Reports of so-called “ransomware” cybercrime have been increasing, with stories of high-profile attacks against vital infrastructure, transportation, food production and medical facilities. A ferry system in Massachusetts, a major petroleum pipeline in the eastern U.S., as well as more than 560 healthcare facilities nationwide have been targeted. According to a recent report by National Public Radio, the U.S. suffered 65,000 ransomware attacks last year – that’s more than seven an hour.
The Director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, recently told a House Judiciary Committee hearing: “We think the cyber threat is increasing almost exponentially.” He continued, “Ransomware alone, the total volume of amounts paid in ransomware has tripled over the last year, we’re investigating 100 different ransomware variants.”
How does cybercrime work and who do they target?
The method of operation of the cyber crooks is to invade a computer system and encrypt the files thereon. They then hold up the business, organization or institution for a large payment in order to obtain a key to unlock their files. The cyberattacks have thus far primarily targeted large, deep-pocket companies and organizations. However, the effects of ransomware fraud can and will affect everyone who uses government services, public transportation, medical institutions or banking, or who consumes food and water.
What does cybercrime have to do with RVs?
You may be asking yourself: “What does this have to do with RVs?” Leaving aside for now the issue of cyber crooks hacking individuals’ computers, smartphones, household or computerized RV systems, the issue is, how can you use your RV in an emergency arising out of a large-scale cyberattack on public utilities or institutions?
First of all, your RV could well become a lifesaver if a major catastrophe occurs. That could be whether it involves the U.S. electrical grid, public utilities such as municipal water or power providers, or the food supply chain. For instance, last week, the U.S. Government issued a statement acknowledging that the electrical grid is vulnerable to cyberattack. There were also news reports of America’s adversaries acquiring the capability to launch an “EMP” or Electro-Magnetic Pulse attack against the USA power grid. Other adversaries, namely Russia, have been identified as harboring ransomware hackers. There are countless scenarios in which your “sticks-and-bricks” home may be rendered uninhabitable by a cyberattack. Having your RV ready to roll is key in most of them.
We may be too casual about RV readiness
Many of us are very casual about “readiness” in terms of maintaining full potable water and fuel tanks. We always get to that when we embark on a trip. But what if your city water tap is suddenly dry? What if your electricity goes out and doesn’t come back on? What if the grocery store shelves are laid bare in a panic? That happened across the country at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These and a lot of other questions arise when considering the effects of a large-scale infrastructure cybercrime attack.
In light of phenomena like cybercrime ransomware attacks and threats to the crucial electrical and fuel supply systems, it might be a good time to think over and make some changes in the level of preparedness that you as an RV owner should maintain.
Here is a top-level list of suggestions for getting prepared for a major disruption or disaster:
- Keep fresh water tanks filled. Cycle the tanks periodically, so that you always have at least that much fresh potable water if needed. Keep an extra set of house water filters on hand. Most of us like to travel with tanks empty to reduce weight. You can still do this, if necessary, for navigating high elevation passes or towing heavyweights, but then refill with fresh water as soon as possible. That 50-gallon fresh water tank represents four hundred pounds, but thirst and dehydration are serious concerns.
- A large hardware supply store will likely carry the light-blue food-grade five-gallon plastic cans, about the size of a gas can, for more fresh water. In an emergency, you can never have too much.
Maintain fuel levels
- Run on the top third to half of the fuel tank. Same with propane. If a situation develops that forces you to use your RV as a lifeboat, you can expect that availability of fuels will also be affected.
- It is impossible to become a true “prepper” when constrained by weight and space in even the largest motorhome. But still, a reasonable store of necessities can and should be carried. A lot of dry foods, such as pastas, flour, dehydrated milk, bread nuts and beans, can be stowed on board in very little space, and they are not heavy. Think dry foods versus heavy canned goods.
Equipment to have and keep maintained
- Emergency radio. Even if your RV is equipped with the latest stereo system and smart TV, these may not work. I carry an inexpensive emergency “crank” radio to help keep me informed in a major emergency. (We recently reviewed this one.)
- If your RV is equipped with a generator, or you opt to use a portable, always make sure it’s working and ready – full fuel and oil, and actually generating electricity.
- Keep RV engine and house batteries in good working order. Consider replacing any battery bank that will not take – or hold – a charge. You may not have shore power in an emergency.
- In conjunction with batteries, check solar systems for charging output and integrity, and keep solar panels clean for best results.
- Check air conditioner output, clean screens – just as you would at the start of a new spring/summer season.
- Make a habit of routinely checking all appliances, e.g., range, refrigerator, etc., to make sure they are in working order when needed.
Don’t forget the tires – and cash
- Keep tires properly inflated and in good, safe condition for what may be a long haul.
- If possible, stockpile some extra cash to take along “just in case.” Banking, along with the use of debit, credit and fuel cards, may not work when the going gets rough.
