Imagine an unimaginable force that can cause destruction to all electronic devices including laptops and smartphones. It's straight out of science fiction films. However, this phenomenon is in fact real and is referred to as an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) or transient electromagnetic disturbance (TED). It is also able to fry any electronic device within a range of hundreds of miles. Let's talk about EMP attacks and how to safeguard your electronics from them. What exactly is an EMP?An electromagnetic pulse is an massive burst of electromagnetic radiation such as microwaves, radio waves, Gamma rays, or X-rays that result from an explosive surge or acceleration of charged electrical particles, usually electrons. High-energy radiation can cause problems and complete failure of electronic devices. The radiation frequency is the determining factor for the type of electronic EMP Attack Threat. High-frequency EMPs interfere with small gadgets and low-frequency EMPs interfere with massive electrical infrastructures like power grids. EMPs can damage any circuit they come into contact with regardless of size due to their vast frequency range. An EMP propagates wirelessly away from its source, just like light works. EMPshowever are not visible and carry much more energy than light. EMP-related attacks can happen naturally as a result of weather or cosmic events, or they can be intentionally initiated by artificial weapons. Natural EMPs Solar radiation and lightning strikes are the most common sources of natural EMPs. A lightning bolt is basically an electrical discharge of the range of millions of volts. It is enough to create a destructive surge of charged particles to electrical wires and other devices. Solar flares are powerful bursts that happen from time to at the time of the sun's surface. The majority of solar flares are caused by coronal mass ejections which emit enormous cloud of charged particles into space. If the flare is directed directly at Earth the particles ejected could travel to the earth in just a few minutes and destroy electronic devices and electrical infrastructures in the so-called geomagnetic storm. This has actually happened many times over the years. Additionally, distant astronomical bodies and events such as gamma-ray bursts, supernovas, and black holes shower space with high-energy cosmic rays. Some of these rays can be transported to Earth, interfering with molecules in the atmosphere, then rain high-energy charged particles to the ground. While this radiation isn't sufficient to cause damage to electronic components, it can trigger unexpected computer glitches known as bit flips. Are you concerned about EMP attacks? The simple answer is "yes," you should consider EMPs as a potential threat for electrical systems. The US government recognizes the potential of EMPs EMP Attack Threat as a country-wide security threat. In the year 2019, president Donald Trump issued an Executive Order calling on the Department of Defense, Homeland Security as well as other government agencies to cooperate to build national resilience to electromagnetic pulses. Leaving deliberate attacks aside, naturally occurring EMPs are also more likely. Most importantly, natural EMPs from cosmic radiation, solar flares and lightning storms can be indiscriminate and unpredictable. We've witnessed how a charged particle can change the outcomes of elections. Numerous weapons tests have also shown the destructive power and capabilities of malicious EMP Attack Threat. More worryingly the attacks can occur in any moment without warning, which makes EMPs very real and a threat worth guarding against. How to protect yourself from EMP attacks Are you able to shield your electronic devices from an invisible, powerful EMP attack? It's possible easily to do so. There's no way for you on your own to stop an EMP from destroying the main power grid. However, you can safeguard all the electronics hooked up to the mains grid by installing sensitive surge and transient current cut-offs or suppressors. In addition, you can secure mobile devices like laptops, tablets and smartphones when you are moving by putting them in a faraday bag. The bag can neutralize and deflect electromagnetic signals. It works the same way as a faraday cage, blocking electrical and magnetic interferences from leaking in or out of the bag.
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