Stuxnet Virus Infected 16,000 Computers, Iran Says

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A senior Iranian intelligence official says an estimated 16,000 computers were infected by the Stuxnet virus.

The powerful virus targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and other industrial sites in 2010, and Tehran has acknowledged the malicious software affected a limited number of centrifuges — a key component in nuclear fuel production. But Iran has said its scientists discovered and neutralized the malware before it could cause serious damage.

The semiofficial Fars news agency on Saturday quoted a deputy intelligence chief identified only as Ahangaran as saying 16,000 computers were infected by Stuxnet, but he did not specify whether worldwide or just in Iran.

He said Iran is facing difficulties obtaining anti-malware software because of international sanctions, forcing Iran to use its own experts to design the software.

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Comments

[esosa233]

11:11 PM on 02/20/2012

Maybe America truly wasn't behind this maybe those Iranians have been going to many of those bad websites.

[SapphireBlaze9]

10:43 PM on 02/20/2012

I'm a Computer Science major, and we often refer to Stuxnet in examples for everything from network security to hidden files. Its complexity makes it a better example than the average "ALERT- you have viruses" virus.

[coolhandfreak]

01:28 PM on 02/20/2012

Any method used to thwart the worst of actors Iran from attaining nuclear weapon capability is a blessing. Once ingested thus infected. Sweet!!!!.

[dsmithsfamily]

11:11 PM on 02/19/2012

were are they getting the centrifuges

[iamwired]

09:01 AM on 02/20/2012

Russia at first, but are now developing their own.

[mmike1969]

08:35 PM on 02/19/2012

I am sure there are some free anti-virus software they could of gotten :p

[iamwired]

09:01 AM on 02/20/2012

I'll send them the one one that constantly pops up and says You're computer is infected.

[CJ40inWI]

01:52 PM on 02/19/2012

I did a report on this for my network security class. While 16,000 machine in Iran were infected only in the US (which by the way people gets more malware and virus attacks than ANY other nation) had only 400.

[Ralphiec88]

11:44 PM on 02/19/2012

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the US was involved, but your numbers sound like propaganda or conspiracy theory. Symantec says Stuxnet infected over 1.5% of U.S. computers. If your insinuation is that countries less affected must be responsible, note that Pakistan's percentage was less than the U.S.

[ScopeATL]

10:32 AM on 02/19/2012

I am convinced that these people have no clue what they are doing? Why would they release a virus that can be contained? I am very sure that China's, Russia's and Iranians's now have knowledge of this virus and they tactics that are behind this virus. I guess this is the beginning of a new war. What are the implications of such a new strategy that relies on software technology?

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

06:46 PM on 02/18/2012

But, of course, if lranian h.a.c.k.e.r.s tried to hit us back in the same manner, that would be a despicable act of war that calls for b0mbing Teheran...

Ah, I love the smell of American fairness in the morning...

[Errant]

05:25 PM on 02/19/2012

Where does it say it was America who did it? Iran has a lot of enemies near and far, traditional and new. And that's assuming it was a foreign power behind it and not someone being incompetent. Whole systems can be accidentally infected by people who have no idea what they are doing. That's how viruses and malware and scams get the common folk, after all.

So how about you save your anti-American bovine scatology rhetoric. I'm all there with you on being liberal but let's not go there with tinfoil hats and blind hate that's no better than the people we criticize.

And stop acting like the US is the only one that behaves like this. You'll find most nations will carry this attitude that you speak of to some degree. That's life. There is no true benevolent and 100% just democracy in this world.

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

05:47 PM on 02/19/2012

Where does it say it was America who did it?

General Michael Hayden admitted it and bragged about it. You may want to inform yourself first...

"And stop acting like the US is the only one that behaves like this."

Silly straw man, I've never said anything like that. I only pointed out the double standard of nationalists like you. You'd be outraged if some other nation did to us what we did to Iran. You're a hypocrite.

[Mark Guzak]

10:17 PM on 02/19/2012

Pretty much what I was thinking. I'm a big lib2, but I also realize we live in a world where powerful forces use all types of asymmetrical attacks. We're in danger of being caught up where fools rush in again, but make no mistake there's a cacophony of deadly tricks and traps too.
I've often been critical of Obama's lack of push-back against the right, but at the end of the day I'm glad he's the cool head at the table, and he's over-all done well guiding US through very perilous times.... I'm not sure who would have done better. It's unfortunate, but in the real world with world altering stakes, my ideals have to give way to reality. It's easy to second guess, but a commander is constantly being reminded of his duty to stop any threat long before it effects us, because the fallout likely would be immeasurable.
We live in a privileged society because of our commitment to this balance and I know no easy way to unwind the forces we're charged with at this point. It shouldn't have to be as bloody and heavy handed as it is, but the political complexities dictate it so. Damn.

[iamwired]

09:11 AM on 02/20/2012

Didn't Iran call it an act of war? Is it only popular to take a stand against the US? Both sides will fight to get their own way, no matter what it takes. Seems to me we don't have enough information to point a finger at one side or another. You are just trying to take a stand for the underdog, but are not looking at the whole picture, and what Stuxnet was able to do in our favor. And when I say Our, I mean those who care about the United States policies.

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

02:23 PM on 02/20/2012

"we don't have enough informatio­n to point a finger at one side or another."

Yes, we do. Read below.

[DavidEvan]

04:16 PM on 02/18/2012

Am I missing something? Where is the story beyond the smmary?

[CJ40inWI]

01:55 PM on 02/19/2012

Wired.com is good for this story. It goes into tons of detail on how it was detected, how Symantec was able to research and determine how it was transmitted, and even who designed it.

[DavidEvan]

02:23 PM on 02/19/2012

Thanks for the reference. I'll definitely right it.