Stuxnet Attack

Stuxnet Attack: A malware that can cause destruction

3 Mins Read

PUREVPNCybersecurityStuxnet Attack: A malware that can cause destruction

Eager to know about the Stuxnet attack? Read more. For starters, the Stuxnet attack is a known destructive malicious computer worm that has made some serious wreckage in Iran. The malware worm was designed by the US and Israel to disarm the nuclear emergence of Iran in 2010. The Stuxnet can go beyond digital boundaries and it is the first virus used in a war of existence.

Stuxnet Attack

What is Stuxnet?

A malware that destructs the Windows zero-day vulnerabilities, hence creating massive exploits. These exploits change their codes progressively on their own. They also keep on destroying other linked Windows systems. The virus can travel on USB sticks to travel to other targeted facilities.

How does Stuxnet work?

A virus fakes the system with man-in-the-middle (MitM). This makes sure that malware successfully targets the system and that communication is not stopped in the middle. Stuxnet is the first of its kind that travels through USB sticks and is difficult to avoid.

Stuxnet Today

Although Stuxnet was designed to destroy itself in 2012, other viruses are reported with the same coding. These malware worms were seen to target different industries.

  • Duqu (2011): Data mining in several industries.
  • Flame (2012): Traveled via USB stick and recorded Skype conversations. It targeted government and educational organizations in Muslim countries.
  • Havex (2013): It gathered information from energy, aviation, defence, and pharmaceutical companies. It targeted the US and Canada.
  • Industroyer (2016): This targeted power facilities, used in Ukraine.
  • Triton (2017): targeted the safety systems of a petrochemical plant in the Middle East.
  • Most recent (2018): Reported in Iran with the same code as Stuxnet.

The legacy of Stuxnet has proved to affect the infrastructure. They are the most dangerous forms ever created. They have affected industries, power plants, and economies.

How to stay protected from Stuxnet

The first thing to do is to practice prudence, which means the general steps every individual must take in an organization to take care of the system. This involves updating passwords regularly, strengthening personal identifications, and enhancing hardware or software authentication. 

Compliance with security policies is also what needs to be done on an individual level. Also, it is very important to scan all USB devices to stay protected from Stuxnet. Some of the other measures include:

  • Logging all activities digitally.
  • Strengthen physical security policy, checking identity, biomatrix, and device scanning.
  • Ensure whitelisting of the system and block all other networking ways. PureVPN can help you with whitelisting by avoiding access to malicious sites.
  • Use firewalls and demilitarized zones to separate business from industrial activities.

Keeping up with all these, there must be an action plan. Employees should be given training for digital contingent situations.

Frequently asked questions

What type of attack was the Stuxnet virus?

The virus first attacked Iran’s nuclear vicinity. It has kept evolving after that in different forms to target different organizations.

How Stuxnet attacked a nuclear plant?

The coding travelled through USB devices and tore the nuclear system of Nuclear to stop them from becoming a nuclear power in 2010.

Was Stuxnet a zero-day attack?

No, it used four zero-day vulnerabilities in Iran. The Sony Picture attack was a zero-day Stuxnet attack.

Why is Stuxnet called the first cyber weapon?

Stuxnet is called the first cyber weapon because of the destruction it made in Iran in 2010.

What made Stuxnet so powerful?

Stuxnet is so powerful as it has malware that does not let the system take its security steps and make it fall for sure.

Why is Stuxnet so famous?

Stuxnet is famous because it is the most powerful malware worm designed ever. This malware destroyed the Iran nuclear facility and then made small destructions in other industries for 5 months.

How can Stuxnet be removed?

Stuxnet can be removed by using reliable anti-virus software. To prevent Stuxnet there is a need to have a strong security plan.

How did Stuxnet jump the air gap?

Stuxnet jumped the air gap through USB travel malware.

Is Stuxnet still a threat?

Yes, Stuxnet is still a threat due to zero-day vulnerabilities with Microsoft windows.

Have Your Say!!

Join 3 million+ users to embrace internet freedom

Signup for PureVPN to get complete online security and privacy with a hidden IP address and encrypted internet traffic.