Proactive Protection: Decoding the Government's (and Netflix) Cyberattack Warnings and Building Your Personal Defense Line
They always tell you what they are going to do before they do it. They, meaning the politicians, world organizations such as the WHO & IMF, ‘experts’, & unelected ‘leaders’ of the Davos crowd. The executed plan surprise outbreak of COVID-19 was telegraphed at least since 2017.
Dr. Fauci talked about a “surprise disease outbreak” several years before it came to life:
“Trump administration will not only be challenged by ongoing global health threats such as influenza and HIV, but also a surprise disease outbreak.” Fauci's remarks came during a forum on pandemic preparedness at Georgetown University held January 10, 2017. USA Today
Event 201 Participants at John’s Hopkins
Event 201 was a tabletop exercise regarding a worldwide pandemic which took place on October 18, 2019, prior to the ‘coincidence’ that followed:
Experts agree that it is only a matter of time before one of these epidemics becomes global—a pandemic with potentially catastrophic consequences. A severe pandemic, which becomes “Event 201,” would require reliable cooperation among several industries, national governments, and key international institutions. - Event 201 Site John's Hopkins
On December 7, 2023. Tucker Carlson interviewed Alex Jones on X. Tucker asked Alex how he could predict so many things before they actually happened. Alex responded “I was going off their own battle plans.” Alex Jones does a lot of reading of the publicly available documents on websites hosted by the World Economic Forum, World Health Organization, & more. Anyone can lean what ‘they’ are planning for our future if you know where to look.
Next Up - Cyberattacks
So what are they heavily telegraphing now? Cyberattacks.
On January 18, 2021, the World Economic Forum posted a YouTube video “A cyber-attack with COVID-like characteristics?” which discussed the following:
A Cyberattack with COVID-like characteristics would spread faster & further than any biological virus
It’s reproductive rate would be around 10x greater than what we’ve experienced with the coronavirus
The 2005 Slammer Worm doubled in size approximately every 8.5 seconds, infecting over 75,000 devices in 10 minutes & almost 11 million devices in 24 hours.
Fortunately - at least until now- cyber-attacks have not impacted our health the way pandemics have but the economic impact of them have been equal and sometimes even greater.
The only way to prevent this is to fully disconnect the millions of vulnerable devices from one another & from the internet.
A single day without the internet would cost our economies more than $50 billion without considering economic & societal damages should these devices be linked to essential services such as transport or healthcare.
COVID-19 was known as an anticipated risk, so is the digital equivalent.
The video ends without providing any solutions except for disconnecting devices & expressing the need to prepare for such an event.
On July 9, 2021, there was a Cyber Polygon event which had the World Economic Forum’s Klaus Schwab & the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin as Guests of Honor. Cyber Polygon combined three tracks: an online conference for the general public, technical training for corporate cybersecurity teams, & an expert track for field professionals featuring presentations by cybersecurity experts. It was an online gathering to “talk about the opportunities and challenges that technological progress brings” & the global threats that face the public & private sectors. Some topics of discussion included:
The Future of a Digital State Citizen
Challenges in the Digitalization of Government Structures
Evolution of Ecosystems in Public & Private Sectors
How to Protect the Financial System Against Inevitable Threats Posed by Technological Advances
How Could Different Stakeholders Contribute to Combating Ransomware within their Respective Remits
Supply Chain Attacks
The Role of INTERPOL in Dealing with Digital Challenges
The Role of Cybersecurity in Red Cross Activities
International Regulations on the Web
Protecting Children from Digital Threats
While discussing cybersecurity threats among professionals isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it appears these discussions haven’t resulted in much mitigation of cybersecurity threats as the world is experiencing a great uptick in hacking & malware events. This article is an interesting numerology take on the Cyber Polygon event.
Interesting Alignment of Actor’s Names in Netflix Film
On December 8, 2023, the latest ‘forecast’ if you will, was the release of a Netflix movie ‘Leave The World Behind’ which is produced by a studio owned by Barack & Michelle Obama. The movie is filled with hidden satanist symbols & racial divide undertones as its main characters experience a cyber attack/grid down style scenario.
