[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Malware Infections Lurk in U.S. Electricity Grid, WSJ reports here

[BIGED]

Hmmmm, standard malware would indicate Windows in the house? Perhaps a reality check and a required move off the most unstable platform in modern computing history?

[buddesatva]

Very serious! If a country placed satellites with launching platforms and missiles in space we would be mobilized. If a country had men or missiles in or around our border we would take action. In both instances, we recognize the threat. If executable programs exist within the systems of our infrastructure (sewage, electricity, water, telephone, banking) we need action immediately. In my opinion this is as serious as another country counterfeiting our money. Imagine the implications.

[golfchic]

and why haven't these malware programs been deleted or rendered useless if we know they are there?
just because they trace back to china and Russia doesn't mean it's done by chinese or russians - could be Al-quada or other terrorist organizations.

[raife1]

Lets see...

In the last week, or so...

- A Bill was introduced in the Senate that would allow the Government to dictate what "security" software, and procedures, MUST be used by "private" businesses (such as, say... ISPs).

- An ISP was, completely, shut-down by the FBI, over some alleged "illegal activity" that was supposedly perpetrated by one of the ISPs "customers" (causing untold losses, and problems, for both the ISP and the ISPs other customers).

- And now, a "leaked" story about how our "National Infrastructure" has apparently been dangerously "compromised"... over the "Internet" (...even though, WHY, any crucial "control system" would be connected to the Internet, in the first place, is completely INCOMPREHENSIBLE).


How much do you want to bet this will ALL be, very conveniently, USED to help railroad-through all manner of new (mandated and, allegedly, "voluntary") "monitoring", and "control" requirements... that just happen to dove-tail, so-perfectly, with so-many, long-term (private and Government), "Internet" (and computer) control-agendas..?

But, maybe, this is all just coincidence.

Hhhmmm...

[getmything]

Well said Raife1

[JoWazzoo]

HHmmm .... This almost sounds like BS to me. I mean really. I have worked with computers since the mid 60s, worked in the electric utility industry since 1972 and been involved in net abuse issues since long before the net was invented by AlGore. While I have not read the original Wall Street Jornal report, and certainly am not privay to any of the sooper sekrits down at the Homeland Security office, this is almost too hard to swallow. This stuff was supposedly traced to Russia and China? How. But, regardless, since a goodly chunk of net abuse/malware/etc comes from there, sooooooo?????? The security sites trace crap back to there thousands of times a day.

Even given my simpleton mind and overall lack of some required skills, I can get into a system in one of those countries and deposit a package elsewhere. It is not rocket science. Here I am just meaning to make something on the net look like it came from elsewhere. (note however, IF something has in fact been deposited in the control systems of the electric infrastructure, that IS something.) Moreover, very doubtful that the governments of those countries are involved. China is too dependent on us economically. Russia knows that it doesn't screw with us due to our missle coordinates.

Then again, on the other hand there are a lot of miscreants out there and they can easily do a lot of crazy things using the ease and access of the Net. As the other poster indicated, there very well could be some other agenda going on here. Will be interesting to see how this shakes out.

[nsiebold]

Just like the Cold War, if they put viruses and trojans on our power grid, then let's put viruses and trojans on their power grid.

[oldschoolh4ck3r]

Problem... reaction... solution... who stands to gain from this?

[golfchic]

I agree with rafie1, but still ask why isn't the malware removed - the reports make it sound as if we found it and are watching it......