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A cyberattack could wreak destruction comparable to a nuclear weapon
People around the world may be worried about nuclear tensions rising, but I think they're missing the fact that a major cyberattack could be just as damaging—and hackers are already laying the groundwork.
With the U.S. and Russia pulling out of a key nuclear weapons pact—and beginning to develop new nuclear weapons—plus Iran tensions and North Korea again test-launching missiles, the global threat to civilization is high. Some fear a new nuclear arms race.
That threat is serious—but another could be as serious, and is less visible to the public. So far, most of the well-known hacking incidents, even those with foreign government backing, have done little more than steal data. Unfortunately, there are signs that hackers have placed malicious software inside U.S. power and water systems, where it's lying in wait, ready to be triggered. The U.S. military has also reportedly penetrated the computers that control Russian electrical systems.
As someone who studies cybersecurity and information warfare, I'm concerned that a cyberattack with widespread impact, an intrusion in one area that spreads to others or a combination of lots of smaller attacks, could cause significant damage, including mass injury and death rivaling the death toll of a nuclear weapon.
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Wednesday August 21 2019, @03:50PM (3 children)
The instructions I heard (I'm a Canadian) about legal entry to Canada was that if you happen to cross the border where there isn't an official customs and immigration facility, then you should report to one as soon as possible.
I don't know what all this fuss is about with arresting people when they cross elsewhere. It does seem to be happening, but why? The problem is presumably with those who do not so report within a reasonable time. But arresting them as they cross doesn't give them the opportunity to do so.
-- hendrik
(Score: 3, Interesting) by DannyB on Wednesday August 21 2019, @04:19PM (1 child)
My employer, multiple levels removed, is a Canadian company. When I've been there (only Toronto so far), it's like being in the Northern US -- just cleaner. Smaller but better tasting food portions. The paper currency is more attractively designed and colorful. The office I was visiting didn't have free soda like my office, and I didn't have the correct coins. Someone quickly and kindly sprang up to offer me the correct coins.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Thursday August 22 2019, @10:58AM
I do like living in Canada.
The coloured money is plastic instead of paper. Pretty. And I don't mean credit cards (which are also plastic). It's a transparent kind of plastic that's almost impossible to duplicate convincingly. The secret to making it seems to be kept in New Zealand. It looks flimsy but is amazingly strong. It lasts, even when wet. You can launder your dollar bills (by mistake or not) and they survive.
I had a Number Theory professor at university in the 60's. He was black, and had married a white woman in Berkeley. Now Berkeley was a pretty tolerant place compared to some other locations in the USA, but the couple still felt hostility from the local community.
When he moved to Winnipeg (in Canada, in case you don't know) he was astonished that no one whatsoever cared about his or his wife's race. He kept telling us about that until he realized that he was just boring people.
Yes. I like living here.
-- hendrik
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday August 21 2019, @04:35PM
How does anybody think it works for boats which travel between the island nations? Check in with the Harbormaster, cause he's sure as hell not interested enough to come talk to you. Local customs apply, put up the Q flag and hope somebody from the harbormaster's office comes out to see you, etc.
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