Researcher Looks to Demystify Stuxnet Threat

The mysterious Stuxnet worm has emerged as one of the more feared and high-profile security vulnerabilities on the scene these days.

The worm made headlines when word spread that the worm had hit Iran’s nuclear systems, though Stuxnet’s origins remain obscure.

So just how much of a threat is it? Tom Parker, Securicon’s director of security consulting services, has undertaken an extensive analysis of the code behind Stuxnet worm, and concluded that while most components are very well done, advanced systems such as those in the United States are likely not the primary target.

Instead, Stuxnet, which targets Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems such as those in use in power plants, is more likely to be put to effective use against less sophisticated nations, such as Iran.

Parker is due to present his research at the Black Hat security conference this week in Washington, D.C. eSecurity Planet takes a look inside the Stuxnet threat.

Read the full story at eSecurity Planet:


Inside Stuxnet: Why it Works and Why the U.S. Shouldn’t Worry