Giant computer worm targets Chinese industry
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A sophisticated computer virus, described by experts as "the first super-cyber-weapon" in the world, has hit China, affecting many key sectors of industry on the Asian continent. The virus, known as Stuxnet, attacks the Windows operating system and software of the German multinational Siemens, a leading overseas provider in China’s computer industry. In September, the virus had already attacked Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, which suffered only minor damage.
A spokesman for Siemens said that many Hong Kong companies use their computer systems, but there are as of yet no reports of attacks by the virus. But Wang Zhantao, an engineer of Beijing Rising International Software, states: " Alarm bells have been sounded in almost every key industrial sector - steel, energy, transport ... This has never happened before." Among multinational’s clients are International Airport Hong Kong Disneyland, the railways of the state, the CLP Power and the Saint Paul Hospital. Siemens declined to comment on the impact of viruses on Chinese customers, responding that the company is working to resolve the problem.
Stuxnet has been described as an "unprecedented” threat. Ralph Langner, a German expert on security systems, says: "Stuxnet represents a new breed of malware. It’s goal is not espionage but to totally sabotage anything that can infect. Something so advanced – continues Langner –suggests that someone with advanced cyber war capability might be involved in its creation". But the virus biggest threat is its ability to fingerprint the industrial control system it has attacked to determine the exact location of its desired target. Once recognized Spyware attacks the component.
One of the victims of the new virus appears to have been the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which is scheduled to open in January 2011. But they are only rumours that have been denied by the Iranian authorities.
Last July, Microsoft drew up a map of the computers infected by Stuxnet, and Iran seems to be the epicentre. This result, according to Langner, suggests the possibility of involvement by enemy nations of Iran in the spread of the virus. The United States and Israel are the first names, being the only countries with adequate computer skills and economic.
At the moment, Stuxnet has infected at least 45,000 industrial control systems throughout the world, without destroying them. Neither Beijing nor Siemens want to provide a complete list of industries affected by the virus.
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