Squirrel-sponsored cyberterrorism

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A squirrel on a roof
A small electrical substation in Spain

Squirrel-sponsored cyber terrorism is the hypothesis of a possible and potential threat that squirrels may pose a greater risk – to disrupting the internet and other associated online sites, infrastructure and services – than terrorists. Though a topic of commentators hoping to highlight the lighter side of the concern, squirrels have been historically consistent with their ability to cripple power grids in the US and other countries.[1][2] Some commentators imply that the cyber security concerns are notable related to squirrels and acknowledge that the topic has brought a different and humorous side to the topic.[3][4] Instances of power grid shutdowns caused by squirrels have been tabulated.[5]

Scope[edit | edit source]

Electrical disruptions caused by squirrels are common and widespread. From Memorial Day to August 31, 2013, 50 power outages caused by squirrels (POCBS) were recorded. These incidents occurred in 24 states. Some of these cities effected by POCBS were Mason City, IA, Rock City, SC, and Portland, OR.[6] Comparisons between the magnitude of the number of electrical grid shutdowns due to squirrels and actual terrorists has been highlighted in most media sources covering such events. Commentators often embellish descriptions of the squirrels responsible for interrupting electrical service as: "Squirrels mobilize, plot acts of cyber terrorism against humankind - And they're not acting alone."[7] Or "Squirrelus interruptus: 5 things shut down by squirrels - How can a squirrel bring a nuclear weapons site to its knees?"[6] Electrical grids are not the only types of infrastructure at risk from squirrels, but nuclear sites have also been described as targets of squirrel attention. Ground squirrels have interfered with underground nuclear missile sites at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. The squirrels have the ability to tunnel under fences, bypassing motion detectors. Squirrels that do take above ground routes onto the base trigger alarms. These squirrels set off thousands of false alarms each year. Like their arboreal relatives, they also have the ability to bite on electrical cables.[6]

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Preventing damage by squirrels is complicated by the ability of squirrels to bypass plastic animal guards, gnaw through insulation and squeeze through small openings substations.[8] Some utilities are beginning to prevent animals from compromising the power supply by the development of "automated switching capabilities" and other features designed to protect service disruptions caused by squirrels.[9] The damage done by squirrels consists of their chewing through wire insulation and tunneling into electrical distribution facilities.[10][11] The incident of shutting down the electrical power by a squirrel is typically fatal. It has been described as the squirrel being the conduit through which high voltages pass through to complete the circuit to the ground.[12]

Metrics[edit | edit source]

The assessment of squirrel-caused grid disruption is monitored by The American Public Power Association (APPA)[8] The APPA tracks the activities of "squirrels and their menacing habits to help utilities in the fight against squirrel-related outages." The APPA has developed a data tracker to analyze the pattern and timing of "squirrel attacks" on electrical power systems called "The Squirrel Index" (TSqI). The TSqI is a metric that quantifies the rate per 1,000 customers over a period of time. This metric has confirmed that the peak period of "squirrel activity" occurs during the warmer months. May, June, October and November are called "squirrel peaking months" (SqPMS) when most disruption occur.[13]

This is the rate per 1000 electrical customers and squirrel related outages

Analytics[edit | edit source]

"According to a survey made by One Security Expert, the real threat to critical infrastructure located around the globe is from the squirrels. It has been discovered that squirrels are causing more damage to critical infrastructure than cyber wars launched by enemy states or organizations."[14]

The successful crippling of power supplies is often blamed on the efforts of human terrorists with the intent to create damage. But "We've had power outages caused by squirrels in all 50 states," the "veteran security researcher" Space Rogue said during an interview. "That includes Hawaii, where they don't even have squirrels, but they do have chickens."[15][16] Some cyber security experts believe that the infrastructure of a country, such as the powergrid, will be the target of terrorists.

