Email virus hits UK Royal Navy
p2pnet news view | Security:- Britain’s Royal Navy reckons it rules the waves, but that doesn’t apply in cyberspace, and as proof, as many as 75% of its vessels may have been bitten by an electronic bug that’s chewed into communication systems.
Virus infections which have, “shut down ‘a small number’ of MoD systems, most notably including admin networks aboard Royal Navy warships,” says The Register.
NavyStar (N*) systems, based on a server cabinet and cable-networked PCs on each warship and used for purposes such as storekeeping, email and similar support functions, have been hit, says the story.
N* ship nets connect to wider networks by shore connection when vessels are in harbour and using satcomms when at sea, it says, pointing out the system is supplied by Fujitsu, “with most of the Navy’s fleet being equipped in the early years of the century”.
“N* is, “intended to stay in service, coming under the Defence Information Infrastructure now being rolled out,” it states.
Weapons and navigational systems were unaffected by the computer virus, the BBC has an MoD spokesman saying, adding:
“He said personnel were able to use ‘welfare phone systems’ to contact family but would not comment on reports that 75% of the fleet was affected.”
The Register – Royal Navy warships lose email in virus infection, January 15, 2009
BBC – Computer virus hits navy e-mails, January 15, 2009
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