Is Cyberwarfare Fiction?

An anonymous reader writes "In response to calls by Russia and the UN for a 'cyberwarfare arms limitation treaty,' this article explains that 'cyberwar' and 'cyberweapons' are fiction. The conflicts between nation states in cyberspace are nothing like warfare, and the tools hackers use are nothing like weapons. Putting 'cyber' in front of something is just a way for people to grasp technical concepts. The analogies quickly break down, and are useless when taken too far (such as a 'cyber disarmament treaty').'"

Comments

Re:Maybe not today but in the future.

[Buelldozer]

You are years behind. Pacemakers with remote connectivity began being installed in 1999 and DefCon addressed the issue back in '08.

http://venturebeat.com/2008/08/08/defcon-excuse-me-while-i-turn-off-your-pacemaker/

Welcome to a brave new world, one where your pacemaker can be disabled or instructed to deliver a fatal shock to your heart...remotely.

Re:Cyber warfare: FUD for vendors.

[corbettw]

Maybe, but probably not: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_pipeline_sabotage#Hoax.3F