Premium Essay

Stuxnet Virus

In: Computers and Technology

Submitted By Sundeero
Words 1195
Pages 5
Stuxnet Virus
According to counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke, Stuxnet was a weaponized malware computer worm. Stuxnet was launched in mid-2009, it did major damage to Iran’s nuclear program in 2010 and then spread to computers all over the world (Clarke, 2012).
Type of Breach
The Stuxnet is a computer worm, “it is a digital ghost with countless lines of code… it was able to worm its way into Iran’s nuclear fuel enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran” (Clarke, 2012). A worm is a program that spreads copies of itself through a network and a worm can also spread copies of itself as a stand-alone program (Pfleeger & Pfleeger, 2007).
How the Breach Occurred
On June 17, 2010, Sergey Ulasen, head of a small computer security firm called VirusBlokAda, was going his through e-mail when a report caught his attention. A computer belonging to an Iranian customer was caught in a reboot loop; it was “shutting down and restarting repeatedly despite efforts by operators to take control of it. It appeared the machine was infected with a virus” (Zetter, 2011).
Ulasen’s research team got hold of the virus infecting their client’s computers. They realized it was using a “zero-day” exploit to spread (Zetter, 2011). Zero-days are the hacking world’s most potent weapons: The virus exploits vulnerabilities in software that are not yet known to the software maker or antivirus vendors. They’re also exceedingly rare; it takes considerable skill and persistence to find such vulnerabilities and exploit them (Zetter, 2011).
In this example, the exploit allowed the virus to spread from one computer to another via infected USB sticks. The vulnerability was in the LNK file of Windows Explorer, a fundamental component of Microsoft Windows (Zetter, 2011). Once an infected USB stick was inserted into a computer, “as Explorer automatically scanned the contents of the stick, the exploit code

Similar Documents

Free Essay

None

...concern ourselves with a potential cyber war, we will likely look back at a virus, created a couple of years ago, that became known as Stuxnet. At this point, very few people know of Stuxnet, and, even the ones that do know aren’t quite sure where it originated, which is a bit concerning. Because of its target on Iran’s nuclear program, many people suspect that the U.S., Israel, or Jordan could have created the virus, but no one knows for sure. While there are many different viruses out there in the world, Stuxnet was one of the most unique ever created. Ralph Langner discovered that Stuxnet had two components, and many suspect him as a possible source for the virus. In addition to its two components, there were many other aspects that made Stuxnet unique. Due to its frequent updates, Stuxnet had four zero day exploits, which is unheard of. These updates helped prevent collateral damage, giving Stuxnet the ability to focus on the machinery that it wanted to take out without affecting surrounding sources. The virus was able to focus on this machinery because it was searching for programmable-logic controllers, made by Siemens. Stuxnet was unique in that it had access to genuine signatures, meaning it did not have to create false signatures like most viruses. On top of that, it was able to switch signatures when it needed to. The ability to update and change so drastically and often really gave Stuxnet the leg up against everyone who was trying to stop it from spreading. It was...

Words: 380 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Stuxnet Worm

...STUXNET Worm Webster University SECR-5080 Information Systems Security Author Note Certificate of Authorship: This paper was prepared by me for this specific course and is not a result of plagiarism or self-plagiarism. I have cited all sources from which I used data, ideas, or words either quoted or paraphrased. Abstract Discovered in June of 2010, a computer worm called Stuxnet was designed to attack programmable-logic controllers or PLCs that are used to control switches and values in industries that operate a specific type of on Siemens PLC device using Step7 software running on a Windows operating system. The worm was successful because it was able to exploit a of four zero-day flaw of Windows operating system. Stuxnet was a targeted attack by intelligence agencies to delay the enrichment of uranium by Iran. The Stuxnet worm was the first clear public evidence of sophisticated computer malware to sabotage control systems. The Stuxnet reportedly ruined almost one-fifth of Iran's nuclear centrifuges in 2010. Table of Contents Introduction 5 Stuxnet Worm 5 Stuxnet is a Computer Virus 5 How Stuxnet Works 7 Stuxnet and PLCs 9 Stuxnet: Cyber Warfare? 9 Zero-day flaws and Stuxnet 11 Summary 12 References 14 Table of Figures Figure 1: SIEMINS S7 family of PLC (SIEMINS, n.d) 5 Figure 2: Flash Drive 5 Figure 3: Realtek Semiconductor Corp Logo (RealTek, n.d.). 6 Figure 4: Realtek Certificate (Symantec, 2010). 6 Figure 5: How STUXNET...

