Security alert at German nuclear power plant after computer systems are found to be infected with viruses

Technicians found two computer viruses at the Gundremmigen facility 

Officials claimed none of the infected systems were connected to the web

The computer systems were infected by a USB drive hiding the software 

The nuclear power plant is approximately 75 miles north west of Munich 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 A computer system at a German nuclear power plant which controls the movement of radioactive fuel rods has been invested by a two viruses. 

Officials discovered the unauthorised software at the Gundremmingen plant around 75 miles northwest of Munich. 

The plant is run by German utility company RWE claims the security of the facility was not jeopardised because the infected computer systems were not connected to the internet. 

The computers were infected by 'W32.Ramnit' and 'Conficker' viruses.   

Malware was also found on 18 removable data drives, mainlyUSB sticks, in office computers maintained separately from theplant's operating systems. RWE said it had increasedcyber-security measures as a result.

W32.Ramnit is designed to steal files from infectedcomputers and targets Microsoft Windows software, according tothe security firm Symantec. First discovered in 2010, it isdistributed through data sticks, among other methods, and isintended to give an attacker remote control over a system whenit is connected to the Internet.

Conficker has infected millions of Windows computersworldwide since it first came to light in 2008. It is able tospread through networks and by copying itself onto removabledata drives, Symantec said

As an example, Hypponen said he had recently spoken to aEuropean aircraft maker that said it cleans the cockpits of itsplanes every week of malware designed for Android phones. Themalware spread to the planes only because factory employees werecharging their phones with the USB port in the cockpit.

Because the plane runs a different operating system, nothingwould befall it. But it would pass the virus on to other devicesthat plugged into the charger.

In 2013, a computer virus attacked a turbine control systemat a U.S. power company after a technician inserted an infectedUSB computer drive into the network, keeping a plant off linefor three weeks.

After Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster five years ago,concern in Germany over the safety of nuclear power triggered adecision by the government to speed up the shutdown of nuclearplants. Tuesday was the 30th anniversary of the Chernobylnuclear disaster.

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