Those were the projections on the public of what is already taking place & what is about to get worse.
Cyberattack Reality
On December 12, 2023, Ukraine experienced a major cyber attack:
A major cyberattack on Ukraine’s largest mobile operator on Tuesday disrupted a regional air raid warning service and some banking services for Ukrainians, according to the operator and local authorities.
The attack appeared to be one of the more impactful cyberattacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly two years ago. It damaged IT infrastructure at mobile operator Kyivstar, forcing the company to shut down network connections to contain the incident, CEO Oleksandr Komarov said on Ukrainian television.
Kyivstar had 24.8 million customers at the end of 2022, according to Ukrainian state information agency Ukrinform. CNN
Photo Credit:SERGEI CHUZAVKOV / AFP / Getty Images
Current Statistics for Cyberattacks Compiled by Cobalt
According to Security Magazine, there are over 2,200 attacks each day (803,000 / year) which breaks down to nearly 1 cyberattack every 39 seconds.
According to Cybint, nearly 95% of all digital breaches come from human error.
Cybercrime is predicted to cost the world $9.5 trillion USD in 2024
For the 12th year in a row, the United States has the highest cost of a data breach at $5.09M
Globally, 72.7% of all organizations fell prey to a ransomware attack in 2023
The average cost of a ransomware attack was $4.54M
In 2023, 66% of organizations reported being targeted by ransomware, with the average ransom payout rising from $812,380 in 2022 to $1,542,333
81% of organizations surveyed faced ransomware attacks 2023, and 48% paid the ransom
The construction industry was most impacted by ransomware in 2023
94% of malware is delivered over email
In 80% of the organizations where a Business Email Compromise attack occurred, no multi-factor authentication (“MFA”) solution was in place before their incident
The Asia-Pacific region was the most targeted by cyberattacks, representing 31% of all reported incidents, with Europe and North America following at 28% and 25%, respectively
97% of organizations saw an increase in cyber threats since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, demonstrating the profound effect of geopolitical tensions on cybersecurity
Healthcare Industry: There has been a 239% increase in the number of large breaches involving hacking over the last four years
The average healthcare data breach was nearly $11 million in early 2023
In the U.S., 88 million people have been affected by data breaches of their personal health information, an increase of 60% in 2023
Manufacturing: the most targeted, representing 20% of all cyber extortion campaigns.
Supply chain attacks increased by 600% in 2022
In North America, the energy sector accounts for 20% of cyberattacks
In the first quarter of 2023, we witnessed a massive 600% increase in cyber incidents targeting cryptocurrency firms, accompanied by a significant rise of 15% in HTTP DDoS attacks
Over 10.54 million IoT attacks (a malicious attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in internet-connected devices) were reported in December 2022
Preparedness Considerations
Given the aforementioned statistics & events that I’m hearing most often about, Americans should be concerned about the healthcare system, the banking system, our supply chain, & our utilities infrastructure.
Few of you may be in a position to help your agency via awareness & implementing mitigation strategies. In our personal lives, having a preparedness mindset can help us get ahead of & mitigate the effects of what is to come.
Healthcare - bring yourself as up-to-date as possible on all of your check-ups & healthcare needs.
Dental Care - get your annual check-up, bi-annual cleaning, & take care of any dental work that may be about to fail.
Medications - stock-up on generic medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, cough syrup, bandages, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, basic wound care, & first-aid supplies.
Prescriptions - ask your doctor to prescribe you an extra one month of medication for emergency purposes. If you take controlled substance or insurance limited medications, try to fill your prescription 3-4 days early & save a few pills each month.
Antibiotics via Telemedicine - you & your family may receive a whole line of customized antibiotics without leaving your home. Contingency medical makes it easy with a simple questionnaire & telemedicine appointment. They ship the antibiotics straight to your door.
Physical Fitness - make sure you are getting regular exercise & cardiovascular activity. Now is the best time to get in the best shape of your life. The strong will survive!
When sharing personal medical information with healthcare providers, consider the following:
Before sharing your information:
Understand your rights. Familiarize yourself with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and your state's privacy laws. This will give you a better understanding of your rights and protections regarding your medical data.
