How cyber attacks could affect cruises and personal plans?

[Snowwhyt]

This is not a “the sky is falling” post, just how to prepare for cyber concerns. I’m thinking we are not going to have any issues on the ship but possibly at the ports with American phones or banking. I’m sure Disney can find a way to charge me for bingo and the drink of the day.
But the US government was previously able to trace cyber attacks to Russia. US worked with Russia to stop some of those attacks and get the ransom back. Pretty sure those unscrupulous individuals will take advantage of this climate.
How would a prudent person mitigate future risk that might come up during the trip.
For example:
• Book a car in case airlines flights were canceled.
• Bring extra cash because credit/banks were down.
I probably would be less concerned if my cruise was not visiting Europe/NATO areas that have sanctions on Russia. (P.S. No plans going to Russia or Ukraine)

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Not to downplay your concerns, but you'd be horrified by the groups who are constantly doing cyber attacks, 24/7/365. It's far from just Russians and it's not likely to matter that developments have escalated in Europe in the past day or 2. Many have no political ties or agenda - they do it for the money or for the challenge. You should keep your ears open, but go enjoy your cruise - unless you opt to not go. But you could just as easily be impacted by a hacker at home as you could on the cruise ship. Just my opinion.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Not to downplay your concerns, but you'd be horrified by the groups who are constantly doing cyber attacks, 24/7/365. It's far from just Russians and it's not likely to matter that developments have escalated in Europe in the past day or 2. Many have no political ties or agenda - they do it for the money or for the challenge. You should keep your ears open, but go enjoy your cruise - unless you opt to not go. But you could just as easily be impacted by a hacker at home as you could on the cruise ship. Just my opinion.

I figure the impact at home is a little easier to handle than if I was in a different country. Those two things I mentioned above were the only ones I thought would really affect me on a vacation. Although I have no idea what I would do if I was stranded in Italy trying to get back to the US because of flight problems.

 

[Intr3pid]

Although I have no idea what I would do if I was stranded in Italy trying to get back to the US because of flight problems.

I suppose we can't do much worse than having some extra time in Italy in summer.

 

[DCLMP]

I figure the impact at home is a little easier to handle than if I was in a different country. Those two things I mentioned above were the only ones I thought would really affect me on a vacation. Although I have no idea what I would do if I was stranded in Italy trying to get back to the US because of flight problems.

If it's an EMP I don't think you'll be going on a cruise. I assume the kind of cyber-attacks you are referring to are not of the basement hacker variety.

 

[princesscinderella]

This is one of my favorite quotes I think about when the noise of all the doom and gloom from the media gets to be too much.

I am an old man and have known a great many
troubles, but most of them never happened
-Mark Twain

I’m all about preparation but sometimes you just have to tune out all the what ifs and just live like there’s no tomorrow.

 

[DCLMP]

This is one of my favorite quotes I think about when the noise of all the doom and gloom from the media gets to be too much.

I am an old man and have known a great many
troubles, but most of them never happened
-Mark Twain

I’m all about preparation but sometimes you just have to tune out all the what ifs and just live like there’s no tomorrow.

I agree with you, but some of the flippant comments are hilarious. Any cyber-attack that Russia or the US would do would cause death and suffering. It's basically an act of war. It's a little more than your flight being canceled or credit card not working. Worrying about your cruise vacation during all of this just feels wrong to me.

 

[tvguy]

This is one of my favorite quotes I think about when the noise of all the doom and gloom from the media gets to be too much.

I would argue much of the doom and gloom is from sources OTHER than the media, like social media.

 

[Snowwhyt]

If it's an EMP I don't think you'll be going on a cruise. I assume the kind of cyber-attacks you are referring to are not of the basement hacker variety.

Sorry don’t know what a EMP is, so maybe? Actually I’m thinking Russia basement hackers could be one part of the problem. Didn’t they cause a problem less than a year ago? And Biden told Russia to find and stop them? Pretty sure they assume their own government would not stop them now anymore and see it as a victimless crime.
I’m thinking any cyber hacking can be a problem just depends on if we need the hacked business or government agency. So just trying to prepare with whatever document, etc., that could be helpful.

We can only deal with the cards we are given. But helps if you understand the rules.
And as much as I would like to make a plan for World peace, I can barely plan my weekend without complications. But I still want World peace.

