US at extreme risk for cyber attack...

[Eclypse]

I think this is one of the biggest defense concerns we should have outside of WMD's etc as cyber warfare will be the weapon of chioce in the future. Take skynet from terminator and how it simply shut down all communication...if our networks were to be infiltrated during a time of war that would be about a worst case scenario....

Intel Chief: U.S. at Risk of Crippling Cyber Attack
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...-cyber-attack/

The United States is at risk of a crippling cyber attack that could "wreak havoc" on the country because the "technological balance" makes it much easier to launch a cyber strike than defend against it, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said Tuesday.

Blair, speaking to the House Intelligence Committee, said U.S. tools are not yet up to the task to fully protect against such an attack.

"What we don't quite understand as seriously as we should is the extent of malicious cyberactivity that grows, that is growing now at unprecedented rates, extraordinary sophistication," Blair said. "And the dynamic of cyberspace, when you look at the technological balance, right now it favors those who want to use the Internet for malicious purposes over those who want to use it for legal and lawful purposes."

Blair said the United States must "deal with that reality," and warned of the catastrophic consequences of a major attack.

"Attacks against networks that control the critical infrastructure in this country ... could wreak havoc," Blair said. "Cyber defenders right now, it's simply the facts of the matter, have to spend more and work harder than the attackers do, and our efforts frankly are not strong enough to recognize, deal with that reality."

He said one critical "factor" is that more and more foreign companies are supplying software and hardware for government and private sector networks.

"This increases the potential for subversion of the information in ... those systems," Blair said.

Blair also told Congress Tuesday that the Internet is providing the fuel for the growing problem of "homegrown radicalization."

"That ... has been one of the most dangerous uses of the Internet," Blair said, explaining that foreign groups are using the Internet to organize attacks, give instructions and arrange financing.

Intelligence officials are on the Hill to discuss the annual threat assessment, which is garnering particular interest in the wake of the failed bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight bound for Detroit on Christmas Day.

Senior intelligence officials told Congress Tuesday that Al Qaeda could try to carry out an attack in the United States in the next three to six months.

CIA Director Leon Panetta said Al Qaeda is sending operatives to the United States to carry out new attacks from inside the country and inspiring homegrown extremists.

Obama has promised to make cyber security a priority in his administration, but the president's new budget asks for a decrease in funds for the Homeland Security Department's cybersecurity division.

The government's first quadrennial homeland security review states high consequence and large-scale cyberattacks could massively disable or hurt international financial, commercial and physical infrastructure.

The report, obtained by The Associated Press, said these types of cyber attacks could cripple the movement of people and goods around the world and bring vital social and economic programs to a halt.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[_-Scarlett-_]

I don't think people realize what kind of an impact this will have on their lives. I pretty much don't. But then I get to thinking; I use my credit card to pay for most everything, if machines are down, how will I pay for anything?

[Eclypse]

Originally Posted by _-Scarlett-_

I don't think people realize what kind of an impact this will have on their lives. I pretty much don't. But then I get to thinking; I use my credit card to pay for most everything, if machines are down, how will I pay for anything?

I think you've nailed it on the head there Scarlett. Pretty much EVERYTHING is connected to the internet and becomes more so over time. Our cyber security as a nation is no where near where it needs or should be...point and case the recent attacks in the past 5 years most of which come from China.

If one can hack these systems, even our govt/military systems, then how well will our "advanced" military do or be capable of?

[drefan72]

I honestly don't think it'll be that bad. Just like the "color terror alert" system, I think this is just another way of someone trying to scare the average person. This reminds me of the supposed y2k bug that some people were convinced would cause no end of trouble, airplanes falling, etc. None of that happened, and I don't believe anything will happen now.

[bigfan]

To me this is just more fear mongering from the right, which FAUX news always champions.
I agree with drefan on this one, I don't think it will be that bad.

[Scabota]

Originally Posted by bigfan

To me this is just more fear mongering from the right, which FAUX news always champions.

It could be very bad. A number of people are concerned about your nations security and you would wave it off because it came from Fox news and the Associated Press.

What if Clinton suggested it, would your view change then? Are you suggesting that the right wing is the only one to scare monger when Al Gore tells us that the world is going to start spinning the other way unless we defeat 'ManBearPig?' Last time I checked, eco friendly products are a multi-billion dollar industry and a major part of your economy.

So quit pointing out that major news networks falsify statements, as if every other network you watch doesn't. I'm not even a republican and I find your constant badgering of the right repulsive.

[bigfan]

Originally Posted by Scabota

It could be very bad. A number of people are concerned about your nations security and you would wave it off because it came from Fox news and the Associated Press.

What if Clinton suggested it, would your view change then? Are you suggesting that the right wing is the only one to scare monger when Al Gore tells us that the world is going to start spinning the other way unless we defeat 'ManBearPig?' Last time I checked, eco friendly products are a multi-billion dollar industry and a major part of your economy.

So quit pointing out that major news networks falsify statements, as if every other network you watch doesn't. I'm not even a republican and I find your constant badgering of the right repulsive.

this is a DISCUSSION forum, I simply stated my opinion regarding the topic. If that offends you in some way I aploligise, but you really should chill out.

[rainshadow]

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[Scabota]

There have been cyber attacks against your government. How damaging they were, I don't know. But if someone is trying to get at your information, you should always defend it. With everything on computers, who knows what these people are capable of, or what their intentions are.

So making the point that it's fear mongering is beyond ridiculous. This is obviously a discussion forum. You have inadvertently caused discussion that has to do with this topic directly and also that all information from news agencies with a 'right wing' agenda are false and should be disregarded.

And it isn't FAUX news, it's Fox News. I am sure I could come up with something clever for MSNBC, but I don't want to put down other people indirectly because I disagree with their choice of programming.

[mod24]

Good evening. We will be monitoring this thread as it develops and we wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of the message board rules:
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While philosophical and provocative discussions are acceptable, please remember variety is the spice of life and we all hold unique beliefs, some more deeply and passionately than others. Access here is not a right. Thank you for considering others around you.

With regards,

Your Administration and Moderation Team

QFT.

The discussion at hand is NOT Fox News or any of the other news outlets. Get onto the topic at hand or the thread is closed. Neither trashing news networks nor defending them should be necessary. Please simply state your opinions... people tend to get worked up over news networks, but this is not what the thread is about.