Russian ships may be preparing to attack the global internet

[alex330]

Russian ships may be preparing to attack the global internet

"US government sources have revealed to the New York Times growing concerns that Russian naval vessels may be threatening the global internet infrastructure. Russian ships have been seen tracing out the routes of the trans-oceanic cables that carry the vast majority of the world’s internet traffic around the world. Russian ships seem to be deliberately staying close enough to these cables to use their attached submersibles, which the US says could descend and sever the lines — or perhaps tap them. The sheer number of ships involved has been described by senior diplomats as comparable to the Cold War."


http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/216941-russian-ships-may-be-preparing-to-attack-the-global-internet

[Slumba]

From my understanding, the cables have to be clearly marked on maps, so that ships know not to drag anchors near them.  So even if Russia didn't have a decent spy network with competent people, they could find out where they are.

[mendeleyev]

Any threat of future conflict would allow those cables to be a bargaining chip, if not a downright mission to disable certain diplomatic and military assets that rely on Internet access.

Cutting off the internet in a time of internal conflict would allow governments to keep opposition in the dark, and to keep the outside world in the dark about transpiring events inside borders.

[Darth_Budda]

Well at least they are not Hacking into the cables to Spy on the world.... NSA....

This article and articles like this highlight western propaganda...

It is designed to make the American people view Russia in a negative light and to grow Fear..

It's not working with most normal americans....

[sleepycat]

It's not working with most normal americans....

Fortunately most normal Americans aren't commies...

[fathertime]

Any threat of future conflict would allow those cables to be a bargaining chip, if not a downright mission to disable certain diplomatic and military assets that rely on Internet access.

Cutting off the internet in a time of internal conflict would allow governments to keep opposition in the dark, and to keep the outside world in the dark about transpiring events inside borders.

Well at least they are not Hacking into the cables to Spy on the world.... NSA....

This article and articles like this highlight western propaganda...

It is designed to make the American people view Russia in a negative light and to grow Fear..

It's not working with most normal americans....

I agree with both these points.


Fathertime!   

[Slumba]

Any threat of future conflict would allow those cables to be a bargaining chip, if not a downright mission to disable certain diplomatic and military assets that rely on Internet access.

Cutting off the internet in a time of internal conflict would allow governments to keep opposition in the dark, and to keep the outside world in the dark about transpiring events inside borders.

Well, they already would have control of the networks in their own countries, so it would be cheaper and less hassle to simply call the Internet providers and say "turn it off".  My view would be more an offensive capability, where you could darken other people's Internet.

If the Spratly-China-Philiippines-USA thing heats up, Philippines could be made dark very quickly - they are a series of islands and all their Internet comes in on underseas fiber.  They are too far away from other land to use microwave relay, no matter how high the tower.

PLDT (the AT&T of the Philippines, and just as evil and mercenary): http://www.pldt.com/news-center/article/2014/08/21/pldt-partners-with-pccw-global-for-new-int-l-fiber-optic-cable-system#.VjEIJit2Ou8

Undeseas cable map:  http://www.submarinecablemap.com/

[mendeleyev]

Thank you for that info.

[jone]

Well at least they are not Hacking into the cables to Spy on the world.... NSA....

This article and articles like this highlight western propaganda...

It is designed to make the American people view Russia in a negative light and to grow Fear..

It's not working with most normal americans....

I am curious to understand what you think is not working?  A common American is very fine talking to a common Russian.  But the perception of the Russian government right now by the common American is in the tank.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/181568/americans-increasingly-russia-threat-top-enemy.aspx

[alex330]

For in country they would just barge into a cage and pull the plug on the core routers I would think. Cutting undersea cables would wreck economic havoc on many counties but primarily the US.

I used to manage a large installation in Nap of the Americas in Miami. Critical POP where most of the fiber from South of the US enters the country. One of five in the world. Southcom leases an entire floor in the facility. I observed and spoke with quite a few interesting people working for the government in the facility. This is not a scare tactic, it is a offensive option they can take if they want.

[fathertime]

Well, they already would have control of the networks in their own countries, so it would be cheaper and less hassle to simply call the Internet providers and say "turn it off".  My view would be more an offensive capability, where you could darken other people's Internet.

If the Spratly-China-Philiippines-USA thing heats up, Philippines could be made dark very quickly - they are a series of islands and all their Internet comes in on underseas fiber.  They are too far away from other land to use microwave relay, no matter how high the tower.

