Ironworks Gaming Forum - Be afraid, be very afraid

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These stories sort of follow on from the discussion about who should retain control of the internet. I wonder if these stories change the minds of any supporters of the current situation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4655196.stm

I'll quote the relevant bits:

Quote:

'Fight the net'

When it describes plans for electronic warfare, or EW, the document takes on an extraordinary tone.

It seems to see the internet as being equivalent to an enemy weapons system.

"Strategy should be based on the premise that the Department [of Defense] will 'fight the net' as it would an enemy weapons system," it reads.

The slogan "fight the net" appears several times throughout the roadmap.

The authors warn that US networks are very vulnerable to attack by hackers, enemies seeking to disable them, or spies looking for intelligence.

"Networks are growing faster than we can defend them... Attack sophistication is increasing... Number of events is increasing."

US digital ambition

And, in a grand finale, the document recommends that the United States should seek the ability to "provide maximum control of the entire electromagnetic spectrum".

US forces should be able to "disrupt or destroy the full spectrum of globally emerging communications systems, sensors, and weapons systems dependent on the electromagnetic spectrum".

Consider that for a moment.

The US military seeks the capability to knock out every telephone, every networked computer, every radar system on the planet.

Are these plans the pipe dreams of self-aggrandising bureaucrats? Or are they real?

The fact that the "Information Operations Roadmap" is approved by the Secretary of Defense suggests that these plans are taken very seriously indeed in the Pentagon.

And that the scale and grandeur of the digital revolution is matched only by the US military's ambitions for it.

I don't know about anyone else, but this is scary stuff and surely an argument against continuing US control of the net? Not to mention that maximum control of the EM spectrum would affect far more than the author recognises - tv and radio being the two notables they missed.

On a less aggressive note, the nice slippery slope of the right to privacy on the internet conflicting with domestic US politics:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4631924.stm

[ 01-29-2006, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

Just what are they planning to do? Some supervirus? This is disturbing.

This reminds me a bit about Deus Ex where ECHELON IV monitors all electronic communication.

[ 01-29-2006, 11:20 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ]

Don't fall for the hype. The media has gotten ahold of this, and as usual think they have infornation. Sadly, or laughably, these are the same reporters than cannot distinguish the difference between a hole in the earth, and an orfice they deficate from. They are trying to make the story, give it some great name, and label it something it's not. That Dan fellow tried this, where did he go?
<s>Trust</s> Believe me, what they allow the media to propogate is far less of what is HELD back from the media. So, if your floundering on this, your late, we already control the electromagnetic spectrum on/in/and around the battlefield.
BTW: Have you forgotten? Al Gore "invented" the internet, so in a sense it's ours to control.

The net can handle a nuke strike. This was what it was meant for. If one network breaks, it reroutes. You may have slower surfing, but it'll still work.

They would have to attack at the main point. DNS host/namesevers like networksolutions. And THEIR network is on gov ultra protetive networks.

EMP - one nuke at high altitude would cripple the US.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/10-1-2005-77899.asp

EMP pfft: I built and used one on my excessively loud and obnoxious neighbors stereo last summer. He has yet to figure out why his house was the only house on the street to receive an irreversible and destructive power surge.

Now, one thing Mr Einstein forgot, as well as this report. Space is a factor, and an issue, along with "dark matter"! So, if one were to detonate an ultra atmosphereic EMP, it would effect a whole lot more than just the US. But, we are all fully aware of this minor discrepancy, and fully understand as the story relates, exactly what would be the outcome?

Quote:

Originally posted by Felix The Assassin:
Don't fall for the hype. The media has gotten ahold of this, and as usual think they have infornation. Sadly, or laughably, these are the same reporters than cannot distinguish the difference between a hole in the earth, and an orfice they deficate from. They are trying to make the story, give it some great name, and label it something it's not. That Dan fellow tried this, where did he go?
<s>Trust</s> Believe me, what they allow the media to propogate is far less of what is HELD back from the media. So, if your floundering on this, your late, we already control the electromagnetic spectrum on/in/and around the battlefield.
BTW: Have you forgotten? Al Gore "invented" the internet, so in a sense it's ours to control.

Which surely means that its absolutely right for us (and the writer) to be concerned? Just because we're late in doing so doesn't make it unjustified!

[ 01-29-2006, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

Remember the ending to "Escape from LA" ? [img]smile.gif[/img] Snake let the orbiting device EMP the whole world, and killed EVERYTHING with power.

Back to the stoneage (for a short time)