Cool!Funny/Weird

The time AC/DC “Thunderstruck” was used in cyber warfare

Back in 2012, there were serious concerns that Iran was close to developing its own nuclear weapons. Rather than attack Iran’s nuclear facilities in a conventional manner, it was decided to launch a cyber attack. Knowing that the centre of Iran’s uranium enrichment program was at a facility in Natanz, computer scientist-warriors set to work.

First, and using what they learned by deploying another piece of malware called Stuxnet two years earlier, they were able to hack into the computer systems that controlled the centrifuges required for uranium enrichment. The viral load of code forced the centrifuges to spin out of control, wrecking everything in the process. This set Iran back in its bomb-making ambitions without costing a single life.

But there was also an additional psychological payload dropped by the malware. It somehow tapped into the Natanz PA system and forced it to play AC/DC‘s “Thunderstruck” at full volume. Pretty theatrical, right?

The malware attack on the centrifuges has been confirmed, but the “Thunderstruck” bomb has never been confirmed by official sources, although we do have an email from Mikko Hypponen, a computer security expert from Finland. He says the AC/DC attack on the Islamic Republic’s Atomic Agency was relayed to him by an Iranian scientist.

Please let it be true. Not only would this have been a cool way to get inside the head of the Iranians, but it would also be a testament to AC/DC’s cultural importance.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39664 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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