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A recent massive power outage in two Brazilian cities has led to concerns of a possible cyber attack from an unknown source

Major TV network CBS recently said cyber attacks caused power outages in Brazil that took place in 2005 and 2007, with unconfirmed reports indicating recent power issues in the country may also be blamed on cyber attacks.

The 2007 power outage forced more than 3 million people in the Espirito Santo State to go without power for around two days -- the 2005 attack hit Rio de Janeiro, with a lower number of residents affected.  The Brazilian government issued an official statement saying soot was responsible for the power outages, not cyber attacks from foreign criminals.

Organized hacker teams have been able to target the infrastructure in the United States, Brazil and other nations, as cyber security experts attempt to prevent similar attacks from occurring so easily.

Since the 2016 Olympics will be hosted in Rio de Janeiro, country officials have promised to create a "power island" that will ensure a reliable power source as thousands of athletes and fans from around the world flock to the Brazilian city.

There is growing concern a similar event could hit the United States at some point in the future, especially if the country's infrastructure isn't better protected.

There have been several high-profile cases of cyber attacks being blamed on rival nations, such as the United States and South Korea blaming North Korea for a cyber attack that brought down networks in several different countries.  Furthermore, China also reportedly continues to build its cyberarmy that is designed to launch attacks on the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and other rival nations.

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China Won't Attack Anytime Soon....
By rasmith260 on 11/13/2009 3:04:56 PM , Rating: 5
I seriously doubt China is interested in attacking us seeing as how their so heavily invested in our economy. It would be difficult to hurt us without hurting themselves, heck if they really wanted to hurt us they could just start pulling their money out; therefore no need for cyber attacks or e-bombs or anything else.




By banvetor on 11/13/2009 3:21:42 PM , Rating: 3
thank-you. My brain was hurting until I read your post with the first bit of logical information on the page.


By SpaceJumper on 11/13/2009 9:31:32 PM , Rating: 2
Economic attack is more damaging than the cyber attack. If China starts world-trading using their own currency instead of US dollar then US dollar will be in serious trouble.


You know...
By Smartless on 11/13/2009 1:47:13 PM , Rating: 1
You wonder why China bothers with cyber attacks. They are billions of other ways.




RE: You know...
By Iaiken on 11/13/2009 2:01:20 PM , Rating: 2
It's inexpensive.

Major power blackouts cost the economies of afflicted nations and their trading partners anywhere from millions of dollars to billions of dollars per day depending on the size. This in turn costs the government a significant amount in tax revenues and disaster/contingency planning.

The 2003 blackout is a perfect example of just how expensive these things can be with a net total cost of 11 billion dollars to the economies of Canada, The US and their trading partners.

Even if a cyber army costs you millions of dollars per year (highly doubtful it even costs close to that in China), the damage you can inflict on competing nations allows them to easily justify the expense.

Add in that any conventional war being fought between modern nations would likely have a cyber war being engaged against communications and power infrastructures and it's a no-brainer.


RE: You know...
By nafhan on 11/13/2009 2:30:23 PM , Rating: 2
A few reasons:
-Damage "enemy" infrastructure without having anyone on location
-Cost vs. damage caused to enemy is very favorable
-Most importantly, easy to deny responsibility and hard to prove who did it


RE: You know...
By SpaceJumper on 11/13/2009 9:23:32 PM , Rating: 2
Agree 100%. Iraq is a living proof. Direct contact is the best. Global peace through deadly force. Cyber attack could be very disappointing when someone disconnect the RJ-45 cable during the attack.


Won't work on the US.
By lightfoot on 11/14/2009 1:44:51 PM , Rating: 2
One of the few advantages to our existing "Dumb-grid" technology.




Dumb Solution?
By maevinj on 11/13/09, Rating: -1
RE: Dumb Solution?
By SpaceJumper on 11/13/2009 1:45:12 PM , Rating: 2
What is E-bumbs?


RE: Dumb Solution?
By maevinj on 11/13/2009 1:48:27 PM , Rating: 2
RE: Dumb Solution?
By Chris Peredun on 11/13/2009 1:48:04 PM , Rating: 2
Slang term for electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weaponry. The most popular example would be a nuclear device detonated high above the earth's surface (HEMP, High-Altitude EMP), but non-nuclear devices exist as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse


RE: Dumb Solution?
By Murloc on 11/15/2009 3:18:43 PM , Rating: 2
oh yeah I want that one called HEMP


RE: Dumb Solution?
By ClownPuncher on 11/13/2009 4:13:03 PM , Rating: 3
It is what makes teens dress up in cybergoth style and wave glowsticks around.


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