• bhmnscmm@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    I understand that the US is likely vulnerable to cyber attack, but is a widespread attack by China likely in the immediate future?

    I mean, let’s say China does disable infrastructure, banking, etc in a coordinated and widespread attack. But then what? An attack on that scale is an act of war, and I doubt China would be willing to follow up with military action at this time.

    Perhaps this is more of a preventive MAD type strategy? Essentially a warning to the US to not mess with China, or else these are the consequences.

      • GraniteM@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Let us face squarely the paradox that the world which goes to war is a world, usually genuinely desiring peace. War is the outcome, not mainly of evil intentions, but on the whole of good intentions which miscarry or are frustrated. It is made not usually by evil men knowing themselves to be wrong, but is the outcome of policies pursued by good men usually passionately convinced that they are right.

        —Norman Angell, author of The Great Illusion

    • jqubed@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      I think a lot of American planners expect the next war to be against China more than Russia, most likely as part of efforts to reclaim Taiwan militarily. Whether that actually happens or not, China seems to be trying to build a military that can win against the U.S., either by matching strengths or some more asymmetric means. I think I saw a story recently that China was constructing mockups of American navy ships in a desert that seem to be for war gaming, as an example.

      • shalafi@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Had a long talk with a very intelligent, young, Navy SIGINT guy last New Years. He’s been out there, intercepting and working on signal intelligence. Basically said, “China is the enemy, and they’re far more able and serious than you think. Can’t say much more, take it or leave it.”

      • WanderingVentra@lemm.ee
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        8 months ago

        Idk if Taiwan would be worth the war, at least not more than supplying Ukraine who’s fighting Russia, which has done way more damage to our country recently. We need to catch up on our local chip manufacturing capabilities fast first, though.

        • jaybone@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          Right after they had that Asia pacific summit in SF, suddenly there was very little news about threats to Taiwan, and there was a lot of news about new chip manufacturing setting up in like Arizona and Utah or something. Which makes me think we are going to let China take Taiwan.

    • Hegar@kbin.social
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      8 months ago

      No, it’s not likely at all unless we get into an open conflict. Then cyber warfare will be just one arena of conflict. But I think most estimates are that that would be disastrous for us, china and the world so it’s unlikely for now.

      It’s way more likely that the fbi want more money or are repeating some talking point to push an agenda or as a political favor.

    • sheogorath@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      That being said, if America ever plunges into a civil war it would be the best time for them to cripple the US infrastructure and do anything they want to Taiwan and SEA while having the US consumed in an infighting.

    • pop@lemmy.ml
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      8 months ago

      Do you know anything about cyber security or are just passionate because you get to talk about war. If China were to coordinate an widespread attack, do you think it is as simple as the attack will come straight from the computer in the CCP headquarters and you go in to save the day?

      Do you have any idea of how many outdated, unsecured, vulnerable devices (most of them made in China) could be used around the world just to have a plausible deniability. Ever heard of phishing? It could have come from your friend’s email and you could be the one that’s spreading the worm. And it would take months to trace it back to China. These are not script kiddies you see on the movies.

      Start Air gaping critical infrastructure from the internet instead of dreaming about hypothetical wars.

      • bhmnscmm@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Did you reply to the wrong comment? I don’t think my comment is really related the points you’ve brought up.

        • HATEFISH@midwest.social
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          8 months ago

          I think the point they were trying to make was that China would have plausible deniablity based on where the attacks could be initially traced to.¯\_(ツ)_/¯