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Title: Infrastructure Cyber Attack: “We Don’t Know How Many Other Utilities Are Compromised”
Source:
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URL Source: http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-ne ... ities-are-compromised_11192011
Published: Nov 20, 2011
Author: Mac Slavo
Post Date: 2011-11-20 13:18:27 by Capitalist Eric
Keywords: None
Views: 2396
Comments: 4
We’ve written extensively about the threat within the utility infrastructure of the United States for quite some time. In April of 2011 we noted that staggering security holes exist in our power, water, and oil grid infrastructure and two months ago commander of U.S. cyber command General Keith Alexander warned that strikes designed to disrupt computer operations and “lethal attacks that destroy entire systems and physical equipment” would specifically target not just our utility grids, but commerce and transportation systems. For many, these scenarios are hypothetical science fiction. The latest incident in Illinois proves this is no longer the case, as security experts have determined that foreign hackers, likely originating from Russia, have compromised our water utility grid and figured out a way to shut down water pump systems in a manner similar to that in which the Stuxnet worm destroyed Iranian centrifuges last year. The threat is now reality: Foreign hackers broke into a water plant control system in Illinois last week and damaged a water pump in what appears to be the first reported case of a malicious cyber attack damaging a critical computer system in the United States, according to an industry expert. ... Dave Marcus, director of security research for McAfee Labs, said that the computers that control critical systems in the United States are vulnerable to attacks that come through the Internet, and few operators of these systems know how to detect them. “So many are ill-prepared for cyber attacks,” Marcus said. Problems with the system in Springfield had been observed for two to three months and recently the system “would power on and off, resulting in the burnout of a water pump,” the Nov. 10 report from the statewide terrorism and intelligence center stated, according to Weiss, who read the report to The Washington Post. According to the report, hackers apparently broke into a software company’s database and retrieved user names and passwords of various control systems that run water plant computer equipment. Using that data, they were able to hack into the plant in Illinois, Weiss said. ... “It was tracked to Russia. It has been in the system for at least two to three months. It has caused damage. We don’t know how many other utilities are currently compromised.” Senior U.S. officials, including Alexander, have recently raised warnings about the risk of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. Questions persist about the readiness and capabilities of DHS to respond to a major attack, and the scope of authority of the U.S. military, which has the greatest cyber operational capabilities, to respond. Our readers may recall that the Duqu worm, which was identified by cyber security firms last month, has been deployed throughout the network infrastructure of the U.S. grid and is scarily similar to that of Stuxnet. It is believed that Duqu is currently active in the United States, sniffing and looking for potential security holes, and may be capable of disrupting computers controlling power plants, oil refineries and other critical infrastructure networks. While the attack in Illinois is isolated to a single utility and plant, and apparently just one water pump, it may be a precursor of things to come. The fact that hackers gained access to an essential component of the grid can only mean that the rest of the nation’s command and control systems are equally as vulnerable. One is no big deal and plant personnel can recover fairly quickly. But what happens if a foreign power or a rogue shadow terror group decides to launch a coordinated, multi-node, multi-regional attack that not only attacks pump systems, but perhaps the chemical treatment systems that keep our water supplies clean? It is conceivable that, since these cyber worms are capable of controlling hardware and software, city water supplies could essentially be poisoned before monitoring systems are able to determine that they have become dangerous for human consumption. And this is just one of many potential attacks that can be initiated on our grid. Everything from water supplies and electric power, to oil refining and digital commerce (i.e. bank ATMs, stock exchanges, etc.) could be a target. Realistically speaking and considering that hackers managed to take-down what should be a highly secured water processing system, a coordinated attack could yield significant damage that includes the deaths of thousands of people. This latest example of the cyber vulnerabilities in critical nationwide infrastructure systems should be enough to convince anyone that preparing a reserve supply of clean water, food and other supplies is a necessity in today’s world.
Poster Comment: The Stuxnet virus was specifically designed to attack ARCADIS software used by Siemens VFD controllers. It was supposed to self-delete if it did not find the software, and rewrite the software if it did. It found the software in the Iranian uranium-enrichment facilities, and caused the centrifuges to speed up and slow down, reverse direction, etc... Until the centrifuge motors all burned up. After it was successful, it was supposed to self-delete, but it didn't. The virus was made public on the internet, and is now able to be customized to attack other types of PLC software. Industrial facilities are largely controlled by PLCs, and Siemens systems (using ARCADIS software) are quite common. An earlier example of what happens when PLC logic has a glitch (this time it was unintended, though) is the natural-gas explosion in San Bruno, CA, which killed 7 people, and blew up 53 houses. Link HERE. I have extensive knowledge of this issue, and I assure you that it is a serious threat... While the author delves into the potential weaknesses, I know for a fact that these weaknesses are present and VERY critical to the entire infrastructure for the country... PLC-driven systems operate (easily) >95% of all utility services in the USA. 1. Sewage treatment plants ... and so on ...
2. Water supplies- especially water in the SW U.S.A.
3. Electrical distribution,
4. Natural gas
5. Refineries
6. Food/merchandise/warehouse/distribution centers (like for grocery stores)
7. Factories (what we still have leftr
8. Critical facilities- hospitals, data centers, telephone call centers, utility grid-control centers, Air Traffic Control systems, etc.
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#1. To: Capitalist Eric (#0)
No one questions the "possibility" of these antics; the real question is the "probability" of the same and as a result I see the REAL question that you BS article describes as it does not discuss the underpinnings of two issues that have created the same threat. FIRST, the US government has fucked just about an nation "it" seems to feel like FUCKING with playing with powerful influences that later have simple methods of FUCKING with us. SECOND, the US government begs for a police-state for absolute control of authority begging the removal of individual rights, liberties and freedoms that the US government created in FIRST!, just above. The article suggests no methods at all other than further government control. It is trash to me and denies the issues that sparked 9/11 to begin with.
For starters, the article is not "BS." I'm not going to address how I know, but I have intimate knowledge of this issue. SECOND, the US government begs for a police-state for absolute control of authority begging the removal of individual rights, liberties and freedoms that the US government created in FIRST!, just above. What the HELL are you trying to say, bubba? You clearly don't have a grasp of the subject matter, so you're spouting off in knee-jerk fashion... Talk about a load of BS. And... where does 9/11 fit into this? SERIOUSLY, I don't know what's going on with you, but you're not making any sense...
OK. You must have some SUPER-DUPER, TOP SECRET INFORMATION. OK, professor, whatever you say. Of course, your languid response is PROOF that you have no critical thinking capabilities at all, not so much about the article's silly content but your own self constructed methods fearing publick reprisal.
#4. To: buckeroo (#3)
Some turkey one washes their hands before consuming; some turkeys one washes after poking at them in Stone's chit chat room. Just an interesting social paradox I wanted to share seeing you talking to the forum 'legend in his own mind.' Carry on, Buck.
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#2. To: buckeroo (#1)
No one questions the "possibility" of these antics; the real question is the "probability" of the same and as a result I see the REAL question that you BS article describes as it does not discuss the underpinnings of two issues that have created the same threat.
FIRST, the US government has fucked just about an nation "it" seems to feel like FUCKING with playing with powerful influences that later have simple methods of FUCKING with us.
The article suggests no methods at all other than further government control. It is trash to me and denies the issues that sparked 9/11 to begin with.
#3. To: Capitalist Eric (#2)
I'm not going to address how I know
I have intimate knowledge of this issue.
Replies to Comment # 3.
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