Information has recently been circulating on social media that the Internet will be cut off on October 11 due to geomagnetic storms. On the basis of rumors, suspicions and expectations, stories spread quickly among social media users.

Al-Seyassah daily followed up on what was happening on social media platforms in order to clarify the facts and highlight the government’s role regarding the phenomenon, by posing questions to experts in fields of IT and cybersecurity, in an investigative report in this regard.

The experts emphasized that just talking about something like this requires the government to take all measures and precautions, even if the possibility of it happening is weak.

They called for making backup copies of databases and strengthening computers with programs to protect against piracy and viruses.

Professor of Information Technology at Kuwait University Dr. Ahmed Al-Munees indicated that the possibility of a global Internet shutdown on October 11 due to a geomagnetic storm is just a rumor, stressing that the last geomagnetic storm was before the current technology.

He said, “However, the state must make backup copies and keep them permanently, as well as strengthen computers with anti-piracy and anti-virus programs on an ongoing basis, and take all security precautions related to cyber security.

Geomagnetic storms cause electromagnetic flares that may reach the Earth and cause distortions on the Internet or the cables that connect the continents of the world. However, the possibilities are very weak, especially since most cables are usually established under a strong structure capable of confronting these risks.

As it was mentioned that cutting off the Internet is a common occurrence and some geographical areas may be affected by it, the percentage of impact will be limited.”

Dr. Al-Munees reiterated that a global Internet shutdown is a rumor, indicating that such a rumor occurred five years ago, “but Kuwait must take into account all possibilities”.