Unit 1_Practical Assignment
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University Of Central Missouri *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
351
Subject
History
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by MagistrateOtterPerson3379
Jan 10, 2024
CJ316
Unit 1 Practical Assignment
Using the Web, research
Stuxnet
. Prepare a brief informational essay (maximum
1
page) to explain in simple terms
a
) when Stuxnet was discovered and by whom,
b
) what types or kinds of
systems it is designed to target, and why, and
c
) what are the best practices for preventing its infiltration into, or proliferation across a system?
Stuxnet is a computer worm that is believed to be designed by the U.S. and Israeli governments in collaboration to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program. Though Stuxnet most likely started development in 2005, it was not identified by the information security community until 2010 (Fruhlinger, 2022)
. Stuxnet was discovered because it spread outside of the Natanz facility (the intended target) and infected computers that were not part of the nuclear program causing it to be discovered by Iranian tech support with the help of a Belarusian named Sergey Ulasen (Fruhlinger, 2022)
. Stuxnet was designed to target multiple targets within the Natanz facility: Windows, software controlling the PLCs, and the PLC software itself. The reason the worm was designed to target all these systems was so it could damage the centrifuges by changing their rotation speeds (Fruhlinger, 2022)
. In 2010 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered that over 2,000 centrifuges were rendered inoperable, normally about 800 centrifuges will be decommissioned per year. There are several easy ways to prevent a worm like Stuxnet, you can keep your operating system up to date and practice good cyber hygiene. In a facility such as Natanz, there should be a system implemented that will detect any item inserted into a computer such as USB drives. This will give their cyber security department a head start on trying to find potential attacks.
References
Fruhlinger, J. (2022, August 31). Stuxnet explained: The first known cyberweapon
. CSO Online. https://www.csoonline.com/article/562691/stuxnet-explained-the-first-known-
cyberweapon.html#:~:text=Stuxnet%20is%20a%20powerful%20computer,about%20its
%20design%20and%20purpose.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help