Saudi oil giant seals off network after mystery malware attack

Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco) shut down its computer network on Wednesday in response to a serious computer virus infection. The state-owned firm said the computer security incident is having no effect on oil production. "On Wednesday, August 15, 2012, an official at Saudi Aramco confirmed that the company has isolated …

[Keep Refrigerated]

Not surprising...

Running totally unsecured Win Vista desktops that pretty much allow you to download and install anything of the web.

Wonder if they'll beef up network security after this incident...

[LAGMonkey]

Re: Not surprising...

Not sure where about you are, but down here in Haradh all the Aramco computers are vindows 7 systems and the internet is locked down through proxy servers.

Granted once you get on the good side of a company man/IT bod you can get the username and passwords to get through to the outside world, however your still monitored for what actually is downloaded and they change the passwords every month.

Easier to get an STC or mobily sim card and a USB data stick. 350 SAR gives you unlimted internet and it truely is unlimited! ((just get a VPN and your safe from prying eyes).

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Not surprising...

Likewise the EXPEC UNIX network is probably still fine and dandy. If it even exists any more, that is...

[Keep Refrigerated]

Re: Not surprising...

You should get out Haradh and head to the coastal province of Dammam. If you get a chance, visit the offices there and see what I mean.

[Victor Ludorum]

Aha!

Have we found the target for <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/14/gauss_mystery_payload/">Gauss?</a>

[Anonymous Coward]

"a series of precautionary procedures and multiple redundant systems within its advanced and complex system"

Why am i suddenly thinking this line could appear in a future BOFH, shortly followed by a *Kerzzeerrt* from Ye Olde Cattle Prod

[Naughtyhorse]

having no effect on oil production.

well thats ok then,

(it's not like the saudis have form for telling porkies {cultural offence intended})

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't skim read story titles before coffee

The story is nothing to do with giant seals...

[g e]

Wonder what the virus will turn out to be named...

OyVey_Yeeha_Troj_B ?

[blofse]

Shut down network...

"The state-owned firm said the computer security incident is having no effect on oil production."

... so do they need to turn the computer system back on then?