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Could the Internet Be Taken Down In 30 Minutes?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the millions-of-voices-suddenly-cried-out-in-terror dept.

GhostX9 writes "Tom's Hardware recently interviewed Dino A. Dai Zovi, a former member of Sandia National Labs' IDART (the guys who test the security of national agencies). Although most of the interview is focused on personal computer security, they asked him about L0pht's claim in 1998 if the Internet could still be taken down in 30 minutes given the advances on both the security and threat sides. He said that the risk was still true."

13 of 289 comments (clear)

  1. All it needs is a giant Slashdotting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just visit url://internet

    1. Re:All it needs is a giant Slashdotting by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 5, Funny

      Firefox tells me it doesn't understand URLs. I'd better just stick to HTTPs.

  2. Re:true by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In 30 minutes?

    You're doing it wrong.

  3. Re:nah. by interkin3tic · · Score: 5, Funny

    Actually, this is exactly what it's supposed to survive.

    Well, I'm reasonably certain my computer can't withstand a nuclear attack, and I don't think most porn stars are radiation-resistant, so it's really trivial to me whether or not there is still an internet after a nuclear war.

  4. Depends on who you ask... by imajinarie · · Score: 5, Funny

    According to my parents and people in my office, the Internet is occasionally down for several hours at a time. Fortunately, they have the ability to reboot it when necessary.

  5. Re:Is this news?? by myVarNamesAreTooLon · · Score: 5, Funny

    All it would take is the right cables to be cut for the internet to go down. Perhaps with a rented backhoe even.

    A single backhoe might have some trouble getting the entire internet in 30 minutes. What's the top speed on those things?

  6. Re:nah. by ParanoiaBOTS · · Score: 5, Funny

    OK, then what about by a Cylon invasion? (Which of course, would begin with a nuclear strike.) I doubt that our toaster children would have any trouble with Mccafree or Norton products.

    In my experience if we did have a Cylon invasion McAfee and Norton may be our ONLY defense. Upload it and watch as they can no longer function

  7. I am ready for the DNS takedown! by belloc1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have all my most important sites IP addresses written on Post It notes all over my wall.

    Bring it!

  8. Ask my girlfriend . . . by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 5, Funny

    . . . she accuses me of "turning off" or "breaking the Internet" at least once a day.

    That's the power that you get with 57 levels of Slashdot Achievements. A big switch labeled "Internet On/Off."

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  9. Re:nah. by freyyr890 · · Score: 5, Funny

    OK, then what about by a Cylon invasion? (Which of course, would begin with a nuclear strike.) I doubt that our toaster children would have any trouble with Mccafree or Norton products.

    In my experience if we did have a Cylon invasion McAfee and Norton may be our ONLY defense. Upload it and watch as they can no longer function

    You're horrible. Not even the Cylons deserve Norton and McAfee.

  10. Re:NAH by BarryJacobsen · · Score: 5, Funny

    If Family Guy has taught me anything, it's that everyone should go to the nearest Twinkie factory in the event of a nuclear holocaust.

    If Family Guy has taught you anything, then may god have mercy on us all.

    --
    Track your TV Shows with your iPhone - FREE
  11. Re:Yes by rpmayhem · · Score: 5, Funny

    root@internet# shutdown -c "I'm still reading slashdot you insensitive clod!"

  12. Re:nah. by peragrin · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm saving my copy of windows ME just for the cylon revolt.

    --
    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.