PLDT (the AT&T of the Philippines, and just as evil and mercenary): http://www.pldt.com/news-center/article/2014/08/21/pldt-partners-with-pccw-global-for-new-int-l-fiber-optic-cable-system#.VjEIJit2Ou8

Undeseas cable map:  http://www.submarinecablemap.com/

Fascinating map.  The western world is especially vulnerable to attack, and yeah I can see leaders of rival nations cutting lines of communication in a war, among a host of other things.  In the current and future world, I suppose more nations will have the ability to create more destruction.  Probably have to accept that, and be more willing to work things out..


Fathertime!   

[Muzh]

Russian Naval Shipbuilding: Is It Possible to Fulfill the Kremlin’s Grand Expectations?

Russia’s takeover of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent reinforcement of the region’s military forces have been combined with a general increase in naval activity—including aggressive activity vis-à-vis NATO countries’ maritime interests beyond the Black Sea. All this has led to increased international interest in Russian naval modernization plans. Although this modernization effort is going slowly, the Russian Navy’s ability to place effective long-range cruise missiles on relatively small ships means that Russia remains a serious regional maritime power with the capability to threaten not only its neighbors but much of Europe in the event of a conflict.

http://russiamil.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/russian-naval-shipbuilding-is-it-possible-to-fulfill-the-kremlins-grand-expectations/

[deccie]

I am curious to understand what you think is not working?  A common American is very fine talking to a common Russian.  But the perception of the Russian government right now by the common American is in the tank.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/181568/americans-increasingly-russia-threat-top-enemy.aspx

And the common American (as you put it) thinks so highly of his own government?

[calmissile]

And the common American (as you put it) thinks so highly of his own government?

Probably is accurate to state that common Americans think highly of our SYSTEM of government even though displeased with the current office holders of the presidency and congress.  This can be changed in the next election and subsequent elections without changing our form/system of government.

[deccie]

What about getting rid of the lobbyists? Given that Obama for one employed a large number of people from the previous administration I fail to see where matters have substantially changed no matter who has been in power. Obamacare is just a complete fail across the board on both sides of the political  fence.

[Muzh]

Probably is accurate to state that common Americans think highly of our SYSTEM of government

Total BS.


How many here are wondering why the Nigr hasn't been impeached when there are no constitutional evidence to do so?


They probably be very happy if there were a coup d'etat a la banana republik.

[fathertime]

Total BS.


How many here are wondering why the Nigr hasn't been impeached when there are no constitutional evidence to do so?


They probably be very happy if there were a coup d'etat a la banana republik.

He is right...since the party you favor isn't in the White House, all you patriots have been busy condemning everything from the corrupt court system, to corrupting interest groups.  This is all a part of our governmental process, and you and others have bitterly complained about it....If there was enough momentum, I think you would have likely supported a coup.   




Fathertime! 

[Slumba]

Total BS.


How many here are wondering why the Nigr hasn't been impeached when there are no constitutional evidence to do so?


They probably be very happy if there were a coup d'etat a la banana republik.

We are already in a banana republic in the USA.  You haven't figured that out yet?  I thought (well, actually you thought) you were smarter than me!

[Muzh]

We are already in a banana republic in the USA.  You haven't figured that out yet?  I thought (well, actually you thought) you were smarter than me!

Please re-read it, Einstein. 

[Anotherkiwi]

He is right...since the party you favor isn't in the White House, all you patriots have been busy condemning everything from the corrupt court system, to corrupting interest groups.  This is all a part of our governmental process, and you and others have bitterly complained about it....If there was enough momentum, I think you would have likely supported a coup.

Have I been reading this wrongly?  With all the attacks from the avowed Republicans, I thought that Muzh must be the only Democrat on the entire forum!

[Gator]

Have I been reading this wrongly?  With all the attacks from the avowed Republicans, I thought that Muzh must be the only Democrat on the entire forum!

We have only two groups, the Right and the Wrong. 

[fathertime]

Have I been reading this wrongly?  With all the attacks from the avowed Republicans, I thought that Muzh must be the only Democrat on the entire forum!

not sure how you read it...but many of the ultra-conservative members have complained bitterly about practically everything that has to do with our govt....Muzh doesn't appear to be conservative.


Fathertime! 

[Muzh]

not sure how you read it...but many of the ultra-conservative members have complained bitterly about practically everything that has to do with our govt....Muzh doesn't appear to be conservative.


Fathertime!

Forsooth! Bite your tongue!!