Words: 2136 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Vanity Fair in Cyberwar

...A Declaration of Cyber-War | Vanity Fair April 2011 Stuxnet Worm Last summer, the world’s top software-security experts were panicked by the discovery of a drone-like computer virus, radically different from and far more sophisticated than any they’d seen. The race was on to figure out its payload, its purpose, and who was behind it. As the world now knows, the Stuxnet worm appears to have attacked Iran’s nuclear program. And, as Michael Joseph Gross reports, while its source remains something of a mystery, Stuxnet is the new face of 21st-century warfare: invisible, anonymous, and devastating. By Michael Joseph GrossPhotograph by Jonas Fredwall Karlsson EMail GAME OF SHADOWS Eugene Kaspersky, co-founder and C.E.O. of Kaspersky Lab—a Moscow-based computer-security company and an early investigator of Stuxnet—photographed on the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge, near the Kremlin. All over Europe, smartphones rang in the middle of the night. Rolling over in bed, blinking open their eyes, civilians reached for the little devices and, in the moment of answering, were effectively drafted as soldiers. They shook themselves awake as they listened to hushed descriptions of a looming threat. Over the next few days and nights, in mid-July of last year, the ranks of these sudden draftees grew, as software analysts and experts in industrial-control systems gathered in makeshift war rooms in 3 of 14 6/21/2014 10:02 PM A Declaration of Cyber-War | Vanity Fair file:///C:/Users/malbun/Desktop/A...

Words: 7873 - Pages: 32

Free Essay

Information Tech

...The Virus Event Mike Williams Dr. James Wilson Abstract The world’s most complex malware ever created, the Stuxnet virus which was designed and enforced by the U.S. and Israel against Iran a few years ago, may have ended up infecting the International Space Station according to leading security analyst Eugene Kaspersky head of IT security at Kaspersky Labs. The virus was designed to only attack specific software and specific hardware in a specific uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, Iran. Stuxnet, however, isn’t at all specific on the targets it infects – basically it’s all over the world. It’s been long thought that only a country or organization with vasts amounts of resources could develop a virus of Stuxnet’s complexity. Last year, the Obama administration stepped out and confirmed that indeed the virus was made as a joint-operation with Israel against Iran, to nobody’s surprise frankly. A leftover from the Bush administration, Stuxnet operations were accelerated during Obama’s presidency and eventually launched against Iran. How the virus works and propagated itself onto servers It primarily spreads via USB sticks, which allows it to get into computers and networks not normally connected to the Internet. Once inside a network, it uses a variety of mechanisms to propagate to other machines within that network and gain privilege once it has infected those machines. These mechanisms include both known and patched vulnerabilities, and four “zero-day exploits”:...

Words: 1413 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Security in the News

