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Stuxnet Worm Built to Feast on Nuclear Centrifuges

Virus had one job: Foil Tehran nukes

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2010 3:19 PM CST

(Newser) – A bit more light has been shed on the Stuxnet computer worm that wreaked havoc in Iran: it was tailor-made to go after nuclear centrifuges in ingenious fashion, the New York Times reports. It now looks pretty certain the worm was unleashed specifically to derail Tehran's nuclear work. As for who's responsible, the Times puts it this way: "In recent weeks officials from Israel have broken into wide smiles when asked whether Israel was behind the attack, or knew who was." See the full article for the scientific specifics.

This series of GeoEye satellite images, from 2002, 2004 and 2009, show construction progress of the Natanz Uranium Enrichment Complex in Iran.
This series of GeoEye satellite images, from 2002, 2004 and 2009, show construction progress of the Natanz Uranium Enrichment Complex in Iran.   (AP Photo/GeoEye Satellite Image)
A May 14, 2009 photo taken from 423 miles in space and released Friday, August 21, 2009 by GeoEye Satellite Image shows Iran’s uranium-enrichment facility at Natanz.
A May 14, 2009 photo taken from 423 miles in space and released Friday, August 21, 2009 by GeoEye Satellite Image shows Iran’s uranium-enrichment facility at Natanz.   (AP Photo/GeoEye Satellite Image)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
JoeQ
Nov 20, 2010 1:46 PM CST
The Iranians will just convert over their lab networks, maybe change machines, OSes, and beef up all physical access. It hardly stopped them dead. Since we heard about it, the trick could not have really worked well. I wonder why we even heard about it.
huck555
Nov 19, 2010 9:27 PM CST
Deebles...Life made no sense till I read your brilliant take on the true values in the universe. Free at last, free at last!!!
brawne
Nov 19, 2010 8:28 PM CST
Oddly enough a few days ago five thousand or 90% of our ICBM missiles go off line for an hour and a half. We got a lotta missiles sitting and just waiting for a go. The old soviets ones--hah, know how many people became billionaires just trading the metal? Those be gone and we have them all and now--seems we don't have control of that either. Hey, as Truman said when he recognized Israel after a long time of beating his brains on the wall because he could see the future--how many Arabs will vote for me in NYC? Jews, Christians, Muslims--keep hanging onto all of them. The book of Revelations was written by a guy living during Nero's reign. Not a good time--but over and done. The rapture was invented by a young girl who was insane about a hundred and fifty years ago. Want to hang onto all that? Three monotheistic religions that were invented by man and for man cause they were afraid to die--irony is that they will be the thing that wipes us off the map. And you'll all be wrong. Even if there were the most loving God there--you, as a parent, would you be happy if you told your kid to not drive drunk and they did and got killed--would you be happy to be right? And remember--there is no rapture. Unless you believe that Britney Spears made some sense a few years ago. Same thing--and I would like the world to not end because you believe that there is some significance to Brittany not wearing panties. Hardest thing in the world is to let go of a conviction. I have no conviction--if I did, I wouldn't be afraid. That's all a conviction is--a night light because it's scary in the dark.
 

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