No one knows where or when the latest scourge, the ransomware cyberattack, may occur. Nor do we know what critical component of modern life support it may interrupt. Some peace of mind can be gained by knowing that your RV can be a major asset and tool in dealing with what may come in the way of cybercrimes. Some tech pundits have gone so far as to say that “it is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’” this could occur.
Related:
2020 Internet Crime Report from the FBI
##RVT1005
All modern RVs that have electronics will be useless if there is an EMP attack, the engine will not even crank, all the systems will not work. The only RVs that may survive are 40 years old, before the electronic revolution. Even storing it inside a steel shed may protect it initially but when your fuel is gone you’re not going to find fuel to keep running. As a country we are poorly prepared for an emergency such as this, instead of political infighting our government should be taking steps to protect us from the bad guys around the world. Our electrical grid is open to attack, an 8’ fence around a major electrical substation is not going to protect against a small time bomber. We know how nut cases can disrupt society with a simple act of terrorism.
Ah the good old days before the ### computers were invented. No computers no cyber crime
To help prevent personal attacks, do nothing involving banking and finances on a Microsoft operating system computer, or even the Mac. Get a Chromebook, they are much more secure. Even the inexpensive $200 ones will work fine. A small learning curve, but safety first. Nothing will help when either your bank or iNet is down.
For emergency communications, nothing beats Ham Radio. Even the very inexpensive Baofangs have strong communication monitoring capabilities. Stored in a steel box, and you are good for EMP.
Keep emergency cash somewhere for true emergencies.
Personal weapons and training are to be considered.
Hey “Tom” you forgot to mention, learn how to skin squirrels and prepare any roadkill you come across.
Don Bledsoe is quite correct regarding EMP (Electrical Mechanical Pulse) However, you can provide protection from it. A grounded “cage” of wires around an electrical device can protect it. We store our motorhome in a completely enclosed metal storage unit. I am going to make sure that it is electrically grounded. Thinking that may help protect our motorhome.
I have been a contract instructor for FEMA at the Emergency Management Institute of the National Emergency Training Center in Maryland.
EMP is Electromagnetic pulse.
Stop pussyfooting around. Put a trustworthy international cyber expert team (compensated for performance) together, then send in a hit squad to disrupt the operation. If you keep paying randsom, it WILL NEVER STOP.
I couldn’t agree more. Paying ransom will only encourage more of it. Having multiple countries working together to put a serious hurt on cyber attacks is about the only way to end this. Dead hackers can’t collect ransom.
It is not a “operation”…. these perps are online and most likely unknown other than their Username and reputation. You cannot send in the “hit team” to Pakistan and take out the kingpin, it just does not work that way.
They will know if you start ‘sniffing’ around for them and will ‘disappear’ behind a new alias.
Getting rid of cyber currency (Bitcoin) would be a start in slowing this new wave down.
Another consideration: while canned goods are heavy, they are efficient to make ready to eat. Dry foods, especially beans, use precious water and energy to prepare. Cooking times on pasta and rice can be reduced by presoaking. Dry pasta will absorb liquid and soften if soaked in recipe liquid for hours before heating, reducing the amount of water and energy used. Doesn’t work for all recipes, of course.
We live in Florida (AKA “Hurricane Country”). I keep the fuel tank full from June 1 to Nov 30th, so we can evacuate up the road at a moments notice. One thing that will be hard to get when the evacuation order goes out is….you guessed it….fuel!
We generally do all of this just so it’s easier for spur of the moment camping. Except when it comes to winter. We can’t leave the freshwater tank (or either of the other two) full for fear of freezing. So, as long as a real emergency only happens during the warmer months, we’re ready. [note tongue in cheek here].
I would add one small thing to Don’s astute discussion below: Buy a Boy Scout (Scout?) handbook and/or a Scoutmaster’s handbook! Basic camping from the ground up – eeer – on the ground.
This article is full of tips that most likely will not work. A powerful EMP will likely knock out the national electric grid, agreed. With it goes the internet, cell phones, point of sale computers, health records, bank records etc. Almost all electronic devices. That includes any internal combustion engine that has electronic controls, think the big engine that propels the RV, the ac controls, refrigerator controls, even your water heater, think about that control board that locks the water heater out after three attempts to light.
So what do we do? Start reading up on basic camping skills would be a great start. Sure you have a tank of water, do you know where your fresh water drain is? Thats going to be the only way to access that precious water unless you have a basic RV that uses real switches and wires to control the pump. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea I’m trying to convey. This is coming from a background of 30 plus years in disaster planning and work.
In addition to the Scouts handbook mentioned by DW/ND I think, if you can find them, an out of print series called Foxfire should be in your library. This was a high school project to capture the almost forgotten lore of living off the land in the Smokey Mts. Great read if you can get them.