Losing the 'net

[adam2]

I perceive some risk of an EMP attack by Russia, whom would try to blame it on Ukraine, or possibly on the western imperialists "whose missile malfunctioned and went off target"

[BritDownUnder]

I am not that sure EMP would overly affect satellites. From what I recall the EMP is produced by the effect of a nuclear explosion on the upper atmosphere gas molecules producing lots of electrons that then follow the Earth magnetic fields focusing them.
Most satellites especially communications satellites would probably be too high away from the magnetic field lines for this to affect them. I do recall reading that the US is especially vulnerable to EMP due to the orientation of the Earths magnetic field there.

Land based cables would probably be affected. Undersea and fibre optics cables perhaps less so.

Perhaps the US needs to make a statement that an EMP attack would invite full nuclear retaliation on all the 'usual suspects'.

[adam2]

A true fibre optic cable containing NO METAL would be immune to EMP damage.
However long distance fibre optic cables also contain at least one copper wire to power the repeaters that boost the optical signals along the route. This copper wire would have damaging voltages induced in it that would destroy the repeaters.
Submarine cables are well protected against EMP whilst in deep water. The shore sections and the terminal equipment would be vulnerable.

Local fibre optic cables with a steel wire armouring would be vulnerable to fire resulting from from dangerous voltages on the armouring, and to destruction of the connected equipment.

[clv101]

This us novel/interesting:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... taged.html

France has suffered huge internet outages across the country after fibre optic cables were cut overnight in 'multiple malicious acts' of sabotage.

The apparently coordinated attacks saw multiple cables broken at around 4am, causing massive disruption to internet and phone services.

I've always thought the super grid was vulnerable to a coordinated attack. A dozen teams with angle grinders felling key pylons, if they wore hi-vis and drove white vans it could be done in broad daylight. But here's the same kind of attack targeting optical fibers. In many cases such fibers are totally unprotected, just under a manhole cover in the road... And only bolt cutters are needed.

[kenneal - lagger]

Macron must have said something nasty to Putin when he met him.

[adam2]

Both electricity transmission and data links are highly vulnerable and are far too extensive to guard against attack.
I am surprised that this has not happened before, in France or anywhere else.

Wonder who did it ? Russia is the obvious suspect, but Islamic terrorists or the yellow vest protesters are other possibilities. Or it might be simple criminal extortion "give us loads of money or we will shut down your data network" Loads of money not paid, and data network compromised though not entirely shut down.

Fiber optic data cables are complex to repair or joint, and only a limited number of repairs are possible before the cable or a substantial length thereof requires replacement.

International telephone and data cables are also very vulnerable to both enemy submarines and to very low tech attack at the beach ends. I am aware of a location were storms regularly expose international data cables to view on a beach.

[BritDownUnder]

Macron must have said something nasty to Putin when he met him.

I think the word 'putain' in French means prostitute. I think one of the previous French Presidents Sarkozy had an attack of the giggles about this dual entendre several decades ago resulting in a very annoyed Putin.

A quite interesting attack. I recognise some of those connectors that are also used in Australian irrigation pipes. I suppose the 'net should be a mesh to be truly redundant and not a radial backbone with critical nodes.

[adam2]

The internet is at least partially a mesh network with a lot of redundancy against random breakdowns and accidents during roadworks. Hard to provide enough redundancy to protect against planned attacks at a number of locations almost simultaneously.

I expect that those responsible will try again, either in France or some other place.

[BritDownUnder]

The internet is at least partially a mesh network with a lot of redundancy against random breakdowns and accidents during roadworks. Hard to provide enough redundancy to protect against planned attacks at a number of locations almost simultaneously.

I expect that those responsible will try again, either in France or some other place.

Well it was originally in its DARPAnet form meant to survive a nuclear attack. That was before HTTP, ecommerce and all the rest of it I suppose. Might be a good idea to start with putting it in a bit more secure (from sabotage anyway) place.

I fully expect another try in another country just to test things.

[Vortex2]

A true fibre optic cable containing NO METAL would be immune to EMP damage.

Sadly it darkens in the face of a nearby nuclear explosion.
I believe that the B1 bomber had to have its original fibre optic cables ripped out when they discovered this.

[Vortex2]

Well it was originally in its DARPAnet form meant to survive a nuclear attack.

Sadly the Internet is no longer a mesh ... huge amounts of traffic now go through just a few high density connectors.

[BritDownUnder]

Well it was originally in its DARPAnet form meant to survive a nuclear attack.

Sadly the Internet is no longer a mesh ... huge amounts of traffic now go through just a few high density connectors.

'Twas the porn, the torrents and then Netflix that ruined it for redundancy then.

[adam2]

Shetland is cut off from the internet right now. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... d-63326102

[PS_RalphW]

Enemy action?

[adam2]

Enemy action?

Just about possible IMHO, but more likely to be natural causes. Shetland seems an unlkely target for putin or other enemies.