German Nuclear Plant Infected with Computer Viruses

The German Nuclear plant at Gundremmingen , found to be infected by computer viruses, is located about 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Munich and is run by the German utility RWE.

Eventhough the German nuclear plant was found to be infected wth computer viruses, it was felt the threat was not sizeable because it is not connected to the Internet.

The viruses, which include "W32.Ramnit" and "Conficker", were discovered at Gundremmingen's B unit in a computer system retrofitted in 2008 with data visualisation software associated with equipment for moving nuclear fuel rods, RWE said.

Malware was also found on 18 removable data drives at the German nuclear plant, mainly USB sticks, in office computers maintained separately from the plant's operating systems. RWE said it had increased cyber-security measures at the German nuclear pant as a result.

W32.Ramnit is designed to steal files from infected computers and targets Microsoft Windows software, according to the security manufacturer Symantec.

RWE has informed Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), which is working with IT specialists at the group to look into the incident of computer viruses at the German Nuclear plant.