How to Prep for a Cyberattack
By Daisy Luther
With cyberattacks becoming more and more frequent, we’re starting to see the exceptionally dangerous vulnerabilities in our infrastructure. From the person who hacked the municipal water supply in Florida to the Colonial pipeline attack to the cyberattack that took out most of the power to Puerto Rico, we’ve been shown that the possibilities are infinite.
And with the upcoming “wargame” of Cyber Polygon coming up next month, a lot of people are on edge, as the World Economic Forum and other rich and powerful folks have an uncanny track record of “practicing” an event right before it happens. Think about Clade X and Event 201, for example.
I’m far from the only person noticing these “coincidences.”
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What is Cyber Polygon?
I’m glad you asked. Here it is, straight from the horse’s mouth.
Cyber Polygon is a unique cybersecurity event that combines the world’s largest technical training exercise for corporate teams and an online conference featuring senior officials from international organisations and leading corporations.
The 2021 conference discusses the key risks of digitalisation and best practice for the secure development of digital ecosystems.
The 2021 technical exercise builds and tests the skills needed to protect our industries, centring on a targeted supply-chain attack. (source)
Oh – that’s interesting. The supply chain. You know, the one we’re already struggling with even though the mainstream wants you to believe everything is just fiiiinnnne.
It’s not like a shortage of supplies could be hidden behind a “cyberattack” or anything.
The thing is, whether it’s real or manufactured, a cyberattack is something for which we should all be prepared. Just like I always write when talking about events like mass shootings, it doesn’t matter while you’re in the moment who’s responsible. What matters is surviving. We can thrash out who is responsible later.
So let’s talk about how to prepare for the potential of a cyberattack.
How does a cyber attack affect you?
You may think that if you don’t spend your day working online, that an attack on our computer infrastructure isn’t that big of a deal. You may feel like it wouldn’t affect you at all.
Unfortunately, there are very few people in the country that would remain completely unaffected in the event of a major cyberattack. Our economy, our utility grids, and our transportation systems are all heavily reliant upon computers. This makes us very vulnerable to such an attack.
And by vulnerable, I mean that if it was done on a big enough scale, it could essentially paralyze the entire country.
Here are some of the systems that are reliant on computers.
In the event of a widespread cyberattack, the following could be either completely inoperable or breached. Keep in mind that a domino effect could occur that affects systems beyond the original target.
- Gas stations (most of the pumps are now digital and connect right to your bank) – looking at YOU, Colonial Pipeline.
- Banks (all of the records are online) would not be able to process electronic transactions. ATM machines would not function to allow customers access to cash.
- Utility systems (most power stations are run by computers)
- Water treatment facilities (these are automated too)
- Protection of personal information, including data about your finances, medical records, physical location, and academic records – everything a person would need to steal your identity
- Government operations, including dangerous identifying information about federal employees or members of the military
- Transportation systems (trains, subways, and planes are heavily reliant upon computers)
- Traffic management systems like stoplights, crosswalks, etc.
- Air traffic control
- Everyday trade – most businesses have a computerized cash register that communicates directly with banks. Many businesses are also reliant on scanning bar codes for inventory control and pricing. Point-of-sale systems would be down and people would not be able to pay using credit or debit cards.
- Telecommunications systems can be affected if cell towers are disabled or if the landline system were directly attacked. As more people rely on VOIP, taking down internet service would serve a dual purpose.
- SMART systems could be shut down or manipulated. All of those gadgets that automate climate control, use of utilities, or appliances through SMART technology are vulnerable.
Here’s a video from NATO that explains a little bit more about the dangers of cyberattacks.
Prepping to survive a cyber attack
Prepping for a cyberattack is not that different from prepping for other types of disasters that affect the grid. You want to be able to operate independently of public utilities, stores, or public transportation.
Click each item to learn more details.
- Have a supply of water stored in case municipal supplies are tainted or shut down
- Be prepared for an extended power outage. Check out this e-book for more in-depth information.
- Have a food supply on hand, as well as a way to prepare your food without the grid.
- Keep cash in small denominations on hand in the event that credit cards, debit cards, and ATMs are inoperable.
- Keep vehicles above halfway full of fuel, and store extra gasoline.
- Be prepared for off-grid sanitation needs.
- Invest in some communications devices like ham radio or one of these other options.
- Be ready to hunker down at home to avoid the chaos that could come in the aftermath of a massive cyber attack. Be prepared to defend your home if necessary.
- Remember that your prepper supplies and skills will see you through this disaster just like any other.
- Protect your identity with a service like LifeLock (which will alert you to suspicious activity once things return to normal). Use some of these tips to keep your information locked down.
What do you think?
So, let’s hear from the “hive mind” of the preparedness community.
How likely do you think it is that we’ll be hit by a massive cyberattack? Have recent events been some kind of test run? What about this year’s Cyber Polygon focused on the supply chain? What other effects do you think a massive cyber attack might have? Do you have any additional preparedness tips for such an event? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Source: The Organic Prepper
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, globe-trotting blogger. She publishes content about current events, preparedness, and the pursuit of liberty on her website, The Organic Prepper. On her new website, The Frugalite, she shares thrifty tips and solutions to help people get a handle on their personal finances. She is widely republished across alternative media and she curates all the most important news links on her aggregate site, PreppersDailyNews.com. Daisy is the best-selling author of 5 traditionally published books and runs a small digital publishing company. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Gab, MeWe, Parler, Instagram, and Twitter.
