Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick • Hacker News Board

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#11

Post by kposehn » Thu, Apr 12, 2012, 11:45 PM UTC

micahgoulart wrote: post #9

One has to question the reason why this information was leaked now. My guess is that Israel or the US wants Iran to be paranoid about a secret agent within their nuclear facilities and go hunting for a mole. Imagine if Israel planted evidence on a prominent Iranian physicist? Good luck proving your innocence. The whole Stuxnet story would make for a great spy novel, that's for sure.

We've been at covert war with them for some time, and this is just another shot fired.

That said, one hell of a shot. They hit Iran, Syria, Russia, China (and Germany!) with one little leaked bullet...each of those countries is eyeing their industrial processes and engineers just a but more closely after today.

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#12

Post by redthrowaway » Thu, Apr 12, 2012, 11:48 PM UTC

joering2 wrote: post #10

redthrowaway wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They introduced the worm with an infected USB drive. What did you want clarification on?

ok sorry I was confused.

No worries.

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#13

Post by nitrogen » Thu, Apr 12, 2012, 11:50 PM UTC

loverobots wrote: post #8

morturus wrote: post #5

US itself and Israel engaged in sabotage of foreign countries development? you don't say...

Well, Iran's leaders have stated that they wish to wipe Israel off the map. At least Israel has a legitimate reason to what they are doing and then some.

That suggests there was a first attack in this conflict; AIUI, the Israel vs. middle east conflict is centuries old, and this is just the latest chapter of escalation and posturing. Once could also argue that Iran is justified in wanting to eliminate Israel because Israel is acting to prevent Iran's growth.

Don't mistake my words for wanting to live in Iran -- I just find myself disgusted when we westerners use a ridiculous double standard when judging our own behavior as compared to that of some country we don't like.

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#14

Post by eli » Thu, Apr 12, 2012, 11:51 PM UTC

kefs wrote: post #7

redthrowaway wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ars is not known for shoddy reporting. It is, however, basically a rewrite of the original ISSSource article: http://www.isssource.com/stuxnet-loaded-by-iran-double-agent...

Ars > ISSSource > Richard Sale > UPI > News World Communications > Unification Church

UPI is (or was) a legitimate news organization and, anyway, Richard Sale was there before it was bought by Rev. Moon. If you're trying to imply there's a connection there, I think you're wrong.

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#15

Post by redthrowaway » Thu, Apr 12, 2012, 11:52 PM UTC

kefs wrote: post #7

redthrowaway wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ars is not known for shoddy reporting. It is, however, basically a rewrite of the original ISSSource article: http://www.isssource.com/stuxnet-loaded-by-iran-double-agent...

Ars > ISSSource > Richard Sale > UPI > News World Communications > Unification Church

Is your contention that, because the original author once worked for a subsidiary of a newspaper founded by a religious nutjob that the story is unreliable?

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#16

Post by loverobots » Fri, Apr 13, 2012, 12:03 AM UTC

nitrogen wrote: post #13

loverobots wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, Iran's leaders have stated that they wish to wipe Israel off the map. At least Israel has a legitimate reason to what they are doing and then some.

That suggests there was a first attack in this conflict; AIUI, the Israel vs. middle east conflict is centuries old, and this is just the latest chapter of escalation and posturing. Once could also argue that Iran is justified in wanting to eliminate Israel because Israel is acting to prevent Iran's growth. Don't mistake my words for wanting to live in Iran -- I just find myself disgusted when we westerners use a rid…

It's more than judging "behavior," Iran has specifically said that they want to wipe Israel off the map. More than once. So it is, or it may be a matter of life and death, not just tolerating someone's odd choice in clothes, or whatever.

Is Iran bluffing, are Iran's leader rational or brainwashed religious fanatics? When all it takes is one nuke, why should Israel wait to find out?

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#17

Post by kai-zer » Fri, Apr 13, 2012, 12:05 AM UTC

morturus wrote: post #5

US itself and Israel engaged in sabotage of foreign countries development? you don't say...

Development of weapons-grade uranium for which the only purpose is for use in weapons of mass destruction...

You make it sound like that is a bad thing.

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#18

Post by AngrySkillzz » Fri, Apr 13, 2012, 12:09 AM UTC

kai-zer wrote: post #17

morturus wrote: post #5

US itself and Israel engaged in sabotage of foreign countries development? you don't say...

Development of weapons-grade uranium for which the only purpose is for use in weapons of mass destruction... You make it sound like that is a bad thing.

A statement for which you have no evidence. And what threat does Iran pose to the United States? None at all.

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#19

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Apr 13, 2012, 12:22 AM UTC

nitrogen wrote: post #13

loverobots wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, Iran's leaders have stated that they wish to wipe Israel off the map. At least Israel has a legitimate reason to what they are doing and then some.

That suggests there was a first attack in this conflict; AIUI, the Israel vs. middle east conflict is centuries old, and this is just the latest chapter of escalation and posturing. Once could also argue that Iran is justified in wanting to eliminate Israel because Israel is acting to prevent Iran's growth. Don't mistake my words for wanting to live in Iran -- I just find myself disgusted when we westerners use a rid…

[deleted]

Re: Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

#20

Post by Retric » Fri, Apr 13, 2012, 12:23 AM UTC

AngrySkillzz wrote: post #18

kai-zer wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Development of weapons-grade uranium for which the only purpose is for use in weapons of mass destruction... You make it sound like that is a bad thing.

A statement for which you have no evidence. And what threat does Iran pose to the United States? None at all.

That's a rather strong statement.

Some people would argue that Iran with weapons grade uranium could reasonably increase the chances that 50,000 Americans will die in the next 10 years by more than 1 in 10,000. That suggests the US could reasonably kill 5 Iranians to deal with the threat. However, Iran would respond to such action which suggests a more limited response such such as planting a virus is reasonable as long as the US can get away with it.

PS: That's how these people think, rare events vs lot's of deaths = covert and deniable action.