Malware Could Have Played Part in Plane Crash
Investigators searching for clues as to why a Spanair flight crashed in 2008 have discovered that malware may have played a part in the tragedy.
On August 20, 2008, Spanair flight 5022 crashed just after it took off, killing 154 people and leaving only 18 survivors. This month, an internal report issued by the airline revealed that a central computer system used to monitor technical problems in the aircraft was infected with malware. The report claims that as a result of the malware, the computer failed to issue three warnings that would have stopped flight 5022 from taking off.
MSNBC reports that there were three things wrong with the plane, which should have prevented it from taking to the air. One of these problems saw the plane take off with its flaps and slats retracted. No warnings were sounded for any of the faults, and investigators say this is because the monitoring system was infected with a trojan.
Authorities have not determined how the malware found its way onto the computer system, but a full report on the incident is due in December.
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they must have been using mcafee.
The cyber-wars have spilled over from financial and sex crimes to murder. More cyber-warriors needed with the proper authority and armaments.
They were probably using McAffe
or googling cameron diaz
they must have been using mcafee.
You beet me by a split second
You beet me by a split second
and what a split-second it was
I bet the person who looked up p0rn at work really regretted it.
Good. The idiot hackers should go to jail for something.
Exactly, dumb a$$ hackers, it's one thing to poke around an open machine, it's another thing to f*cking kill people with your stupidity.
Wow 8o. sucks to be one who did this.
Why on Earth were they running Windows?? For this kind of thing a Unix based system would be a far more suitable choice.
if they ever track the creator of the malware they should spend the rest of their lives in jail.
oh goodie, we got forum spammers here now too selling counterfeit products
Why on Earth were they running Windows?? For this kind of thing a Unix based system would be a far more suitable choice.
Better question, why are they connected to the internet? I would think that everything should be kept local is possible for security's sake. If they can get malware they can get hacked.
Why on Earth were they running Windows?? For this kind of thing a Unix based system would be a far more suitable choice.
Why on Earth were they running Windows?? For this kind of thing a Unix based system would be a far more suitable choice.
Agreed. I expect some thing this critical would probably be running off the shelf Unix (ie HP UX,etc) or custom openBSD OS.
Better question, why are they connected to the internet? I would think that everything should be kept local is possible for security's sake. If they can get malware they can get hacked.
Very true. Although I could imagine a situation where such systems would be connected to an off site centre for backup purposes, data analysis, offsite administration etc.
probably not connected to the internet
most likely a pen drive
Agreed. I expect some thing this critical would probably be running off the shelf Unix (ie HP UX,etc) or custom openBSD OS.
Exactly. Is Windows even certified for mission critical applications? I know Apple specifically says that you should not use OS X for systems that are safety-mission critical. It says as much in their EULA (Section 8 in the Snow Leopard EULA). Looking at the Windows Server 2008 EULA, I can't see anything to that effect.
Common desktop operating systems should not be used for safety/mission critical applications.
They should find the guy who designed the trojan, and charge him with 154 counts of manslughter.
ok...why in the phuck was the airplane connected to the net??? this really boggles my mind...do the pilots need to surf the net while flying?
even if its not connected to the net its not 100% secure. All it takes is 1 person to stick in their flash drive with som unknown malware on it. It could have even been a terrorist act.....makes me feel real safe flying now i know planes can be attacked by malware...
It wasn't the plane that was affected. it was the monitoring system that was supposed to report on the plane. read the article.
welshmouse,
The monitoring system is on the aircraft, yes? Then the aircraft was attacked.
McADeath
They are very lucky it was only one plane effected.....
LOL @ All of the people who think they know what they are talking about with regards to computer security.
I'll tell you bluntly, ANY commercially available OS is EASILY hackable these days.
If you are going to design an airplane, it is very expensive to develop custom software for it (and test, and debug, and maintain, and everything else).
If 'hackers' get a hold of your security information (enough to create malware for it), it doesn't matter what OS you are running. You're just f***ed.
from script kiddie to mass murderer...congratulations
Jesus, it's just like something that would (but didn't happen) happen in live free or die hard
1st - they are not using windows.
2nd - airplane's computer is not compatible with home or office OS.
3rd - i would be surprise if the systems is connected to the internet googling cameron diaz.
if this turn out to be true, this is premeditated.
154 people are dead. Is this really something to joke about?
Why on Earth were they running Windows?? For this kind of thing a Unix based system would be a far more suitable choice.
I never saw which operating system the central computer used.
It's not been disclosed at all yet.Wait till the facts come in.
It could very well be a Unix based OS as well.