...Student’s Name: Date: ITS111 – Introduction to IS Security Seminar One – Security in the News Attack 1 Title: Home Depot Hit By Same Malware as Target Type of Attack Description: BlackPOS infects computers running Windows that are part of POS systems and have card readers attached to them. Once installed on a POS system, the malware identifies the running process associated with the credit card reader and steals payment card Track 1 and Track 2 data from its memory. This is the information stored on the magnetic strip of payment cards and can later be used to clone them. Attack Description: Its a new variant of “BlackPOS” (a.k.a. “Kaptoxa”), a malware strain designed to siphon data from cards when they are swiped at infected point-of-sale systems running Microsoft Windows. Attack 1 Reference(s) Constantin, L. (2013). Krebs on Security. Retrieved from http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/09/home-depot-hit-by-same-malware-as-target/ Attack 2 Title: The Sony Pictures hack, explained Type of Attack Description: hackers implanted Wiper on Sony's computer infrastructure, a malware software program designed to erase data from the servers. That malware uses Microsoft Windows’ own management and network file sharing features to propagate, shut down network services, and reboot computers Attack Description: It was an attack by North korea in response to the movie “The Interview” a comedy about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader. The attackers stole huge...

Words: 884 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Microbiologist

...Anna Anderson PTLW CSUEB July 2011 Activity 1.1.2 MICROBIOLOGIST * Microbiologist Microbiologists study microscopic bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses. Many of these organisms cause disease (pathogens) and many can provide useful products such as penicillin (antibiotic). * Education and/or Training Required In order to work in this field you must have at least an undergraduate degree in microbiology. Further training with a Masters or Doctorate would be required to do anything other than entry level positions. Excellent microscopy skills and training in aseptic techniques are a must. * Responsibilities and Daily Activities This job requires a strong academic background with a lot of math, chemistry, and biology. Computer and lab skills are essential. Microbiologists grow cultures of bacteria (and other organisms) in medium for study. Using aseptic technique, they grow cultures to measure and calculate the rate of growth and how it grows. They learn what can and cannot kill their organisms and if it is a pathogen, they study ways to stop or slow its growth. In the lab, they work with microscopes, grow cultures, measure the rate of growth, and perform experiments with these organisms. Lab safety is very important in their work. They would NEVER eat or drink in the lab because this could cause contamination or could infect the food they are eating. * Salary Range Microbiologists can work in the academic community, industry or government...

Words: 389 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Chlamydia

...Chlamydia Chlamydia is one of the most common diseases in the United States. The infection is part of a 'silent epidemic' as most cases do not show symptoms and are left untreated. It can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and lead to scarring of the Fallopian tubes causing infertility and higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. The research was carried out at the Molecular Microbiology Group, at the University of Southampton, in conjunction with the Department of Virology, at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, in Israel. Professor Ian Clarke, from the University of Southampton, says: "This is a very significant advance in the study of chlamydia and we are proud to be the first people to achieve this. "Previously people have been unable to study chlamydial genetics and this has created a barrier to the comprehensive study of this disease. "We, together with our colleagues in Israel, discovered that by treating the chlamydia with calcium ions we were able to introduce a piece of foreign DNA. "This will open up the field of chlamydia research and will enable a better understanding of chlamydial genetics. It could lead to the development of new approaches to chlamydial vaccines and therapeutic interventions." To prove that they had accessed the chlamydial genome, the research team inserted the gene for a fluorescent protein into C. trachomatis which identified the chlamydial-infected cells by making them glow green. Their paper detailing the breakthrough in the study of chlamydia...

Words: 267 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Das Monster

...30333, USA. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene [1997, 57(5):519-525] Type: Journal Article Abstract Highlight Terms Gene Ontology(1) Diseases(1) Species(7) A multi-faceted investigation was conducted in the United Arab Emirates to characterize the epidemiologic and ecologic factors underlying an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) noted in November 1994 among abattoir workers. A chart review was conducted among hospitalized suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever with onset between January 1994 and March 1995 coupled with serologic testing of available specimens for the presence of virus antigen and IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA. Livestock handlers and animal skin processors were interviewed and tested for the presence of IgG antibody. Sera from imported and domestic ruminants were examined for antibody for CCHF virus, and ticks collected from these animals were tested with an antigen-capture ELISA. Thirty-five...

