For years, global cybersecurity alerts have been issued to safeguard a variety of devices—ranging from personal computers and smartphones to servers and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Yet, there is a new and unsettling warning gaining traction within tech and intelligence circles: China may soon launch a sophisticated cyber attack targeting the submarine cables beneath the South China Sea, potentially causing a massive global internet disruption.
This alarming prediction comes amid the ongoing and escalating trade conflict between the United States and China, which shows no signs of abating. Experts are raising the stakes, suggesting that tensions between the two superpowers could soon spill over into the digital realm, with catastrophic consequences for global internet infrastructure.
The Emerging Threat: Cyber Attacks on Undersea Cables
Submarine cables, or undersea cables, are the backbone of the global internet. These cables run across the ocean floors, connecting continents and enabling the seamless transfer of data across borders. They are critical to modern communication, supporting everything from everyday internet browsing to financial transactions and global commerce.
According to recent reports, China might possess the capability to launch an advanced cyber attack targeting these very cables. This threat has been brought to public attention by Athos Salome, a Brazilian futurist and self-proclaimed “Living Nostradamus,” who has become known for his eerily accurate predictions about global events. Salome has warned that China may have a “secret tool” that could trigger a worldwide internet meltdown—affecting the entire planet’s ability to communicate and access information in real-time.
Salome, who gained attention after predicting the COVID-19 pandemic, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, claims that China has developed two highly classified weapons that could cripple the global internet infrastructure:
a.) A software tool capable of manipulating or blocking traffic that flows through submarine internet cables. This would essentially cause severe disruptions in internet services, not just in China, but globally, especially in the West where most major cable connections traverse through Asia.
b.) A seismic tool designed to physically damage undersea cables, potentially severing them at depths exceeding 4,000 meters. This kind of physical sabotage would result in the destruction of key internet communication links, plunging major regions into digital isolation.
Why is This Threat So Significant?
Salome’s warnings have stirred up considerable concern within cybersecurity and geopolitical circles. The very nature of this threat makes it especially daunting. A disruption to the global undersea cable network would not only affect internet speeds but could also bring entire countries to a halt, severing their digital ties with the rest of the world.
In today’s interconnected world, the repercussions of cutting off a nation or a region from the internet would be staggering. Critical sectors such as banking, trade, defense, healthcare, and even government services depend on the stable flow of digital data. Any deliberate disruption of the global internet could lead to economic chaos, geopolitical instability, and potentially catastrophic consequences for national security.
Furthermore, the Asian region is home to some of the most vital internet cables, with key points of connectivity passing through areas influenced or controlled by China. The disruption of these cables would have ripple effects worldwide, causing widespread outages and slowing down global communication.
The Geopolitical Context: A Potential Hybrid Warfare Scenario
Athos Salome also alluded to a darker possibility: the use of these tools in the context of hybrid warfare. Hybrid warfare refers to a blend of conventional military tactics with cyber and information warfare, often used to destabilize a country or region without direct military confrontation. Salome suggested that while these tools are ostensibly designed for civilian applications, they could easily be adapted for military use, allowing China to wage a “digital war” without firing a single shot.
The possibility of China leveraging its technological prowess to disrupt the global communication infrastructure has drawn comparisons to the cold war-era tensions, where nations wielded various tools—both military and non-military—to exert influence and control. In this modern age, however, the tools of warfare are increasingly digital, and the battlefield could be just as much in cyberspace as it is in the physical world.
Should We Be Concerned?
Given the increasing complexity of global politics and the volatility of international relations, it is not unreasonable to consider the potential consequences of this emerging threat. If left unchecked, tensions between China and the West could escalate further, potentially resulting in a cyber cold war. And while some dismiss these prophecies as alarmist, the fact remains that nations, including China, have been investing heavily in both cyber warfare capabilities and the control of critical digital infrastructure—such as submarine cables.
Salome’s warning raises an important question: How prepared is the global community for such an attack? While many countries have robust cyber defense mechanisms in place, the targeting of undersea cables would present an unprecedented challenge.
This is not merely a hypothetical scenario. In recent years, there have been several incidents of physical damage to undersea cables, often caused by natural events such as underwater earthquakes or accidental damage from fishing vessels or anchors. However, a deliberate attack on this scale—whether through cyber means or physical destruction—would be a game-changer in the modern geopolitical landscape.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call
Whether or not Salome’s predictions are entirely accurate, they serve as a powerful reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in our digital age. The warning about China’s alleged “invisible war tool” should not be ignored, as it highlights the increasingly fragile state of global internet infrastructure. As the geopolitical situation continues to evolve, it is critical that nations around the world strengthen their cyber defense strategies, ensuring that they are prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
If nothing else, the rise in cyber threats underscores the need for greater international cooperation and vigilance. The internet is no longer a passive resource; it is a vital element of national security. And as the world becomes more digitized, ensuring its protection will be one of the defining challenges of the 21st century.
The post Cyber Threat to submarine cables in China Sea first appeared on Cybersecurity Insiders.
The post Cyber Threat to submarine cables in China Sea appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.
April 10, 2025 at 10:32AM
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