Stuxnet (2010) [pdf] | Hacker News Reader

Stuxnet (2010) [pdf]

wired.com

60 pointsredbell7 comments

I was around 15 years old at that time. I remember reading this article[0] from Wired, it was probably the first time I've read an article so long and so technical without stopping. I couldn't grasp everything 100%, but every detail sounded so fascinating I kept reading and researching about.

It was the first time I felt like "wow, those guys, those security researchers, I wanna be one of them". It really opened my eyes to how computer software can be complex, political, puzzling and how an "antivirus" company operates in the backstage. I still remember that one single article as a pivotal point in my life, making me look at software engineering as a career that could also be fun.

[0] http://web.archive.org/web/20190106014001/https://www.wired.... (resorting to Web Archive since the live version isn't opening anymore since Wired updated their website layout)

Any reason this is trending now?

Not sure. Maybe because of 10 years Snowden or the revealing of the inner workings of the Predator Android malware. Similarly, Stuxnet used multiple (windows) 0days to assure its deployment. It was vehemently denied by USA and Israel that it was their co-fabrication to hit Iran, while it was crystal clear from the very beginning it was them.

There's a new worm going around aimed at disrupting industrial/energy systems called "CosmicEnergy" that's been in the news the last week or so, I'd assume due to its similar function Stuxnet is getting mentioned in the articles and so is having bit of a resurgence in searches as a result.

I was pretty early in my carreer at the time, working as an engineer, integrating PCS7 in food processing plants across western Europe. Our client had a few stuxnet infections at some point. they immediately put a no usb device policy into place.