I know what you’re thinking. Dogs like our little Joey don’t need the internet much less use computers or smartphones. But that could change anytime soon. We’ve seen lots of photos and videos circulating online of these furry friends somewhat using computers. Also, there have been attempts to build computers specifically for dog use. If the scientists behind this project succeed, we’ll probably see animals using the internet soon after. And if by any chance the internet breaks down, us hoomans will not be the only ones howling in anger and disbelief.
The fall of the internet does not bode well for everyone, especially humans who have been too reliant on the World Wide Web. But what exactly would happen if the internet breaks down?
The internet is a network of computer networks that spans the whole world. Basically everyone, save for the Sentinelese and other uncontacted or lost tribes, will be affected by its collapse. If a part or section of the internet goes offline, the data for a file you downloaded or a message you sent, will go through a different path to reach its destination. In other words, the internet will remain functional if only a section goes offline. However, there’s a possibility that data related to the affected section of the internet may be lost. Despite this, the internet, in general, should still be functional.
Possible Reasons Behind the Collapse of the Internet
Despite the importance of internet nowadays, they remain susceptible to collapse. Below are some of the reasons why the internet could break down. And no, the list does not include any of the Kardashian sisters.
Solar Flares
According to CNN, here are four major ways the internet will break down. First, the uncertainty of space. There are lots of things going on in space that we have only scratched the surface when it comes to knowledge beyond our world. However, we already know that the sun can affect man-made satellites. The Galaxy IV, along with satellites from other countries, spun out of control all of a sudden while floating around 35,000 kilometers from the Earth. The culprit? Solar flares.
During this time, pagers went awry while TV and radio networks went down. Direct PC Internet also stopped functioning. This happened in 1998. In 1859, a massive solar flare disrupted telegraph services in America and Europe. In 1989, a minor solar eruption caused a blackout in Quebec and affected the Toronto stock market.
With almost everything now linked to the internet, another major solar flare may have a worldwide catastrophic effect.
Cyber Attacks
Warfare has shifted to people behind desks pushing buttons on computers or something similar to that. We’ve also seen an increase in hackers doing their thing and shutting down services in exchange for Bitcoins or whatever criminals are demanding these days.
An internet breakdown is definitely something that is possible through cyberwarfare. It may just be a matter of time before someone, who has nothing better to do or is sponsored by a certain nation or evil corporation, will come up with a virus that would prove unstoppable and ironically end up killing the internet completely.
Kill Switch
Some governments like to play killjoy by hitting the kill switch for the internet. In the United States government, senators in the Homeland Security committee wanted the president to have access to an internet kill switch. Fortunately, the provision was later removed. Other countries are not that fortunate.
Iran temporarily pulled the plug on the internet in 2010 because of riots after the elections. For 45 minutes, the nation was without internet while the government supposedly filtered Twitter, YouTube, and other websites. A year later, The Egyptian government shut down the country’s four biggest internet service providers (ISPs) during the January 25 Revolution. The Chinese government, meanwhile, has been vying for control of the internet by having their own kill switch.
Cable Slicing
The internet is dependent on cables, particularly a huge network of fiber-optic ones on the ocean floor. If these networks of cables are destroyed, almost all forms of communication, including telephones and the internet, will fall. This is exactly what happened in 2008. A series of attacks were conducted in which major undersea cables were cut affecting communication and internet services in several Middle Eastern countries including India, Egypt, Iran, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Disasters
The CNN article failed to mention the possible effects of a major natural disaster to the internet. During strong typhoons, earthquakes, floods and other such natural disasters, internet service may take a hit. This happened while Hurricane Sandy was pounding the United States as servers were down during the storm.
Man-made disasters can also cause an internet breakdown. A nuclear attack, for example, will possibly bring down infrastructures necessary for internet to function.
Possible Effects of An Internet Collapse and How to Prepare for Them
Unless you’re a brilliant engineer or something, there’s little you can do to help fix what caused the internet collapse. Simple citizens like us can only prepare for the possible repercussions.
Down Communication Lines
One of the possible casualties of an internet breakdown is the communication lines. What can you do when you can’t Facetime your friends or family?
Provided that the cellular network is still up, communication should still be possible since you can still use your smartphones. However, there is a high possibility of the telecommunication grid to collapse along with the internet networks. Just in case, stock up on extra battery packs, powerbanks, and solar chargers.
The best you can do before an internet and telecommunication collapse is to invest on communication tools that don’t depend on them. Two-way radios, CB radios, HAM radios are just some of the effective ways you can communicate even if the internet is down.
If the problem persists for quite some time, some skills may also come in handy. Learn how to send messages and SOS signals using a mirror, flashlights, whistle, flags, fire, smoke, and Morse codes.
Power Outage
Lots, if not all, companies depend on the internet to keep things working. If internet is down, it’s easy to think that these companies will find it harder to continue or function. In fact, it is likely that many of them will simply shut down. This includes power companies.
Prepare for this catastrophic event by stocking up on alternative power sources such as generators. You can gather geothermal energy, solar energy, biomass energy, wind energy, and hydroelectric energy. Another viable option is to use fossil fuels, though this is not quite nice for the environment.
Economic Collapse
Another potential result of the internet breaking down is an economic collapse. The most logical effect of economic fallout is the skyrocketing prices of goods or lack thereof. The ripple effect of an internet collapse will definitely affect the food supply chain.
Your best move is to fill up your prepper pantry with food, water and other supplies. Make sure you stock up on goods that have a long shelf life. You should also learn a thing or two about growing or raising your own food.
Don’t forget to hoard formula and baby food if you have an infant as well as pet food for your trusted companions. If you have children, make sure you have their favorite treats to help them calm down during stressful times.
Medical Needs
Despite the importance of hospitals and other medical institutions, they may not be that prepared for the extended absence of the internet. Medical professionals may still be capable of extending help to the needy though they need the internet to get new information or do research on the cases they are handling.
Most medical devices can probably still be functional. However, hospitals may have a problem with medical supplies. The immediate effect would be on the inventory and the purchasing and fulfillment of orders. Like food, production of these medical supplies may take a hit if the internet doesn’t come back soon enough.
Make sure you have a first aid kit at home. You should also have one in your car and in each bug out bag. Get some training so you don’t have to depend on doctors and hospitals to take care of your own.
Increase in Crime and Violence
Other possible ripple effects of an internet collapse are rioting, looting and other criminal acts. Your ultimate goal is to protect your family. Start by fortifying your home. Make your home less attractive to thieves. Post “Beware of Dogs” signs. Trim trees and bushes so they don’t provide cover for the intruders. Install automatic lights in strategic places.
Upgrade your defences by installing a security system and securing all possible entrances such as doors, windows, and the garage door. Don’t leave anything thieves can use against you such as ladders and tools. Once violence erupts, do some last-minute fortifying and assign people on guard duty.
It’s also important you know how to defend yourself. Have everyone know martial arts or self defense tactics. You should also keep firearms and other weapons in your home. More importantly, you should know how to use them.
When the internet breaks down, there’s nothing you can do but wait until things go back to normal. There’s no guarantee, however, that it will be fixed in time or if it will ever be fixed. As mentioned, the only way you can survive this unfortunate event is to be prepared.
Visit The Gentleman Pirate for more ways to prepare for emergency situations such as this. Remember, prepping is not just about being ready for one particular disaster such as an internet collapse. You have to be ready for every disastrous or apocalyptic scenario you can think of.
If you have thoughts regarding what to do when the internet breaks down or anything about the topic, feel free to share them in the comment section below.
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