Imagine a digital virus that could destroy your computer. Not crash its system, but actually wreck the physical hardware – say, melt the motherboard or burn up the hard drive. It might sound dystopian, but in fact, this kind of virus was discovered in Iran in 2010. And it wasn’t just wrecking a humble laptop – it was sabotaging Iranian nuclear infrastructure. The virus (or worm) became known as Stuxnet, and investigative journalist Kim Zetter has been following it ever since. This week on Whale Hunting, host Bradley Hope speaks to Kim about the uncovering of Stuxnet and what its groundbreaking technology meant for digital warfare – as well as the early death of the intelligence mole who deposited Stuxnet on Iranian systems.

To read more of Kim’s work, make sure to follow her on Twitter at @kimzetter or find her regular posts at zetter-zeroday.com. For more fromWhale Hunting, make sure to follow the podcast – and you can subscribe to our newsletter at whalehunting.projectbrazen.com.

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