of many worms and viruses that are constantly being created by hackers, cyber criminals and even government agencies. Governments around the world are growing increasingly wary of the threat posed by cyber attacks, and many are investing heavily in people, technology and expertise to ensure that critical systems are sufficiently protected, and that key facilities could recover quickly from a cyber attack (Nasser, 2011).

Purpose of Stuxnet Virus

Stuxnet computer virus is designed to sabotage Iran's nuclear program was a collaboration between at least one Western power and the Israeli secret service, a British judge found ...