From a search of the web, I found a provocative blog post at Silflay Hraka which delineates in detail a basis for speculating that the computers used to control the electrical grid may be interconnected with Windows desktop machines accessible from the Internet. If true, a path exists for the very active Blaster virus to infect or affect the grid's computers. Since the blackout occurred coincident with several days of infectious Blaster activity, the question is asked whether these two are related.
. . . does it strike anyone else as odd that the Niagara-Mohawk power grid failed during a time of heavy network stress caused by that virus?
Very good question! I personally have experience with networks in power plants and utilities, and the complexity and variety of computer systems within numerous organizations makes absolute security difficult to attain. My experience tells me that an unwanted interconnection is quite possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment