After Iran, Indonesia, and India, the super virus Stuxnet attacked China, causing an unprecedented danger. Iran has been hit in its nuclear power plant, at an unknown extent. Xinhua reported 6 million computers infected and nearly 1,000 plants contaminated. Stuxnet is a malicious code, a rogue program seeking command module for industrial equipment. In China the super computers run by Siemens were its target. Beijing’s concern is understandably high. The cyber virus (maliware, malicious software) may block railways, airports, factories, banks, even the Three Gorges Dam. Security and normal social life might be at stake. Alert is increasing since technicians know this kind of virus is not driven by marginal interests. Sabotage is feared.
Ironically, after being accused of electronic piracy, China is now a victim. Beyond the immediate consequences, she discovers herself weaker. Secret agents or ruthless hackers might make China vulnerable. Its civilization was protected by the Great Wall, but its security is not guarded by sophisticated firewalls. The nation succeeded in globalization and still tries to maintain its national identity. That was a contradiction, nevertheless working. Now China is exposed, as any other country. It is sour to discover that it is more difficult to stop cyber virus than keeping inflation and yuan exchange rate under control.
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