On April 27, an unknown individual or group deliberately cut crucial long-distance internet cables across multiple sites near Paris, plunging thousands of people into a connectivity blackout. The vandalism was one of the most significant internet infrastructure attacks in France\u2019s history and highlights the vulnerability of key communications technologies.<\/p>\n
Now, months after the attacks took place, French internet companies and telecom experts familiar with the incidents say the damage was more wide-ranging than initially reported and extra security measures are needed to prevent future attacks. In total, around 10 internet and infrastructure companies\u2014from ISPs to cable owners\u2014were impacted by the attacks, telecom insiders say.<\/p>\n
The assault against the internet started during the early hours of April 27. \u201cThe people knew what they were doing,\u201d says Michel Combot, the managing director of the French Telecoms Federation, which is made up of more than a dozen internet companies. In the space of around two hours, cables were surgically cut and damaged in three locations around the French capital city\u2014to the north, south, and east\u2014including near Disneyland Paris.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose were what we call backbone cables that were mostly connecting network service from Paris to other locations in France, in three directions,\u201d Combot says. \u201cThat impacted the connectivity in several parts of France.\u201d As a result, internet connections dropped out for some people. Others experienced slower connections, including on mobile networks, as internet traffic was rerouted around the severed cables.<\/p>\n
All three incidents are believed to have happened at roughly the same time and were conducted in similar ways\u2014distinguishing them from other attacks against telecom towers and internet infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n In April, a still-unknown individual or group cut internet cables near Paris, plunging thousands into a connectivity blackout. <\/p>\n Now experts say the damage was more wide-ranging than initially reported. https:\/\/t.co\/gVXiokGN8J<\/a><\/p>\n — WIRED (@WIRED) July 22, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n