Words: 466 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Micropara

...(350 × 270 nm) containing a double-stranded DNA genome with a size of approximately 200 kb, the ends of which are connected by covalent links  - the different OPV species cannot be distinguished by means of electron microscopy  - OPV are closely related to each other with regard to antigens and show marked homology at the genome level - The genome of the poxviruses encodes for 150–200 different genes - Unlike other DNA viruses, poxviruses replicate in the cytoplasm of infected cells in so-called virus factories (Guarnieri inclusion bodies) - Originally, four different infectious virus particles were distinguished during OPV replication: intracellular mature enveloped virus particles, intracellular enveloped virus particles, cell-associated enveloped virus particles, and extracellular enveloped virus particles. Both intracellular and extracellular viruses play an important part for pathogenesis.  - Intracellular and cell-associated viruses are involved in the spreading of the virus from cell to cell, whereas viruses released from the cell enable the dissemination within the infected organism. QUESTION 1: Which of the following can be administered to an individual infected with orthopoxvirus? a. Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Vaccine, Recombinant b. Zoster Vaccine, Live, (Oka/Merck) c. Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) d. Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed ANSWER: C The only product currently available for treatment of complications of orthopox...

Words: 777 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Research Writing

...ENG/102- Research Writing 3-30-2014 Sarah Ghoshal The Reality of AIDS The reality of the AIDS virus comes with bias opinions, fallacies and stereotypes of all kinds. To understand and know the truth about this virus, is to acknowledge facts and become educated. The speech "A Whisper of AIDS" by Mary Fisher addressed arguments and presented the growing concern of ignoring the severity of the disease. The speech by Mary Fisher addressed bias opinions and fallacies. As stated by Mary Fisher, "Because I was not gay, I was not at risk. Because I did not inject drugs, I was not at risk." (American Rhetoric, 2001). These fallacies and biased opinions were based on what people heard or believed, not what they knew. Mary Fisher also addressed the argument of AIDS to be recognized as a virus and not a political creature (American Rhetoric, 2001). Fisher's counter argument said, "Worldwide, forty million, sixty million, or a hundred million infections will be counted in the coming few years." (American Rhetoric, 2001). Her statements showed how ignorant society had been. People believing that they could not get infected, if they were not a drug user or not gay. The effects of her speech were global. As her speech was being broadcasted over numerous networks, 27 million people listened (Shaw, 2012). As stated by Normal Mailer, who was a guy covering the convention, "When Mary Fisher spoke like an angel that night, the floor was in tears, and conceivably the nation as well" (Shaw...

Words: 419 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Anatomy

...Prevención Primaria Prevención Primaria Educación de la higiene, en el uso de protección en relaciones sexuales, y educación en las formas de transmisión del virus en orden de evitarlas lo más posible. Educación de la higiene, en el uso de protección en relaciones sexuales, y educación en las formas de transmisión del virus en orden de evitarlas lo más posible. Buena higiene, protección y evasión de contacto directo con agujas y/o con fluidos corporales sobre todo si se hay sospecha de infección. Vacuna contra VHB. Visita a tu médico. Buena higiene, protección y evasión de contacto directo con agujas y/o con fluidos corporales sobre todo si se hay sospecha de infección. Vacuna contra VHB. Visita a tu médico. Prevención Terciaria Prevención Terciaria Reposo, aislamiento, esterilización de utensilios y tratamiento sintomático. Reposo, aislamiento, esterilización de utensilios y tratamiento sintomático. Ejercitarse cuando el paciente se sienta capaz. Medidas dietético-higiénicas. Ejercitarse cuando el paciente se sienta capaz. Medidas dietético-higiénicas. AGENTE AGENTE DiagnosticoTemprano y Tratamientos DiagnosticoTemprano y Tratamientos Examen Físico , palpación para valorar hepatomegalia, revisión de mucosas ictericia ocular e interrogatorio clínico sobre coluria y acolia. Examen sanguíneo en busca de bilirrubinas. Tratamiento sintomático. Examen Físico , palpación para valorar hepatomegalia, revisión de mucosas ictericia ocular e interrogatorio clínico sobre...

