Stuxnet Proof of Concept Demonstrated

by Jago Maniscalchi // October 4, 2010 // News // No comments

We know Stuxnet has caused some major disruptions in nations like Iran and India. But how, exactly, does it work? In this video, Symantec researcher Liam O’Murchu demonstrates how a Stuxnet infected programmable logic controller (PLC) by Siemens can instruct a piece of machinery to run out of control.

O’Murchu demonstrated the proof of concept by hooking the PLC up to an air pump which was programmed to lightly inflate a balloon. After being infected, the pump runs out of control, bursting the confetti filled balloon to applause from the audience of virus researchers gathered at the annual Virus Bulletin conference in Vancouver, Canada.

About the Author

Jago Maniscalchi is a Cyber security consultant, though he tries to avoid the word "Cyber" at all costs. He has spent 15 years working with Information Systems and has experience in website hosting, software engineering, infrastructure management, data analysis and security assessment. Jago lives in London with his family, enough pets to start a small zooalogical society, and a Samsung NaviBot Robotic Vacuum Cleaner. Despite an aptitude for learning computer languages, his repeated attempts to learn Italian have resulted in spectacular failure.