04.23.12
Mighty Cyberwarriors
LONDON (Dow Jones)–Iranian authorities are investigating alleged cyber-attacks against Iran’s oil ministry and possibly against the key export hub, though oil shipments haven’t been affected, Iranian oil officials said Monday.
The computer attack–reminiscent of a virus that allegedly targeted Tehran’s nuclear program in 2010–highlights potential new vulnerabilities for the Islamic Republic’s oil exports, which international sanctions have already impeded.
Personnel at the Kharg oil terminal haven’t been able to send or receive any e-mail since Sunday, said an oil official at the terminal, through which at least 80% of Iran’s exports are shipped abroad. An investigation has begun into the suspected cyber-attack, he said.
But the e-mail shutoff is having “no effect on the exports,” the oil official said. “There is a normal procedure at the terminal. We are using telephone, fax, SMS.”
Maybe they could send malware-loaded e-mail to the mullahs, too. Ah, they already are. Hot stuff.
So maybe they’ll retaliate and send their special malware e-mail to Wall Street investment banks, or — better — the President. That’ll work. I know he reads yours and mine. Really.