| Submit your comments on this article |
| Science & Technology |
| Stuxnet-based cyber espionage virus targets European firms |
| 2011-10-19 |
| European firms that play a key role in nuclear power and other critical industries have been targeted by a cyber espionage attack based on Stuxnet, the computer virus that was designed to sabotage the Iranian nuclear programme. Security engineers say it is likely the new variant, Duqu, was created by the same government agencies thought to be behind Stuxnet, an attack that heralded a new era of state conflict online. But while Stuxnet was created to cause physical damage to Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities by surreptitiously adjusting machinery, Duqu is an intelligence-gathering tool. The new virus’ precise targets have not been disclosed, but they include European firms that make the software that controls power stations and other industrial facilities. By infiltrating their computer networks, it aims to steal confidential information and potentially reveal vulnerabilities that could be exploited in later attacks. Inside a target network Duqu seeks out sensitive documents and spies on network users’ activities, including the passwords they type into their keyboards. The information is then smuggled out, disguised as ordinary web picture traffic to circumvent security systems, to a “command and control” server located in India. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #1 There are those who claim Duqu has been traced to India.. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2011-10-19 18:48 |