Development and testing of the Stuxnet worm

Why is it so surprising/impressive that the worm was tested on centrifuges similar to those it was targeting? More than once, the article emphasizes that this is unusual and interesting...am I missing something?

Re: Development and testing of the Stuxnet worm

#5

Post by metachris » Sun, Jan 16, 2011, 3:58 AM UTC

endtime wrote: post #4

Why is it so surprising/impressive that the worm was tested on centrifuges similar to those it was targeting? More than once, the article emphasizes that this is unusual and interesting...am I missing something?

They are complicated, large and extremely expensive. Nothing one could do in a garage.

Re: Development and testing of the Stuxnet worm

#6

Post by bootload » Sun, Jan 16, 2011, 4:09 AM UTC

dmix wrote: post #3

It's seemingly safe to believe that there is a very high probability that the US and Israel are behind Stuxnet. According to Wikipedia, if this is true than 2010 had the first occurrence of cyber-warfare between nation states in our history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuxnet

"... 2010 had the first occurrence of cyber-warfare between nation states in our history ..."

Estonia reported in 2007 - "Russia accused of unleashing cyberwar to disable Estonia" Ian Traynor, Guardian, 17 May 2007 ~ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/may/17/topstories3.russ...

Re: Development and testing of the Stuxnet worm

#7

Post by jaydz » Sun, Jan 16, 2011, 4:11 AM UTC

This story would be more interesting if Microsoft and/or Siemens actually helped develop this malware.

Re: Development and testing of the Stuxnet worm

#8

Post by extension » Sun, Jan 16, 2011, 4:17 AM UTC

I haven't decided yet how to feel about Stuxnet. On one hand, good guys don't release viruses into the wild, period. On the other hand, only good has come from this. Iran doesn't get nukes until later and industry figures out that they need to lock down their machine controllers, without any real damage.

Re: Development and testing of the Stuxnet worm

#9

Post by kenjackson » Sun, Jan 16, 2011, 4:22 AM UTC

jaydz wrote: post #7

This story would be more interesting if Microsoft and/or Siemens actually helped develop this malware.

I think the story would be more interesting if the malware appeared to have come from aliens from outside our solar system who knew that Iran getting nuclear capability would destroy the world and eventually set the galaxy out of balance. They send a virus back through time to stop Iran.

This reporter finds evidence of this in the virus, and additionally finds indications of future events that have yet to unfold, but which this virus will also disrupt.

Otherwise, I think you're left with a pretty mundane story.

Re: Development and testing of the Stuxnet worm

#10

Post by atomical » Sun, Jan 16, 2011, 4:26 AM UTC

extension wrote: post #8

I haven't decided yet how to feel about Stuxnet. On one hand, good guys don't release viruses into the wild, period . On the other hand, only good has come from this. Iran doesn't get nukes until later and industry figures out that they need to lock down their machine controllers, without any real damage.

Aren't people worried Iran could potentially develop something similar to target oil rigs? Is there a guy at the CIA saying, "Oh don't worry about it boys; it's a one off, they'll never be able to figure it out or respond in kind."

At one point Persians were one of the most educated minorities in the US. They have good universities in Iran and I wouldn't put it past them to develop the capabilities to push back against this attack.