Smart Grid Computers Susceptible To Worm Attack

narramissic writes "Researchers with security consultancy IOActive have created a worm that could quickly spread among Smart Grid devices, small computers connected to the power grid that give customers and power companies better control over the electricity they use. '[The worm] spread from one meter to another and then it changed the text in the LCD screen to say "pwned,"' said Travis Goodspeed, an independent security consultant who worked with the IOActive team. In the hands of a malicious hacker, this code could be used to cut power to Smart Grid devices that use a feature called 'remote disconnect,' which allows power companies to cut a customer's power via the network. The robustness of US power networks has been a hot-button issue after a technical glitch in 2003 caused a cascading power failure in the eastern United States and Canada that affected 55 million people."

Comments

Re:This shows the weakness of anything centralized

[AchilleTalon]

So, that's time to change this way to do things. This is the reason I have harnessed a whole flock of squirels to run in a large squirel cage linked to a damn big dynamo which produce enough power to fill my needs. And you know what? It just costs me peanuts!

corruption and 'alignment'

[Scrameustache]

Bribe just about any good electrician

Erm... evil, maybe? :)