Posted on 12/09/2010 4:00:33 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants
EXCLUSIVE: Iran's nuclear program is still in chaos despite its leaders' adamant claim that they have contained the computer worm that attacked their facilities, cybersecurity experts in the United States and Europe say.
The American and European experts say their security websites, which deal with the computer worm known as Stuxnet, continue to be swamped with traffic from Tehran and other places in the Islamic Republic, an indication that the worm continues to infect the computers at Iran's two nuclear sites.
The Stuxnet worm, named after initials found in its code, is the most sophisticated cyberweapon ever created. Examination of the worm shows it was a cybermissile designed to penetrate advanced security systems. It was equipped with a warhead that targeted and took over the controls of the centrifuge systems at Iran’s uranium processing center in Natanz, and it had a second warhead that targeted the massive turbine at the nuclear reactor in Bashehr.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
My guess is that the attack could have came from students. The pro-democracy students learned that a frontal attack against the government does not work so they now have started a guerrilla war against the radical leadership. This could be the start of the first fiber revolution.
The rumor is that it was loaded by some other nationals with flash drives. Some nationals that can protect their secrets—which rules us out.
Imagine if Wikileaks put secrets of Iran, Russia, China or Israel. Assange would experience anal leakage.
It really must stux to be them (Iranian nuclear scientists).
DG
While I won’t name any suspected heroes, let me just lift a glass and say “L’Chiam!”
It makes me sad to think that the US used to be able to pull off clandestine operations this good. Now we have to rely on others.
Some people have suggested that Stuxnet was used on the BP platform because BP was behind the pardon for “health reasons” for the Libyan Pan Am 747 Lockerbie bombing.
Wow. I’ve never heard that. Are you suggesting Stuxnet was created/implemented by a private organization? The government going after BP in that way would seem odd.
Who writes this stuff?
Israel could help them destroy all their infected pc’s by just dropping a few bunker busters. All clean now, here’s your bill!
“Why would a nuclear weapons program have a link to the outside world?”
It didn’t.
Scuttlebut is that certain folks’ HOME computers and the computers of consultants were targeted -— indeed, basically all the computers in Iran.
A keyfob thumb drive taken from work to home was the point of contagion.
Well, it effectively blew the equipment up without damaging the nice cement above it.
Sounds like a weapon to me.
Probably some teenager from India who is into xbox games. Outsourcing is affecting everyone.
Nonsense.
Stuxnet targeting Siemens systems.
The BOP on the BP rig was Hydril 18¾ inch 15,000 psi, six-ram system with a Cameron 15,000 psi wellhead connector..
Nothing Siemens on it or near it.
I would be curious on how the underground facility is powered. Was it generators or above ground electricity.
Eletrical utilities have talked about sending internet and Tv over power lines. It can be done. I wonder if the worm could have been interduced through the electricity.
Or was it hidden in the Siemens or other hardware on one of the chips.
If it had no connection to the Internet - how did the worm supposedly contact a server in Malaysia and Denmark at the end of the operation that was reported in the news?
This 'worm' was designed to attack specific items on specific equipment using specific software.
Specifically centrifuges and nuclear turbines.
There are no centrifuges or nuclear turbines on drilling rigs.
The Macondo Well rig wasn't a model of up to date computers and well maintained safety equipment to begin with.
IF somehow the Stuxnet worm had been introduced into one of the computers on the rig, it is almost impossible it could 'do' anything. The rig doesn't run the same software as the sites that were attacked in Iran.
scuttlebut.
The worm is not designed to attack the operating system. It overrides Siemens Command and Control Software which regulates the speed of centrifuges, and the SC+C Software which regulates Nuclear turbine speeds.
Unless you have either one of those on your computer, it would DO NOTHING AT ALL.
I know that. A worm could be used to sabotage a drilling operation or other industrial equipment. The Cameron wellhead supposedly malfunctioned because it had been modified by one of the multiple companies involved in the operation.
The failure to use heavy mud was one porblem but the safeguard supposedly failed or did not react fast enough.
“I wonder if the worm could have been interduced through the electricity.”
No, for reasons too complex to explain here.
“Or was it hidden in the Siemens or other hardware on one of the chips.”
Unlikely, as basically every computer in Iran was infected — a shotgun approach on the theory “eventually this will make it to the target.”
“If it had no connection to the Internet - how did the worm supposedly contact a server in Malaysia and Denmark at the end of the operation that was reported in the news?”
Once infected, it would compile a file, then when connected to any outside drive, transmit the data to the drive. When the drive was connected to a home computer, it would access the web and report back.
“I know a conspiracy nut who believes the stuxnet worm got out of control and caused the gulf oil explosion.”
Of course. We did that right after we trained the sharks to attack tourists in Eqypt.
“It makes me sad to think that the US used to be able to pull off clandestine operations this good. Now we have to rely on others.”
Don’t bitch about foreign aid to Israel. Consider it an investment.
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