What is Stuxnet?

Stuxnet is a sophisticated computer worm that gained notoriety for its role in cyberattacks targeting supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, particularly those used in Iran’s nuclear program. Discovered in June 2010, Stuxnet is considered one of the most complex and highly developed pieces of malware ever identified.

Key characteristics of Stuxnet include:

1. Targeted Cyberattack: Stuxnet was designed with a specific target in mind — Iran’s nuclear facilities. Its primary objective was to disrupt and sabotage the uranium enrichment process, a critical component of Iran’s nuclear program.
2. Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: Stuxnet exploited multiple zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows operating systems and Siemens industrial software, which are commonly used in SCADA systems. This allowed the worm to infect computers without the need for user interaction.
3. Propagation: Stuxnet was capable of spreading via USB drives, local networks, and the internet. Once inside a system, it sought out specific software and hardware configurations, targeting the Siemens Step7 software and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) associated with the Iranian nuclear program.
4. Stealth and Persistence: Stuxnet employed advanced techniques to remain undetected, such as rootkit functionality and the use of stolen…