Virus targets Siemens industrial control systems
Hackers have built a computer virus that attacks Siemens AG's widely used industrial control systems, creating malicious software that analysts said can be used for espionage and sabotage.
The German company said the malware is a Trojan worm dubbed Stuxnet that spreads via infected USB thumb drives, exploiting a yet-to-be-patched vulnerability in Microsoft Corp's Windows operating system.
"Just viewing the contents of the USB stick can activate the Trojan," said Siemens spokesman Alexander Machowetz. "Siemens recommends avoiding the use of a USB stick." Siemens first learned of the problem on July 14, he said.
