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Someone’s Trying To Shut Down Power Plants—With a Virus

Gizmodo -- Earlier this year, a devastating virus dubbed Flame made its way through power plants in Iran, wreaking havoc on system software, and prompting the country to disconnect itself from the internet. Now comes word from Kaspersky Labs that there's a copycat virus doing the same thing to "at least one organization in the energy sector."

Except this time, its not coming from the government.

This new virus, sometimes referred to as Shamoon, sometimes referred to as Disttrack, contains a file named Wiper, which the Flame virus also has. But the Wiper file in Shamoon doesn't share the same code as the one in Flame, which is why experts suspect a copycat is at work. Kaspersky believes its the doing of script kiddies.

A rash of unprovoked attacks on energy facilities could be downright devastating

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Submitted Aug 18, 2012 By: DellDude2

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,834 Points:1,638,195 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 21, 2012 6:12:05 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse fear mongering? We know that Kaspersky is Russian based (outside Moscow). Not sure I would trust Russians as far as I can throw one.
1WI All-Star Author Appleton Posts:818 Points:274,255 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 4:37:26 PM Ignore 1WI Report Abuse Media lies.
ropegun11 Veteran Author Illinois Posts:449 Points:461,380 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:00:24 PM Ignore ropegun11 Report Abuse ...Interesting and curious...Thanks for sharing it DellDude2 :)
DanMtz Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,496 Points:1,271,125 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:53:37 AM Ignore DanMtz Report Abuse I blame Hugo and his henchmen.
GOBUTLER Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,425 Points:407,785 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 9:03:47 AM Ignore GOBUTLER Report Abuse Interesting...
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,600 Points:2,373,210 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 3:29:00 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Governments, companies, organizations and individuals are probing other governments, other organizations and businesses continuously for data and information they can possibly mine. Shut down a government, city or companies power supply and you can affect their operation or existence. Why is there a need to link electrical generating operations to the internet? Is it monitoring of it's operation from a distance? If you don't have good, strong virus protection – you are toast. The US and Israel have been trying to put a halt or hamper to Iranian nuclear advances for a long time with cyber attacks. They have been fairly successful about it too. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
Blismo Champion Author Arizona Posts:2,279 Points:431,935 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 1:58:37 AM Ignore Blismo Report Abuse ok
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,240 Points:824,950 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 1:56:08 AM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse Another false flag by our government to scare us into believing they should control the internet.
JimVP All-Star Author Chicago Posts:647 Points:163,335 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:55:10 AM Ignore JimVP Report Abuse Cyber security grows in importance.
cwashi3324 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,863 Points:587,720 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:43:05 AM Ignore cwashi3324 Report Abuse right...
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:34:48 AM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse The internet is a dangerous thing. I am amazed that people would rather cause people & companies harm, when they have knowledge that then can use in business.
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,705 Points:2,472,635 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:30:21 AM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse if it stops Iran's nukes, I am all for it.
Wierbe Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,892 Points:1,146,815 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:29:59 AM Ignore Wierbe Report Abuse Who needs a war when you have the Internet? We (or They) can cripple a country by destroying communications or hacking vital systems.
nomad228 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,143 Points:580,215 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:29:20 AM Ignore nomad228 Report Abuse what was that movie with john candy where he turned off canada's power with the flip of a wall switch.
pastorpaulcg Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,615 Points:775,785 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:29:00 AM Ignore pastorpaulcg Report Abuse Ok
dld1295 Sophomore Author Detroit Posts:213 Points:360,710 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:28:41 AM Ignore dld1295 Report Abuse just what we need more problems
VetteFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:9,879 Points:2,056,180 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:28:34 AM Ignore VetteFan Report Abuse Homeland Security go get 'em.
nomad228 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,143 Points:580,215 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:26:21 AM Ignore nomad228 Report Abuse i would not be a bit surprised to find out it was big earl or our own gov'ment.
txkrb Champion Author Texas Posts:1,597 Points:661,520 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:26:00 AM Ignore txkrb Report Abuse Computers, with internet access, at power plants and other critical installations should not be networked to critical computers and servers Pretty basic security
spud5559 Veteran Author Yakima Posts:292 Points:86,540 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:25:36 AM Ignore spud5559 Report Abuse it going too come sooner or later we should of been ready a long time for this kind of thing
streetcars Champion Author Toledo Posts:12,409 Points:2,635,315 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:24:49 AM Ignore streetcars Report Abuse Just what we need.
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,866 Points:1,689,490 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:24:42 AM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Hmm, maybe the Chinese if not us or some group of kids.
