Beware the “Son of Stuxnet”

Tech experts are coming to the conclusion that the Stuxnet virus was indeed aimed specifically at disabling Iran’s nuclear centrifuges by making them spin out of control.

The New York Times says:

Computer analysts say Stuxnet does its damage by making quick changes in the rotational speed of motors, shifting them rapidly up and down. […] Changing the speed sabotages the normal operation of the industrial control process.

The article also serves up an interesting menu of tidbits that point to Israeli involvement, a suggestion that’s apparently not being denied:

 ?…in recent weeks officials from Israel have broken into wide smiles when asked whether Israel was behind the attack, or knew who was.?

But that’s not the end of the story. A number of people are beginning to see the potential for significant blowback from the “Son of Stuxnet”.

Since the worm can have a similar effect on other industrial systems relying on precise control of electrical power, many are warning that the code will be adapted and re-purposed, and then used in retaliation against US and Israeli facilities.