Eye on the World: cyber attacks

Computer hacking attacks have been in the news a lot lately. This week a U.S. security firm accused a Chinese military group of stealing data from American companies and defense groups; a Chinese spokesman denied the accusation and countered that the U.S. is the top source of hacking against Chinese computers. Meanwhile, Twitter, the popular microblogging service, continues to struggle with compromised accounts and hacks against its users. 

Cyberattacks are a complex phenomenon, but that doesn’t mean that we need to “tough it out” waiting for security analysts to come up with solutions. Prayer can prevent cyberattacks by revealing to each of us that there’s only one Mind — God — rather than many minds opposed to one another, using nefarious means to score political or informational advantages. “Underscoring cybersecurity with prayer” uses the example of Elisha and the fiery chariots found in II Kings 6 to show how neutralizing fear is an important first step in stopping computer hacking. This kind of prayer not only supports those on watch in security facilities, but also neutralizes the dark motives that would give rise to cyberattacks in the first place.

This pair of Sentinel editorials, “A spiritual response to cyberattacks” and “Prayer’s counterattack on cyber warfare,” explain more about how prayer can be an active response. These editorials remind us that no matter how sophisticated or well-engineered a computer virus or attack may be, nothing can invade or compromise the safety that comes from God, divine Principle itself. We each have the spiritual discernment to recognize those thoughts and actions that come from God, and to reject those that don’t. This kind of discernment uncovers evil and has a “ripple effect” that promotes honesty and peace both online and off. 

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