What is the Stuxnet virus? The Stuxnet attack has been known to be one of the worst attacks in computer history and is known to have caused extensive damage. How did the Virus work?Which industries did the virus target and what was the consequence of its attack? How does the virus infect its victims?
Stuxnet is a computer worm. It targets the industrial Programmable Logic Devices (PLC) and industrial control systems which monitors and controls the large scale facilities. Without the operator intervention, these type of attacks may occur. Stuxnet contains a type of code which is of man-in-the-middle-attack such that it can attack industrial controlled sensor signals. This layered malware can attack Windows, Siemens PLCs, WinCC and STEP7 operated systems. This Stuxnet worm works very smartly. When it enters the system, it first learns all the security patterns of the computer system. Once, it learns to operate without raising the alarm, then it begins to attack the entire system slowly. To secure the system form this worm, all the computer systems should be kept updated with antivirus software installed.
Hello Barb!
Stuxnet virus is way more dangerous than it is thought of to be at first. Mostly it attacks industrial or military systems, but it might spread to the civilian targets in the future, as well. The most famous case was when it has attacked the Iran's nuclear centrifuges making them to spin until they were out of control.
Regards,
Mathew
