All it took was a spade like the one pictured below. How it transpired proves quite a bizarre story that we’re sure the overlords at the Kremlin have taken note of. Next time Mr. Putin decides to flex his military muscle in the region, all he might need are a few clueless senior citizens. Anyway, here’s what we know:
On March 28, a 75-year-old resident of Kasni went out scavenging for copper wire. Armed with a spade and sheer grit, the hapless grandma applied herself to the arduous task until she mistakenly severed the fiber optic cable that allows millions of users in Armenia and Azerbaijan to like people on Facebook.
If you’re thinking this was a minor boo boo, you’re thinking wrong. The spade incident wrought ‘catastrophic’ damage, effectively shutting down the internet across the region for up to 12 hours. Though damage has since been repaired, the old woman faces criminal charges for her misdeeds and perhaps a stint in the slammer.
The Impact of the Incident
The severing of the fiber optic cable had far-reaching consequences beyond just a temporary inconvenience. In today’s digital age, internet connectivity is crucial for various aspects of daily life, including communication, business operations, and access to information. The 12-hour outage affected not only social media users but also businesses, government services, and emergency response systems. This incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the potential for significant disruption from seemingly minor actions.
The incident also underscores the importance of proper infrastructure maintenance and the need for awareness among the public about the potential consequences of tampering with such systems. While the elderly woman may not have intended to cause such widespread disruption, her actions serve as a reminder of the delicate nature of modern technological networks.
Lessons Learned and Future Precautions
In the aftermath of the incident, authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan have likely taken steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This may include increased security measures around critical infrastructure, public awareness campaigns about the dangers of tampering with such systems, and improved monitoring and maintenance protocols.
Moreover, this event has likely prompted discussions at higher levels of government and industry about the resilience of internet infrastructure. Ensuring that backup systems and alternative routes are in place can help mitigate the impact of such incidents in the future. Additionally, investing in more robust and secure infrastructure can help protect against both accidental and intentional disruptions.
Having accomplished what a legion of acne-faced hackers couldn’t, the woman has already earned the nickname ‘the spade hacker.’ That’s freaking awesome. Now excuse us while we start digging in our yard in an effort to destroy modern civilization.
Source Metro
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