Words: 845 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

A Practical Approach to Food Safety

...Objetivos del curos .......................................................................................................... III. Contenidos del curso ...................................................................................................... 1. Principios fundamentales de Microbiología ...................................................................... 1.1 Aspectos generales de la microbiología .................................................................... 1.2 Importancia de la microbiología para el aseguramiento de la inocuidad de los alimentos .................................................................................................................. 2. Aspectos generales de los microorganismos: Bacterias, hongos, virus ............................ 2.1 Características .......................................................................................................... 2.2 Clasificación .............................................................................................................. 2.3 Reproducción ............................................................................................................ 2.4 Parámetros intrínsecos y extrínsecos relacionados con el desarrollo microbiano ...... 2.5 Principales microorganismos en los alimentos .......................................................... 3. Enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos ....................................................................... 3.1...

Words: 10665 - Pages: 43

Free Essay

Science Project

...Henderson 1.When an organism is transfected with a virus, it triggers several mechanisms to protect itself from the viral genes affecting it. Such mechanisms involve the innate immune response of the D. Melanogaster against the virus. Another mechanism that has been discovered not too long ago is the ability of silencing viral genes using an RNA interference pathway. The Argonaute paper has focused on the RNAi pathway of D. Melanogaster. The pathway involves a RISC complex composed of Argonaute 2 , viral siRNA and other proteins that act as a “strike and search” antagonist against viral genes and silencing them. In counter-defense, Viruses try to protect themselves by encoding viral suppressors of RNAi VSR to suppress the RNAi pathway. This leads to an “arms race” of adaptation and counter-adaptation by the host and virus. An important aspect of viral genome is its ability to undergo mutations to protect its self. Viral RNA is capable of antigenic shift and antigenic drift to cause mutations in its own genome and remain adaptable in host environment. The RNA Polymerase of the virus is phage-induced, so it is going to replicate the mutated genome and is different than eukaryotic Polymerase in that manner. In turn, host will evolve according to the viral genome to silence the “new” mutated genes. The evolutionary significance of VSRs in the Argonaute paper has enabled to understand how a conserved protein VP1 from Nora Virus is able to suppress viral siRNA in D. Melanogaster...

Words: 1023 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Week 1

...itself. In this paper I will discuss the nine properties and how things like a virus, prion, and viroid can reproduce, but are not considered to be alive. Also how things like these that are not considered to be alive can “evolve”? Viruses reproduce via bacterial gene transfer. Prions are proteins so they replicate with the rest of the genome. Viroids are small RNA plant pathogens that do not code any protein products, therefore replicate by stealing what is needed from the host. However, it may be important to keep in mind that there is a great deal of discussion about whether viruses should be defined as live or not. They contain some of the structures and exhibit some of the activities that are common to the definition of organic life, but are missing others. Unlike viroids and prions, they contain both RNA and DNA. Scientifically they are classified in a place between supra molecular complexes and extremely simple biological entities. Viruses are composed of a single strand of genetic information encapsulated in protein. One of the most compelling arguments against viruses being live is that they lack most of the organelles necessary for biosythesis, thus reproduction. In order for a virus to reproduce it must find a suitable host. A virus is a bacteriophage, or intracellular parasite that multiplies inside a bacteria making use of the biosythetic organelles and structure that they lack. A virus expands through the mechanism of bacterial gene transfer....

Words: 345 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

I Dont Know

...condition. With the rising predominance of HIV/AIDS, organizations are progressively worried about the effect of the infection on their organizations concerns that are all around established. At the broadest level, organizations are subject to the quality and essentialness of the economies in which they work. HIV/AIDS raises the expenses of working together, decreases profitability and brings down general interest for merchandise and administrations. It in this way makes sense to put resources into avoidance, mind and bolster programs to stem declining business efficiency and benefit. AIDS definitely have an impact on the employers because sickness keeps workers away from work and it effects the work productivity, it is important to observe the virus and make sure that the workplace is safe and well...

Words: 393 - Pages: 2