Mallory
Current Event Posting Number 1
Topic: Technology
Writer: Riva Richmond
Publication Name: The New York Times
Date of Publication: September 24, 2010
Length: 509 words, 1 page
Main Ideas: Stuxnet marks the dawn of a new era. This malicious software program has infiltrated factory computers around the world, and is the first such attack on critical industrial infrastructure. Security experts initially believed Stuxnet’s primary purpose was espionage because of its ability to steal documents for industrial control systems. A newer more in depth study of this extremely large and complex program, shows that it can also make changes to those systems. Experts are unsure of Stuxnet’s original purpose, however many believe the malware was created to attack an Iranian industrial facility and it could have the potential to do some serious damage. “The True end goal of Stuxnet is cyber sabotage. It’s a cyber weapon basically,” said Roel Schouwenberg, a senior antivirus researcher at Kaspersky, a security software maker. “But how it exactly manifests in real life, I can’t say.” All evidence leads experts to believe that it was most likely staged by a government or government-backed group. The malware was first discovered in July, at least several months after its creation. Since it was first released, there have been 15 reports from around the globe.
Conclusion: In the end, most people will not be infected by the malware, and most commercial antivirus programs can detect and remove it. The question remains who made this piece of malware, because with the amount of funding and time required, this can’t just be a teenager in his basement.
Though it is unlikely for the average citizen to be attacked by this malware, it is frightening to know that such technology is circulating around the world and that programmers have the potential to do harm in many places through having one computer in one unknown place.
ReplyDeleteSince this malware isn't known to attack the average household, it being able to attack major corporations and do a lot of damage can harm many Americans later on down the line.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing to be gained from infecting a family personal computer with a virus. I think the goal of this virus may have been much more sinister. Iran currently has a running nuclear program. A virus could definitely wreak havoc on a nuclear powered facility's computer controlled systems.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see how this could be an issue for big businesses or famous people but I don't think it would necessarily affect the average person. Most people use some sort of virus detecting software on their computer and I don't think they are being especially targeted.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Wil. Even if it does not affect the average household, it shows how fragile the whole computer-science world is. Based on the fact that todays world would not work without a computer, it is frightening to me, knowing that one perfect virus could not just steal personal information but crashing every single computer and the system.
ReplyDeleteWhen so much information and activity is online, it creates a huge vulnerability for big corporations as well as governments to be attacked by viruses and cyber terrorists. It makes sense that even something that didn't end up affecting many people is still taken in seriously as a huge a threat to security.
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