SpruceGuse2 Champion Author Michigan Posts:9,869 Points:2,481,410 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:23:36 AM Ignore SpruceGuse2 Report Abuse Tree huggers......................
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,700 Points:690,875 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:23:00 AM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Just what Obama wants, so he can take over another industry.
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:4,681 Points:849,800 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:22:05 AM Ignore paulp24 Report Abuse Wow...we got some sheeple with some real book learnin in here. Obamamama...Bozmma. Damn those Koch Brothers sure gittin der monies worth.
rtw777 Champion Author Florida Posts:9,536 Points:1,869,695 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:21:47 AM Ignore rtw777 Report Abuse Not good at any time.
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,413 Points:1,587,590 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:20:33 AM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Check the White House....
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:9,690 Points:1,889,495 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:20:21 AM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse Ok not good
jerej829 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,974 Points:720,725 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:20:04 AM Ignore jerej829 Report Abuse ouch
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,125 Points:1,138,560 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:20:04 AM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse EPA is trying to shut down coal power plants without a virus...
NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,755 Points:1,168,970 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:19:35 AM Ignore NedW Report Abuse There will be new pushes for internet security legislation,...you know...it's to keep us safe, like the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act, ad nauseam.
SpankyMI Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:2,836 Points:785,590 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:18:28 AM Ignore SpankyMI Report Abuse Someone with a connection to the words green and liberal, maybe jackass too.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:10,004 Points:1,641,675 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:17:50 AM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse There is too much dependence on the internet. Cybercrime and cyberterrorism are going to be bigger problems in the future.
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,639 Points:1,538,005 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:17:09 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse I did not know there was a virus named crock. Bozama is trying to shut down power plants, refineries, etc. 80 days until the election. President Obama is still reminding people that he inherited this economy. If this economy doesn't turn around soon, his inheritance could be cut off in November. [Edited by: N5EXY at 8/19/2012 12:18:46 AM EST]
ican2step Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:1,816 Points:453,375 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:16:36 AM Ignore ican2step Report Abuse And we're developing "self-driving" cars?
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,105 Points:2,551,690 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:15:50 AM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse ok
BurtB Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,373 Points:1,389,845 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:15:21 AM Ignore BurtB Report Abuse Iranian counter strike at Saudi Arabia. That is to be expected.
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,041 Points:1,571,970 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:14:41 AM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse The minds of the idle...
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:11,681 Points:2,109,410 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:12:45 AM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse What Obamamama got nothing better to do...
stratlinetime Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:2,421 Points:591,535 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:12:29 AM Ignore stratlinetime Report Abuse OK
jimedB All-Star Author Riverside Posts:540 Points:87,915 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:12:16 AM Ignore jimedB Report Abuse Don't they run antivirus programs and a firewall to block this kind of stuff? Or they trying to tell us that we are wasting our money on these programs that don't work and if a hacker wants in bad enough they will find a way.
eswi Champion Author Madison Posts:2,686 Points:711,080 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:12:05 AM Ignore eswi Report Abuse OK
dongo50 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:14,878 Points:2,407,745 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:11:10 AM Ignore dongo50 Report Abuse sounds like a crock to me.
millerin Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,332 Points:487,315 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:10:47 AM Ignore millerin Report Abuse hmm...
rawdog1313 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,444 Points:1,671,480 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:09:03 AM Ignore rawdog1313 Report Abuse Put them away........
Jarol Champion Author Iowa Posts:8,571 Points:1,621,815 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:07:37 AM Ignore Jarol Report Abuse Key US fed mandate ... keep the USA safe ... don't try to tell us how to live our lives.
MACCLENNY9 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:2,757 Points:461,390 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:05:54 AM Ignore MACCLENNY9 Report Abuse just punk hooligans,lock-em up
gocatgo Champion Author South Carolina Posts:15,829 Points:2,558,215 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:05:50 AM Ignore gocatgo Report Abuse No Duh and this creates shortages. Thank you Big oil.
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,562 Points:1,499,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:04:56 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse Maybe the power plants should be disconnected from the internet. Maybe their own net like "electonet" of something.
Jeffro61 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,408 Points:2,310,945 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:04:27 AM Ignore Jeffro61 Report Abuse What comes around goes around.