'Trojan Horse' Bug Lurking in Vital US Computers Since 2011

ABCNews ^ | Nov 6, 2014 | JACK CLOHERTY and PIERRE THOMAS

[driftdiver]

A destructive “Trojan Horse” malware program has penetrated the software that runs much of the nation’s critical infrastructure and is poised to cause an economic catastrophe, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

National Security sources told ABC News there is evidence that the malware was inserted by hackers believed to be sponsored by the Russian government, and is a very serious threat.

The hacked software is used to control complex industrial operations like oil and gas pipelines, power transmission grids, water distribution and filtration systems, wind turbines and even some nuclear plants. Shutting down or damaging any of these vital public utilities could severely impact hundreds of thousands of Americans

[driftdiver]

Things that make you say hmmmmm

[driftdiver]

ping

[Resolute Conservative]

Only those that depend on their Xbox or DWTS. If you are prepared no electricity is a camping vacation.

[rarestia]

*slow clap*

I’ve not worked for government IT, but I work with several professional who have; and I can confirm that in the non-security-based portions of our government domains (i.e. NOT CIA, FBI, NSA, etc.), the security controls are severely lacking.

[dware]

If you are prepared no electricity is a camping vacation.

I'm ready. And waiting. Looking forward to it!

[ansel12]

A simple thing like this is why modern Americans need to be able to privately take care of themselves for a few months, if the institutional systems of energy and food and water gets interrupted or damaged.

[dynoman]

If we know about it why aren’t we getting rid of it?

[rarestia]

Trojan horses are not simple cleaning. When they’re state-sponsored Trojans, you’ll have little luck getting rid of it in totality.

Further, MUCH of our infrastructure is running on old hardware and software. Last I read, much of our nuclear infrastructure is running on old NIX, Solaris, and even Windows 98 operating systems.

[no-to-illegals]

LOL ... it’s 1999.

[familyop]

Why you need to add solar to your emergency power backup plans
By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM
http://backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago149.html

[SMARTY]

All this on Obama’s watch.

Coincidence?

[DonaldC]

“Last I read, much of our nuclear infrastructure is running on old NIX, Solaris, and even Windows 98 operating systems.”

And if that stuff is on the internet, we almost deserve the pain we could get from it.

[hsmomx3]

BO’s revenge????

[bubbacluck]

Why don’t they just quietly correct the problem instead of publically blabbing about it?

[familyop]

I'll add a quote from the article behind the following link to my previous comment.

Why you need to add solar to your emergency power backup plans
By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM
Backwoods Home
http://backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago149.html

Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal published an article summarizing a Senate hearing on the vulnerability of the electric grid. This study reviewed how a coordinated attack on only nine of the most critical sub-stations in the U.S. would cause a nation-wide blackout lasting up to 18 months. The hearing participants were strongly chastised for allowing this type of information to be made public.

[familyop: this comment was powered by solar energy.]

[no-to-illegals]

yep ... the printing of secrets is a very profitable business.

[ansel12]

Who are they blabbing to, the Russians?

Besides, we can’t build political pressure for national preparedness and defensive measures unless we publicize threats, and this one is already in the system.

[Buckeye McFrog]

State-sponsored Trojans?

What does Obamacare have to do with any of this?

[Postman]

Excellent question.

[familyop]

"Why don’t they just quietly correct the problem instead of publically blabbing about it?"

Power company investors and their customers didn't want to pay for correcting the longstanding and widely known problem. If a political effort to correct the problem were to commence, many more would publicly talk about it. It would be seen and heard by all. But obviously now, such political effort has already begun, and after all to follow, the problem still won't be solved (incompetence in commercial information technology, greed, big spending, etc.).