U.S., Israel developed Flame computer virus to slow Iranian nuclear efforts, officials say

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

U.S., Israel developed Flame computer virus to slow Iranian nuclear efforts, officials say

By Ellen Nakashima, Greg Miller and Julie Tate, Tuesday, June 19, 3:07 PM

The United States and Israel jointly developed a sophisticated computer virus nicknamed Flame that collected intelligence in preparation for cyber-sabotage aimed at slowing Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon, according to Western officials with knowledge of the effort.

The massive piece of malware secretly mapped and monitored Iran’s computer networks, sending back a steady stream of intelligence to prepare for a cyberwarfare campaign, according to the officials.

The effort, involving the National Security Agency, the CIA and Israel’s military, has included the use of destructive software such as the Stuxnet virus to cause malfunctions in Iran’s nuclear-enrichment equipment.

The emerging details about Flame provide new clues to what is thought to be the first sustained campaign of cyber-sabotage against an adversary of the United States.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-israel-developed-computer-virus-to-slow-iranian-nuclear-efforts-officials-say/2012/06/19/gJQA6xBPoV_story.html

[bemildred]

1. My, we are just so chatty about it now, aren't we?

Regular little marketing campaign.

[clang1]

2. re Flame

The thing is this virus from the US and Israel was on computers other than Iranian computers.

[bemildred]

5. RIght, they can't really control it either.

I was pointing out that it seems to have gone from covert or overt, they are all over the news with this now, "anonymous" government spokespersons blabbing away to news people, giving us all the cool backstory.

[Gman]

3. Better than bombs

No one dies

[clang1]

4. Better than bombs

Whatever