We all knew one day Skynet would arrive and destroy us all. Well Skynet herself hasn't arrived yet, but her bastard child has. This new virus called stuxnet is unlike anything human kind has ever seen.
There are plenty of news articles but I'll break it down for everyone. This virus is more complex than anything that has ever been created, so complicated in fact that it could only come from a powerful nation state ala the U.S. or Israel.
It is the first virus that can actually target critical industrial infrastructure. What this means is this virus could potentially blow up dams, wipe out banks, destroy nuclear power plants, take out plane engines, black out entire power grids and demolish oil pipelines. It is speculated that the virus was created to destroy Iranian nuclear power plants and in fact that majority of infections have come from Iran.
Currently it only targets siemens systems but experts say its only a matter of time before the virus is changed into something far more capable. It seems the first cyberwar has finally begun.
Here are some quotes from news articles around the net;
"Stuxnet will go down in history as the first example of a new class of malware, that has been engineered to weapons-grade performance with nearly no side-effects and pinpoint accuracy in delivering its sabotage payload.”
"The idea of cyber war - disrupting the electricity grid or water supply system, or interfering in computer operated programmes like the air traffic control systems of an enemy - has long been a staple of science fiction."
"To prove the possibilities, O Murchu set up a basic air pump, controlled by a Siemens system, on the stage in front of him. The pump delivered a timed burst of air into a balloon, which inflated moderately. O Murchu then infected the system with Stuxnet, pressed a button, and hey presto! The pump pumped, but did not stop. The balloon went on inflating till it burst. Imagine if the balloon were, in fact, an Iranian nuclear power station."
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