Choose your providers carefully. Research the security practices of your healthcare providers before sharing any sensitive information. Look for providers who are transparent about their data security measures and have a good reputation for protecting patient privacy.
Ask questions. Don't hesitate to ask your providers how they store and protect your medical information. They should be able to explain their security protocols in clear and concise terms.
When sharing your information:
Be mindful of what you share. Avoid sharing more information than is necessary for your care. For example, if you are scheduling an appointment, you may not need to disclose your entire medical history.
Use secure channels. When possible, share your medical information through secure channels, such as patient portals or encrypted email. Avoid sharing sensitive information over unsecured channels, such as regular email or text messages.
Be wary of phishing attempts. Hackers often use phishing emails or text messages to trick people into revealing their personal information. Be cautious of any unsolicited messages that ask for your medical information, and never click on suspicious links.
Additional tips:
Use strong passwords and update them regularly. This applies to your patient portal login, email accounts, and any other online accounts that contain your medical information.
Beware of public Wi-Fi. Avoid accessing your patient portal or any other sensitive information when using public Wi-Fi. Hackers can easily intercept data on unsecured networks.
Install security software. Use a reputable antivirus and anti-malware program to protect your devices from malware that could steal your medical information.
Monitor your credit report. Regularly check your credit report for any suspicious activity that could indicate identity theft.
Cellular Phone Applications - Be careful regarding which cellular phone applications you use. I use CashApp to pay the woman who does my nails. One day, I noticed several attempted charges from various medical institutions located in a multitude of locations in the midwest. In addition, I observed an order for a physical CashApp card was placed. After a few discussions with CashApp customer service & instituting Multi-Factor Authentication on the account, I was able to stop the attacks on my account.
Supply Chain Disruptions - in my last Substack article, I mentioned the Biden Administration is planning to throw a measly $35 million at preventing supply chain disruptions. At this moment, we are experiencing supply chain disruptions with a very limited number of ships being able to safely traverse two major waterways; the Panama Canal & the Red Sea.
Panama Canal - According to Panama Canal authorities, the drought requires them to reduce the number of daily transits from 29 to 25 ships and in the proceeding weeks, they will reduce vessels transits even more until it declines to 18 ships a day in February. That represents between 40%-50% of full capacity. Under normal conditions, between 34-36 vessels traversed the canal daily. The drought and vessel reductions are having a major impact on the flow of trade, according to data from CNBC Supply Chain providers.
According to Project44, shipping containers going through the Panama Canal to the U.S. East Coast are being delayed in select ports, with the Port of Charleston seeing the longest in delays. CNBC
Red Sea - Houthi militants in Yemen are escalating attacks on ships traversing the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, including for oil shipments. The Houthis have claimed ships that are linked to Israel or heading to its ports or that are passing by Yemen’s Red Sea coastline are legitimate targets. The shipping route — connecting European ports to their Asian counterparts via the Suez Canal — is a crucial passage for global commerce and among the busiest in the world. Some 8.8 million barrels of oil pass through the area each day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Washington Post
The aforementioned are natural & kinetic war disruptions. Now add cyberattack interruptions as a major kink to the supply chain like what was experienced earlier in the year with a hack Clorox causing massive shortages in Clorox Bleach & other cleaning supplies.
Software Supply Chain:
February 2023:Applied Materials: Hackers compromised a developer certificate from Applied Materials, a technology supplier for the semiconductor industry, potentially affecting downstream manufacturers.
March 2023:3CX: Attackers injected malicious code into 3CX, a popular virtual phone system platform, impacting thousands of businesses globally, including US organizations.
June 2023:MOVEit: A widespread attack exploited vulnerabilities in MOVEit, a file transfer software, infecting numerous organizations in various industries, including critical infrastructure in the US.
Business Supply Chain:
January 2023:Airbus: A cyberattack targeting an Airbus supplier disrupted production for several days, although its full impact remains unclear.
June 2023:Logistics Companies: A series of ransomware attacks impacted several US logistics companies, causing temporary disruptions to transportation and delivery services.