Specific cases[edit | edit source]

A squirrel took out power to Nasdaq’s automated computer in 1987. The stock exchange went without power for 90 minutes. Twenty million trades were effected.[10][17][18] Other commentators have noted that actual cyber attacks by human terrorists are much fewer than the disruption caused by squirrels.[14]

"In a July 2015 comment, John C. Inglis, former deputy director, National Security Agency, said, "I don't think paralysis [of the electrical grid] is more likely by cyberattack than by natural disaster. And, frankly, the No. 1 threat experienced to date by the US electrical grid is squirrels."[19][20] Along with squirrels, Baby-monitoring devices have also have been exposed as potential threats to cyber security.[21] Another commentator is critical of the UK press writing to highlight "the ethnic struggle between Britain’s populations of red and grey squirrels, and the latter’s demonization (as immigrants and terrorists) and threatened eradication."[22] In at least one circumstance, a physical attack by a squirrel has been characterized as a "terrorist squirrel."[23] Species indentification has not been performed in the cyber attacks, but there are over 140 species of squirrels.[24]

Similar concerns exist in Germany where in 2005, a "cyber squirrel" crippled the entire electrical grid in Elster for an hour. This squirrel was described as "a furry suicide bomber" ("pelzigen Selbstmordattentäter abgeschaltet worden").[25]

Cris Thomas have mentioned that in the United States there were 6 deaths associated with squirrel activity.[26]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ The most dangerous cyberterrorists are squirrels (January 11, 2015). Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  2. ↑ Leyden, John (November 24, 2015). Cyber-terror: How real is the threat? Squirrels are more of a danger. The Register. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  3. ↑ The Threat to America’s Electrical Grid Is Much Bigger Than You Can Possibly Imagine. The Foreign Policy Group. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  4. ↑ Envisioning the Hack That Could Take Down New York City. New York Magazine (June 6, 2016). Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  5. ↑ Map Shows Squirrel Winning Cyber War (January 8, 2016). Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hickman, Matt (October 24, 2013). Squirrelus interruptus: 5 things shut down by squirrels - How can a squirrel bring a nuclear weapons site to its knees. Mother Nature Network. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  7. ↑ Hickman, Matt (January 11, 2016). Squirrels mobilize, plot acts of cyber terrorism against humankind. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Shaver, Katherine (December 25, 2015). The bushy-tailed, nut-loving menace coming after America’s power grid. The Washington Post. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  9. ↑ Serreze, Mary C. (January 15, 2016). Can squirrels bring down the grid? Squirrel-related power outage in Easthampton part of national problem. The Republican. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Peterson, Andrea. Are squirrels a bigger threat to the power grid than hackers?. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  11. ↑ dridrive (January 15, 2016). Squirrels or Hackers: Who's the Bigger Threat to Power Grid?. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  12. ↑ Mooallemaug, Jon (August 31, 2013). Squirrel Power!. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  13. ↑ Hofmann, Alex (January 21, 2016). Power outages and the squirrel connection. American Public Power Association Official Association Blog. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Goud, Naveen (January 18, 2017). Squirrels cause more financial damage to critical Infrastructure than Cyber Attacks - Cybersecurity Insiders. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  15. ↑ Wagenseil, Paul (January 14, 2017). Worried About Cyberwar? Worry About Squirrels Instead Worried About Cyberwar? Worry About Squirrels Instead. Tom's Guide. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  16. ↑ L'écureuil: le pire ennemi en matière de cybersécurité (French). Québec Science. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  17. ↑ Wootson Jr., Cleve R.. Most cybersecurity experts are worried about Russian hackers. One says: Look, a squirrel!. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  18. ↑ Squirrel 'threat' to critical infrastructure. BBC (January 17, 2017). Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  19. ↑ Blue, Violet (March 18, 2016). America accuses Iran of hacking the dam, cyber-squirrels rejoice. Retrieved on June 8, 2017. “While America is worrying about nation states, our infrastructure is being terrorized by rodents.”
  20. ↑ Armerding, Taylor. How much at risk is the U.S.'s critical infrastructure?. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  21. ↑ Atherton, Kelsey D. (February 9, 2016). Clapper: America’s Greatest Threat Is The Internet of Things. Popular Science. Retrieved on June 8, 2017. “Encrypt toasters and win the cyberwar”
  22. ↑ Charles, Alec. The ideological dreamscape of BBC News online: the strange tale of the terror squirrel of Knutsford. Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  23. ↑ Lua error in ...ribunto/includes/engines/LuaCommon/lualib/mwInit.lua at line 23: bad argument #1 to 'old_ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
  24. ↑ A Squirrel Place Family Tree Section (December 6, 2013). Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  25. ↑ Eichhörnchen vs. the Internet (January 13, 2016). Retrieved on June 8, 2017.
  26. ↑ Sorry, hackers, but squirrels winning the cyber war - security expert (January 18, 2017). Retrieved on June 8, 2017.

External links[edit | edit source]

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