 

[DCLMP]

Sorry don’t know what a EMP is, so maybe? Actually I’m thinking Russia basement hackers could be one part of the problem. Didn’t they cause a problem less than a year ago? And Biden told Russia to find and stop them? Pretty sure they assume their own government would not stop them now anymore and see it as a victimless crime.
I’m thinking any cyber hacking can be a problem just depends on if we need the hacked business or government agency. So just trying to prepare with whatever document, etc., that could be helpful.

We can only deal with the cards we are given. But helps if you understand the rules.
And as much as I would like to make a plan for World peace, I can barely plan my weekend without complications. But I still want World peace.

I wouldn't worry about basement Russia hackers, but maybe you should research what an EMP is and what a major cyber attack by Russia could look like. A major cyberattack would cause death and great suffering that is why it's considered an act of war. It's better to be prepared and nothing happens than to not be prepared and it does happen. I'm not trying to freak you out just trying to help.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Although I have no idea what I would do if I was stranded in Italy trying to get back to the US because of flight problems.

This happened to me in 2001. I was on holiday in New York when the planes hit and I was stranded for 5 days. September 11 was supposed to be my last day in New York, we had checked out of our hotel and we due to go to JFK in the afternoon for an evening flight back to Europe.

Our phones did not work and we had no internet access. My family sent money through Western Union and contacted my credit card to get an emergency extension. I managed to get the room we had checked out of back, as on September 11 , the island of Manhattan was sealed off and no one could get in. I also went to the Irish Embassy in New York and made sure I was registered as a foreign national in New York.

When something major happens, like a terrorist attack and you get caught in the middle as a tourist, you just cope and deal with it. One thing I learnt is that things will happen when you travel , things that you can't plan for and have no control over. Stressing about the what if and oh god, maybe that will happen does no good. You have to just live and do and if things happen, they happen and you will find a way to deal with it.

 

[princesscinderella]

I would argue much of the doom and gloom is from sources OTHER than the media, like social media.

I don’t know what news you watch but my local and the ABC nightly news that I watch is full of stories of bad things happening to people and the world (hence doom and gloom). There’s usually only one or two good news stories mixed in.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Sorry don’t know what a EMP is, so maybe? Actually I’m thinking Russia basement hackers could be one part of the problem. Didn’t they cause a problem less than a year ago? And Biden told Russia to find and stop them? Pretty sure they assume their own government would not stop them now anymore and see it as a victimless crime.
I’m thinking any cyber hacking can be a problem just depends on if we need the hacked business or government agency. So just trying to prepare with whatever document, etc., that could be helpful.

We can only deal with the cards we are given. But helps if you understand the rules.
And as much as I would like to make a plan for World peace, I can barely plan my weekend without complications. But I still want World peace.

They did cause a problem-they shut down the Colonial Pipeline-for 6 days. Serious. Hackers shutdown Kronos-a payroll system. it has been shutdown for weeks. This is what worries me the most. The cyberattacks. They can be very disruptive. From flights, to banking and energy systems. I think this situation bears carefully monitoring. I am positive Disney is watching carefully as well. No need to panic or endlessly worry, but to be aware that this is something that could be possible. And pray for the people of Ukraine. Who just want to live their lives in peace.

 

[DisneYE]

I wouldn't worry about basement Russia hackers, but maybe you should research what an EMP is and what a major cyber attack by Russia could look like. A major cyberattack would cause death and great suffering that is why it's considered an act of war. It's better to be prepared and nothing happens than to not be prepared and it does happen. I'm not trying to freak you out just trying to help.

Russia has a professional army of hackers, not officially under their command but certainly sanctioned by them.
Remember the colonial pipeline hack last year? it was a minor hack and it caused major disruptions to the supply of gas. it lasted for several days. they were Russian 'basement' hackers.
If Putin wants to unleash a cyber attack, the colonial hack would look like child's play.
EMP? yeah that's a scary thing that would disrupt society in ways we can't even begin to imagine. I hope it never gets to that, but cyber and EMP are tools a tyrant would use if he feels cornered. There were rumors that if Russia was banned from the SWIFT banking system, it would consider that an act of war. That's why Europe is opposed to the ban, they'd be attacked instantly.

 

[DCLMP]

Russia has a professional army of hackers, not officially under their command but certainly sanctioned by them.
Remember the colonial pipeline hack last year? it was a minor hack and it caused major disruptions to the supply of gas. it lasted for several days. they were Russian 'basement' hackers.
If Putin wants to unleash a cyber attack, the colonial hack would look like child's play.
EMP? yeah that's a scary thing that would disrupt society in ways we can't even begin to imagine. I hope it never gets to that, but cyber and EMP are tools a tyrant would use if he feels cornered. There were rumors that if Russia was banned from the SWIFT banking system, it would consider that an act of war. That's why Europe is opposed to the ban, they'd be attacked instantly.

