Thread: Hackers destroy Water Pipe

It sounds a bit...strange (how in the fuck could hackers destroy a water pipe?) but basically the allegation is that usernames and passwords were stolen from a company which writes software for industrial systems. Those then were used to access the utility network and turned a pipe on and off quickly which caused the pipe to break.

the article (it isn't that long or detailed to be honest)
BBC News - Hackers 'hit' US water treatment systems

Yeah!!! Let's fuck up a water supply!! That'll surely "stick it to THE MAN."

imbedded OS equipment is something that IT departments may overlook. I do not know why this kind of thing is not on a closed network, but if you have to have it on your network, lock it down. Defense in depth goes a long ways toward protecting valuable assets.

Hackers must be getting bored these days.

"ahhh good morning world...today I think I'm going to break a water pipe"

I hope it was the pipe that supplied their neighborhood. Fucking morons.

It would break from water hammer. Turning a valve open then closing it quickly will cause the rushing water going through slam the valve. It will obviously break at the weakest point. Normally at a bell (joint) or in the middle splitting it long ways. It is something for everyone in the water industry to be aware of. I have seen pressures get above 200 PSI on bigger lines if some one shuts a valve off too quickly or they don't turn the pump off gradually.