NY Times Upfront: CYBERWAR, page 14. by Patrica Smith {--Link--}
This article was about how hacking and computer technology has been used as warfare. On August 15th, an Iranian computer virus destroyed 30,000 computers in Saudi Arabia. The computers belonged to one of the largest current oil companies. The virus, "erased 75 percent of the data on Aramco's corporate computers." But this isn't just a threat to Saudi Arabia, the Defense Secretary believes a "cyber pearl harbor" could be coming, and this time we want to be ready. Obama has increased work on computer attacks on Iranian nuclear factories. Simulations have been done, cyber attacks can and will be a threat to the US until we protect ourselves.
Patricia didn't really speak in a commanding tone. She listed off facts and comments about what is happening around the world, and used quotes accordingly. It ends with her leading the reader to believing that cyber war will not eventually beat out actual war and a quote. I think she wanted the readers to be a little on edge, but not to think that other countries are going to have entire cities in their hands. She definitely wanted to get across that this is a big issue, but she didn't plan to frighten readers. Another quote from the article: "You don't have to be sophisticated to do a lot of damage," was spoken by Richard Clark a former counter terrorism official, really means that with all of our technology, you don't have to do much to prove a point.
This text reminded me of a new video game being released called "Watch Dogs." In this game you control a character that lives in Chicago. Chicago is run by a computer system called CtOS. In the game you hack the CtOS to learn about your surroundings and control the city on demand. From changing traffic lights, to stopping trains, the entire city is under your control. It also includes the ability to hack bank accounts and steal info about people, just by looking at your cell phone. After reading this article I found this game come quite close to home. If cyber warfare can be a real problem in the future, why showcase something dangerous in an interactive way? It really does bug me. Its as bad as when they make movies where the world is ending. It seems a bit like pushing your luck.
Thanks For Reading!
-drat
Post Script:
Do you find this game off in any way? Write your thoughts.
Off? Well I think that CtOS would have some better security. Seeing how it has so much power. I do think that it is a good representation of what is happening. Everything is being controlled by computers and technology. All it takes it one hacker to seriously mess things up. Take Anonymous for example. They got the credit card numbers of many people by knowing how to hack PSN. That's very dangerous
ReplyDeleteCyber warfare seems like a scary and dangerous thing. I recently went to the Spy Museum in D.C. and the very last room is about this. We don't pay much attention, but if someone hacked into the grid, they could have the whole country out of power in minutes. They could launch missiles, release toxins, ANYTHING, with the simple press of a key. The "Watch Dogs" game seems a little bit off– it's basically telling people how to do this (I imagine). Hopefully it won't be taken too seriously!
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