Stuxnet Virus

Stuxnet Virus

Introduction

Stuxnet virus is a form of computer worm that was discovered in the year 2010.Initially it started to spread through Microsoft windows and it was created to target Siemens industrial software and equipment. However, this is not the first virus that hackers have created to attack computer systems, but it is the first malware that was designed to spy and subverts industrial system. It was also one of the first viruses that consisted a programmable logic controller.

The virus initially spreads indiscriminately but it consists of a malware that was created to target and spy Siemens supervisory control and data acquisition. Stuxnet basically targets the step 7 software that is designed to control and reprogram these devices.

The Stuxnet virus targeted five main organizations of Iran. Its main objective was to attack the uranium infrastructure in Iran. According to a survey around 60% of computers that were targeted were in Iran.siemens observed that the virus did not create any harm to its customers but it did affect the nuclear program of Iran which used Siemens equipment.

Discussion

Stuxnet did very little harm to computers; it was designed to hit its specific targets. While the worm is promiscuous, it makes itself inert if Siemens software is not found on infected computers, and contains safeguards to prevent each infected computer from spreading the worm and finally erasing itself from the computer.

Origin of Stuxnet virus

There are many theories about the origin of Stuxnet virus. As many researchers say that Stuxnet virus was created by the US government and the Israels.Their mission was to attack the nuclear power plant in Iran. Antivirus companies discovered the virus in 2010 but many researchers say that the virus started spreading in the year 2009. (Schneier, 2010).

Iran and its nuclear plant

Researchers believe that Stuxnet virus was planted by the Israelis to attack Iran nuclear plant. Iran was on its way to develop its nuclear weapon. Iran was quite confident about the nuclear weapon and wanted to push Israel into the sea. During that time Israeli already showed willingness to destroy Iran's nuclear weapon. (Sanger, 2010).

The Stuxnet virus consisted of a registration key with a certain value which has also taken as clue by many observers. There was on Jewish guy and 37 people who executed the virus and they were accused of spying and targeting the nuclear weapon of Iran. However it has not been proved that the Jewish had any ...