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Books > Computing & IT > Social & legal aspects of computing > Computer viruses
In September 2010, media reports emerged about a new form of cyber
attack that appeared to target Iran, although the actual target, if
any, is unknown. Through the use of thumb drives in computers that
were not connected to the Internet, a malicious software program
known as Stuxnet infected computer systems that were used to
control the functioning of a nuclear power plant. Once inside the
system, Stuxnet had the ability to degrade or destroy the software
on which it operated. This book examines the discovery of the
Stuxnet worm which has raised several issues for Congress,
including the effect on national security, what the government's
response should be, whether an international treaty to curb the use
of malicious software is necessary, and how such a treaty could be
implemented.
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