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A computer virus has infected the cockpits of America's Predator and Reaper drones, logging pilots' every keystroke as they remotely fly missions over Afghanistan and other warzones. The virus, first detected nearly two weeks ago by the military's Host-Based Security System, has not prevented pilots at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada from flying their missions overseas. Nor have there been any confirmed incidents of classified information being lost or sent to an outside source. But the virus has resisted multiple efforts to remove it from Creech's computers, network security specialists say. And the infection underscores the ongoing security risks in what has become the U.S. military's most important weapons system.

Hackers reportedly used an off-the-shelf computer attack created in China to compromise the computers of at least 48 companies, including in the chemical and defense industries -- an attack described as being similar to the notorious Stuxnet virus, if not as severe. The goal of the attacks, reported Monday by security software company Symantec, "appears to be to collect intellectual property such as design documents, formulas, and manufacturing processes." The purpose: "industrial espionage, collecting intellectual property for competitive advantage." Symantec dubbed the attack "Nitro" and said a total of 29 companies in the chemical industry were targeted, in addition to 19 in other sectors, starting in late July. Among the companies were some that develop materials used primarily in military vehicles. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/10/31/nitro-hackers-reportedly-attack-dozens-companies-in-chemical-defense-industries/?test=latestnews#ixzz1cTIClsp4