The Industrial Worm Turns
That USB vulnerability that Microsoft hasn't yet patched is actually turning out to be a pretty big deal.
That's because malware isn't just for PCs and servers anymore. This worm is hitting big control systems that are critical parts of companies' infrastructures, and this week it nailed German electronics giant Siemens and caused all kinds of trouble. (In an interesting little side note, apparently the password for the Siemens system the malware struck has been available on the Internet for years. Wow, who knew that would ever lead to a problem?)
Up-to-date antivirus software should catch and remedy the vulnerability, apparently, but Microsoft is still working on a patch to fix the hole. In the meantime, Redmond has dropped a little "fix-it" workaround that's...well, a bit severe. In fact, it makes Windows darn near impossible to use. (Open source and Mac fans, hold your jokes please -- or send them to lpender@rcpmag.com if you're so inclined.)
Thus far, Asia seems to have borne the brunt of the problems related to this nasty little industrial worm. We don't have much more to say about it other than that it's a real mess for some folks and that we hope that you won't have to deal with it. Oh, and Microsoft -- please hurry up with that patch.
Posted by Lee Pender on July 22, 2010