Earlier this week, Cyber ShockWave, a simulated cyberattack on America, once again showed that the U.S.’s cybersecurity is not up to the task of protecting the country’s infrastructure. Under the hypothetical scenario cooked up by Cyber ShockWave’s planners, the attack was launched through smartphones, which are becoming increasingly plausible as a potential threat. Cyber ShockWave simulated a devastating cyberattack on the U.S. Thursday that shut down telecom networks, electrical grids and gas lines — all within the participants’ imaginations, of course.
Does this article really deserve to reside on this site? The technical depth is that of what my grandmother might write. The insanity of this "test" isn't even worth argument. BTW- I created an account just so I could comment on how far out there this story is. I'd suggest taking it down. If these are the "security experts" advising our politicians, we need a complete overhaul. Anyone who still uses the word "cyber" has no clue what they're talking about.
"A virus takes over....." - fill in the blank.
There is a lot of malware around, but just saying that they move so easily and "take over" is a huge exaggeration.
Sending video files is the main method?
I don't think so. Many small files would be far better.
A virus takes over your phone. Okay, I'm with you there. The virus transfers to your computer. Okay, still makes sense.
This then takes down wireless and wired networks... sure, if there are enough infected computers.
NOW... why oh why would the next "step" even be in this scenario??? Let me remind you:
...the Eastern U.S. saw its electrical grid go down as a heat wave struck, and pipe bombs forced the shutdown of a major gas pipeline. Large parts of the Northeast and several major cities in the Midwest were hit by blackouts...
REALLY? REALLY???
I thought we were talking about the effects of cybersecurity and viruses. This has NOTHING to do with that. The safest network that can ever exist would not stop a heatwave! Nor would it stop blackouts or vandalism. Why not throw some more stuff in there? An earthquake and hurricane and lightning could hit! WE NEED MORE CYBERSECURITY!
Now, they propose to call the national guard for crowd control. Is this to control the angry crowd that lost their email, or as an effect of the gas pipeline terrorism? I would guess the later, in which case this is 2 totally different stories mixed into 1 as a scare tactic.
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US Cybersecurity Hypothetically Pathetic
Posted by: Richard Adhikari February 17, 2010 12:09 PMEarlier this week, Cyber ShockWave, a simulated cyberattack on America, once again showed that the U.S.’s cybersecurity is not up to the task of protecting the country’s infrastructure. Under the hypothetical scenario cooked up by Cyber ShockWave’s planners, the attack was launched through smartphones, which are becoming increasingly plausible as a potential threat. Cyber ShockWave simulated a devastating cyberattack on the U.S. Thursday that shut down telecom networks, electrical grids and gas lines — all within the participants’ imaginations, of course.
There is a lot of malware around, but just saying that they move so easily and "take over" is a huge exaggeration.
Sending video files is the main method?
I don't think so. Many small files would be far better.
This has to be a BS hoax.
This then takes down wireless and wired networks... sure, if there are enough infected computers.
NOW... why oh why would the next "step" even be in this scenario??? Let me remind you:
...the Eastern U.S. saw its electrical grid go down as a heat wave struck, and pipe bombs forced the shutdown of a major gas pipeline. Large parts of the Northeast and several major cities in the Midwest were hit by blackouts...
REALLY? REALLY???
I thought we were talking about the effects of cybersecurity and viruses. This has NOTHING to do with that. The safest network that can ever exist would not stop a heatwave! Nor would it stop blackouts or vandalism. Why not throw some more stuff in there? An earthquake and hurricane and lightning could hit! WE NEED MORE CYBERSECURITY!
Now, they propose to call the national guard for crowd control. Is this to control the angry crowd that lost their email, or as an effect of the gas pipeline terrorism? I would guess the later, in which case this is 2 totally different stories mixed into 1 as a scare tactic.