Stuxnet is a computer worm that infects industrial-class computers and operating systems. It was designed to provoke chaos in such systems. It is feared to be capable of taking over the system’s brain which would allow it to take total control. It does not steal your personal data, it’s not a baby worm.
Now, many questions remain unanswered. Who created it? Why?
Fortunately, certain events brought light to the situation. We know that Iran and China were attacked.
PhysOrg reports:
The Stuxnet computer worm has wreaked havoc in China, infecting millions of computers around the country, state media reported this week.
Governments fear cyberwarfare. The thing is that they do not possess all the necessary defense infrastructure to deal with it. That is why Stuxnet is not making headlines—not because it is harmless.
“The Stuxnet worm is a wake-up call to governments around the world,” Derek Reveron, a cyber expert at the US Naval War School, was quoted as saying Thursday by the South China Morning Post.
Still, it is important to note something. Stuxnet is not fated to destroy systems. It is fated to prepare them to further attacks. We may be in a state of pure speculation, right now, but to weaken industry computers is to “brace for carnage”—if you play Halo: Reach.
Now, who could have possibly created it? Some say it’s Israel, some say it’s the United States (Western nations were also mentioned).
The IDF has shifted focus to cyberwarfare, earlier this week. Are they using the old technique: saying one thing so big and making something even bigger to make it look like they’re innocent? What I mean is since they have shifted focus to cyberwarfare, could they be behind Stuxnet? Wouldn’t it be too big? They’re probably happy watching a worm spreading chaos in Iran, but did they design it?
The US? Again, it would be way too big. China and Iran. I know they’re not subtle but come on.
But who, then? I suggest to read War in Context for further information and development regarding this story. I’ll also be closely watching it.
This is in no way related to technology, but it still is quite funny. Cheers, kottke for discovering it.