I'm sure both sides have weapons and the ability to do things we are not even aware of. One thing I've learned over the last two years is to never underestimate world leader's ability to screw things up.

 

[DCLMP]

I don’t know what news you watch but my local and the ABC nightly news that I watch is full of stories of bad things happening to people and the world (hence doom and gloom). There’s usually only one or two good news stories mixed in.

I only turn on the news when something major is happening and only to see what narrative they are pushing.

 

[mmouse37]

Want to know what could happen with an EMP hit check out the book One Second After. I read it and was horrified. Its fiction but certainly could happen. We think we live in a civilized world but it only takes a few days without our creature comforts and basic needs to turn us into barbarians. I always chuckled at Doomsday Preppers but now can certainly see their point!

A post-apocalyptic thriller of the after effects in the United States after a terrifying terrorist attack using electromagnetic pulse weapons.

New York Times best selling author William R. Forstchen now brings us a story which can be all too terrifyingly real...a story in which one man struggles to save his family and his small North Carolina town after America loses a war, in one second, a war that will send America back to the Dark Ages...A war based upon a weapon, an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP). A weapon that may already be in the hands of our enemies.

Months before publication, One Second After has already been cited on the floor of Congress as a book all Americans should read, a book already being discussed in the corridors of the Pentagon as a truly realistic look at a weapon and its awesome power to destroy the entire United States, literally within one second. It is a weapon that the Wall Street Journal warns could shatter America. In the tradition of On the Beach, Fail Safe and Testament, this book, set in a typical American town, is a dire warning of what might be our future...and our end.

 

[hrhdhd]

I'm still reeling from the cream cheese shortage.

https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/01/cream-cheese-shortage-cyber-attack.html

 

[DisneYE]

Want to know what could happen with an EMP hit check out the book One Second After. I read it and was horrified. Its fiction but certainly could happen. We think we live in a civilized world but it only takes a few days without our creature comforts and basic needs to turn us into barbarians. I always chuckled at Doomsday Preppers but now can certainly see their point!

A post-apocalyptic thriller of the after effects in the United States after a terrifying terrorist attack using electromagnetic pulse weapons.

New York Times best selling author William R. Forstchen now brings us a story which can be all too terrifyingly real...a story in which one man struggles to save his family and his small North Carolina town after America loses a war, in one second, a war that will send America back to the Dark Ages...A war based upon a weapon, an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP). A weapon that may already be in the hands of our enemies.

Months before publication, One Second After has already been cited on the floor of Congress as a book all Americans should read, a book already being discussed in the corridors of the Pentagon as a truly realistic look at a weapon and its awesome power to destroy the entire United States, literally within one second. It is a weapon that the Wall Street Journal warns could shatter America. In the tradition of On the Beach, Fail Safe and Testament, this book, set in a typical American town, is a dire warning of what might be our future...and our end.

That book is riveting. I read it about 10 years ago when I was more care free and optimistic about life & there were no major conflicts (or a pandemic) going on... I couldn't read it today, it's that upsetting.
I wouldn't suggest it to ppl prone to depression or mood swings.

 

[LambertLion]

That book is riveting. I read it about 10 years ago when I was more care free and optimistic about life & there were no major conflicts (or a pandemic) going on... I couldn't read it today, it's that upsetting.
I wouldn't suggest it to ppl prone to depression or mood swings.

I’ve never read the book but am very familiar with the tech and potential damage an EMP attack could do to the US. We Live in a world of tech and electricity. Any unprotected infrastrure would be fried and would take months to get back up. In that time, likely 2/3 of the country would starve to death as we can’t support 300+ million people without the vast connected supply chain we have running. It would be a slow and terrible end to our society as we know it. So let’s do all we can to prevent that!

To the OP original post, go and have a good time, but stay at “yellow” alert, especially when traveling abroad, but it’s something we should do at all times anyway. Dont over worry, bc you’ll never have a good time worrying about all the things that could go wrong, but it never hurts to have backup plans in place to mitigate risk. Keeping cash or traveler’s checks on hand when traveling. Knowing where your embassy is located and how to get there in case cell network is spotty. Not advertising yourself as Americans to draw unwanted attention to yourselves. Basic items like these are fairly easy to do, and can help if something goes bad, but like I said, dont ruin your trip or over worry your children for low likely of something going wrong. Be safe, stay situationally aware and enjoy your travels!