Chris Knipp
06-24-2016, 10:12 AM
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Preview
ALEX GIBNEY: ZERO DAYS (2016)
World War 3.0: waged by computer
On the digitally-altered face of it, Zero Days is just another conventional documentary with talking heads and some visually nice computerized imagery. But it justifies its existence with compelling material perched on the edge between computer technology and global warfare.
A "zero day" virus or malware is one whose identifying "signature" is as yet unknown and defense as yet undevised, and that can spread by itself. This cyber jargon denotes the high-tech world's vulnerability, which only grows with time. Furthermore, things don't even need to be computer-operated to be shut down or destroyed by unseen, sometimes unnoticed electronic attackers. Malware has the power to lastingly disable power, communications, conceivably a whole nation. Malware was so sparse twenty years ago big cyber security firms like Symantec- two of whose key experts are the first voices here - had to hunt for it. Now there are millions of new viruses every day.
This is alarming in itself. But Zero Days has a very specific story to tell - about what critics consider misguided and failed cyber warfare against Iran. The film tells an urgent, well-paced tale with wide implications, well narrated and illustrated by beautiful computer-generated imagery. . .
Recommended. Watch for my review in two weeks.
TRAILER (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq11OUKSDnU)
Preview
ALEX GIBNEY: ZERO DAYS (2016)
World War 3.0: waged by computer
On the digitally-altered face of it, Zero Days is just another conventional documentary with talking heads and some visually nice computerized imagery. But it justifies its existence with compelling material perched on the edge between computer technology and global warfare.
A "zero day" virus or malware is one whose identifying "signature" is as yet unknown and defense as yet undevised, and that can spread by itself. This cyber jargon denotes the high-tech world's vulnerability, which only grows with time. Furthermore, things don't even need to be computer-operated to be shut down or destroyed by unseen, sometimes unnoticed electronic attackers. Malware has the power to lastingly disable power, communications, conceivably a whole nation. Malware was so sparse twenty years ago big cyber security firms like Symantec- two of whose key experts are the first voices here - had to hunt for it. Now there are millions of new viruses every day.
This is alarming in itself. But Zero Days has a very specific story to tell - about what critics consider misguided and failed cyber warfare against Iran. The film tells an urgent, well-paced tale with wide implications, well narrated and illustrated by beautiful computer-generated imagery. . .
Recommended. Watch for my review in two weeks.
TRAILER (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq11OUKSDnU)