August 2023: Clorox: first quarter earnings in November 2023, posted a 20% decline in net sales, a $356 million decline, most of which it blamed on the cyberattack which occurred on August 14, 2023. Industry Week
How to Personally Overcome Supply Chain Disruptions -
Build a buffer of essential items: Having at a minimum several months stockpile of essential goods like food, medicine, and household supplies can help you weather unexpected disruptions.
Monitor your needs: Regularly assess your upcoming needs and anticipate potential shortages. This allows you to plan your purchases and avoid last-minute scrambling.
Invest in durable goods: Opting for well-made, long-lasting products can reduce the need for frequent replacements and minimize dependence on constantly fluctuating supply chains.
Pay Attention to war: understand which countries are at war & what their major exports are i.e. Ukraine & grain. In addition, monitor which countries are looking out for their citizens by creating massive stockpiles & banning exports like rice.
Utilities Infrastructure Attacks:
Electrical Grid - In July 2023, the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) identified 15,000 new cyber vulnerabilities in the US electrical grid so far in 2023; signaling that the system is on track to overcome the previous record of 25,000 vulnerabilities set last year.
Water Utilities: Following a recent cyberattack at a Pennsylvania water utility, federal officials have confirmed that multiple additional water utilities in the US running the same industrial equipment have been breached by hackers.
The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency briefed Senate and House staffers on the situation on Thursday, November 30, 2023, and revealed that hackers had breached computers at “less than 10” water facilities in different parts of the US, one of the sources told CNN. In each case, the equipment targeted was the same Israeli-made computer system that allows machinery to communicate at water and other industrial facilities.
The Washington Post reported that according to U.S. officials and industry security officials, the Chinese military is ramping up its ability to disrupt key American infrastructure. They’re specifically targeting power and water utilities as well as communications and transportation systems. Hackers affiliated with China’s People’s Liberation Army have hacked into the computer systems of about two dozen critical entities over the past year.
How to Personally Overcome Utilities Disruptions -
Build a preparedness kit: Gather essentials like flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, bottled water, water filtration systems, non-perishable food, and a manual can opener. Consider a battery-powered/solar/crank radio or portable phone charger for staying informed.
Identify alternatives: Have backup plans for disrupted utilities. For example, invest in a portable power bank for your phone, a battery-powered lantern for light, or a camp stove for cooking if the power goes out. Consider filling extra water jugs for drinking and sanitation in case of water shortages. Make hard copies or download important information such as maps, recipes, Wikipedia, repair manuals, emergency medical guides, & homesteading guides.
Consider the local climate: If you live in areas with all four seasons, make sure you are prepared for each season in your home that you may survive without air conditioning or heating. This may include blankets, window wraps, fans, portable alternative fuel heaters, & layers of clothing.
I will be creating an Amazon storefront this weekend to compile all of my preparedness purchases (and a nice to have wish list) that I have made over the past two years of studying the threats to our nation to give my fellow Warriors a better idea/focus of researched & effective products. Keep an eye out for it!
How to Personally Overcome Banking System Disruptions -
Build an emergency fund: Aim for at least 3-6 months' worth of living expenses to cover essential costs during periods of limited access to your bank accounts.
Diversify your financial assets: Don't keep all your eggs in one basket. Consider spreading your savings across different banks or accounts, including physical cash for immediate needs. This includes having silver, gold, & bitcoin.
Have alternative payment methods: Carry a backup credit card or debit card from a different bank in case your primary card becomes inaccessible. Explore mobile payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay for everyday transactions. Again, having tangible currency is important.
Download your bank statements: Keep digital copies of your recent bank statements readily available. This can be helpful if you need to access transaction history during a disruption.
Inform trusted contacts: Let close family members or friends know where you keep important financial documents and emergency cash in case you need assistance.
Near the end of the Alex Jones interview, he mentions cyberattacks may be how they cancel/interrupt the next United States presidential election. I wouldn’t be surprised by anything at this point. They are constantly telling you what is to come. You don’t have to be blindsided when it actually happens. Until next time, stay informed, stay vigilant, Ever Forward!