Stuxnet Worm

[Mathew]

A super virus that was used to disrupt Iran's nuclear programme has been traded on the black market and could be used by terrorists, according to Sky News sources.

Senior cyber-security figures have said the Stuxnet worm - the first to have been used to damage targets in the real world - could be used to attack any physical target which relies on computers.
The list of vulnerable installations is almost endless – they include power stations, food distribution networks, hospitals, traffic lights and even dams.

A senior IT security source said: "We have hard evidence that the virus is in the hands of bad guys – we can't say any more than that but these people are highly motivated and highly skilled with a lot of money behind them.

"You could shut down power stations, you could shut down the transport network across the United Kingdom" - Will Gilpin

"And they have realised that this kind of virus could be a devastating tool."
Will Gilpin, an IT security consultant to the UK Government said: "You could shut down the police 999 system.
"You could shut down hospital systems and equipment.

"You could shut down power stations, you could shut down the transport network across the United Kingdom."
The Stuxnet attack on the Bushehr nuclear installation in Iran is believed to have been orchestrated by a country.



There has been a steady rise in cyber attacks in recent years

Now experts warn that the West is extremely vulnerable to similar attacks by criminal gangs seeking blackmail payouts or more likely by terrorist groups.

Stewart Baker, a former assistant secretary with the US Department of Homeland Security, said: "They could shut down power systems, dams, almost any sophisticated industrial process that requires a control software. Which is practically everything."

There has been a rise in cyber attacks in recent years.
On April 8, 15% of all internet traffic was routed through China for 18 minutes in a mysterious incident the Chinese authorities have denied any part in.

The Royal Navy's website was shut down on November 5, allegedly by a Romanian hacker.
In October, the UK Government declared cyber warfare to be a "tier 1" threat to national security.
But experts say a more co-ordinated effort is needed to tackle attacks, along the lines of the Cyber Command agency set up in the US this year.

Are we safe?

[:LUFC:]

wow

Edited by Shar (Trialist Forum Moderator) Please do not post pointlessly, thanks.

[GommeInc]

Simple, don't rely on computers for everything. Just have a small glowing box with commands working in the corner that only works internally, rather than have any external communications. I somehow doubt the traffic lights rely on such a thing, but fair dos, everything is an action film these days

[ChickenFaces]

super viruses are so last year.

[Conservative,]

Tbh this could be an amazing weapon -

Shut down rail service - set a bomb off - shut down 999 - set off a dam - BAM the city is ******. The police would have no idea what is going on, people would be dead, the city would be flooded and no one would have a clue how or why.

[Stephen]

don't worry guys, norton antivirus will save the day!

[Inseriousity.]

A senior IT security source said: "We have hard evidence that the virus is in the hands of bad guys"

In the hands of bad guys. Sounds like a job for Bond... James Bond.

[GommeInc]

A senior IT security source said: "We have hard evidence that the virus is in the hands of bad guys"

In the hands of bad guys. Sounds like a job for Bond... James Bond.

Or the Spy Kids - it seems so odd and wonderful that maybe, just maybe, they could do something about it. Bond would be too busy driving in a car he is sponsored to drive, using computers and gadgets also sponsoring him. It's be madness!

Let's face it, we need Mr. Bean

I have a feeling this may just be fear mongering... I'm sure it's avoidable, and wouldn't end in traffic lights shooting lasers out of each light zapping anyone walking by. I'm fairly sure traffic lights and other such tech relies on an internal system than an external system. The rail system I'm not sure about, it's probably something that can be solved with communication, than a system problem.

[StefanWolves]

sky news always hype things up... this was most probably created by a western power anyway (i don't buy into all this that the UK and US are way behind when it comes to cyber warfare) which would explain why it messed up that iranian nuclear power station.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Don't worry people, our politicians will save us all - by implementing supervirus taxes, which will halt any virus in its tracks and protect us all.

..and I wouldn't put it past them either, fear is a fantastic tool for them to bring about what they want.