funsec mailing list archives

Re: GSS warns that hackers can now destroy hardware


From: rms () computerbytesman com
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:03:30 -0400 (EDT)

In my condo building, the door for the parking garage is controlled by an
off-the-shelf Windows PC.  I'm sure with enough time and effort, the
software in this box can be modified to start closing the garage door in
such a way to scratch up a car as it is passing through.  Does this count
as hardware-destroying software ;-).

Richard


Are you scared yet?

[snip]   http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/653079/

Global Secure Systems, the specialist IT security consultants and system
integrators, has warned that hackers can now destroy hardware systems, as
well as software.

David Hobson, Managing Director at GSS, said that a US government video of
a
power station generator, released to the media earlier this week, clearly
shows what can happen when hackers take over control of a turbine system.

"The Department of Homeland Security video shows a mock-up of an
industrial
turbine taken over by hackers and destroyed by turning it into a heap of
smoking metal," he said.

"This is what can happen to your company's hardware if a hacker gains
access. We're not talking about a software crash - which is bad enough -
we're talking about real physical damage," he added.
[snip]

Real physical damage can be done only if your system is mechanical tied to
an unsecured computer subsystem.

This is so naively stupid I could rant for hours...

-joel

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