In survival do we need computer related skills?

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by Papa_asf130, Aug 27, 2016.


  1. Papa_asf130

    Papa_asf130 Monkey++

    The scenario is that you're middle of town when SHTF real fast and every place is on lock down and only way to get in or out is by hacking computers or other devices... This scenario is in most recent games and I haven't seen that its been talked too much in real life scenario. So what I'm asking is do we need some kind of hacking skills to survive in city? In the countryside I don't think its viable option in most cases. Some places has keylocks and computer based locks and if we go even further then its locked by card lock and the issue is that the we don't know if there are eny ID card onwer in place at that time... Oh well but you get the idea, I hope :D
     
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  2. Tevin

    Tevin Monkey+++

    The reason you don't see it talked about in real life is because, as you mention, these way-out-there scenarios exist only in movies and video games.

    Almost every building has some sort of electronic security, but there are very few places where it is absolutely the only way to get out. Unless you are in a jail or top-secret military base deep inside a mountain, there are always options.

    For example, pulling the fire alarm will release all the electronic locks in a building. It's possible that a hacker could rig the system so the locks will not release even for a fire alarm, but again, that's a way-out-there situation. You could also escape through the loading dock or a fire exit.

    Even someone who knows that they are doing would need a lot of time hack their way around a security system. They would either have to plan the hack well ahead of time and/or need physical access to the computers and equipment that run the system. Assuming they know where it is, they would probably have to breach a locked door, possibly more than one door.

    That brings up an obvious point: If you're going to break into a secure area to hack the door locks, wouldn't it be just as easy to break down an exterior door or bust a window and just walk out of the place?

    To answer your question, hacking/computer skills are nice if you already have them but I would not go and learn them for the sole purpose of survival. There are far more useful things one could spend their time on.
     
  3. Shotgunpapa

    Shotgunpapa Monkey

    I agree with that more than likely all computers will be down any way. So just walk out the door. I may not understand what you were asking i am an old fart you know i'm lucky to be able to turn a computer on lol.
     
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  4. Papa_asf130

    Papa_asf130 Monkey++

    Yea I thought the same and I do know basics of computers and such and was only wondering about it out loud. The more likely to happen that I won't even need the hacking skills in countryside at all the scenario was somewhere in big city, but thanks for the answers :)
     
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  5. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I personally do not think so but then I am hoping for a bit of a reset on the whole computer world. I think computers run too much of our lives and we have lost something of our humanity because of this. As for hacking skills, it think most things are designed so you can get out easily vs. hacking to get in.
     
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  6. Oltymer

    Oltymer Monkey++

    No electricity, no internet, and all satellite communications - poof, so no cellphones. Primitive survival skills will prove more practical in the brave new world.
     
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  7. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    The only scenario I can think of right off the bat would be where I work. It's a technology company anyway, so it's basically full of hackers. Some are from middle eastern countries.

    You just stirred a thought process here. They could easily hack the security system and lock all the exterior doors so that no one could leave, and no help (swat teams, cops) could enter without taking the time to breach. In the meantime who knows what their buddies would be doing?

    Of course, for our safety, the company does post a "No Firearms Allowed" sign. That's sure to dissuade anyone hell bent on harm. What a bunch of leftist Dumb Fks.

    The more I think about this the more I shiver.

    Some exterior doors are glass, pretty thick stuff. A chair thrown against it would bounce off. Wonder if I shouldn't purchase a sledge or a fire axe and keep it stashed somewhere as insurance.

    Hmmm. Maybe not so way out.
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2016
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  8. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Fancy electronic locks are easy - in every movie I've seen all you have to do is to pry the cover off and connect the red wire to the blue one. If that doesn't work,just shoot the lock. Works every time.
     
  9. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Walk down the Stairs, to the Ground Floor, and just Break a window, by throwing a chair thru it.... Emergency Exit 101....[lolol]
     
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  10. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Computer skills? Off the top of my head, I would say no. But, having computers, I would say a most definite - yes! Haven't had even my first tea of the morning but they are a one box do everything type of solution for many things: books, movies, games, spreadsheets even communications. Videos on medical stuff would be a huge help as would a book on drugs and they uses (I think it is called a PDR, Physicians' Desk Reference). Obviously, it would behoove one to have it in hardback/paperback but I have thousands of books on everything you can think of to include survival, canning, you name it - plus - good fiction.

    Knowledge is power but it is also survival. And, if the world were to end today one of the first places I would go would be to the library and fill up the pickup.
     
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  11. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    Computer hacking and programming are all about process, and organization... a followed by B then C if D... etc.... a very useful survival skill even if the systems are down... it makes you think logically and organize your environment... while not a true urvivl skill it provides the basis for other survival skills...YMMV
     
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  12. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I think it is practical to, say, always carry a bootable operating system (Linux), on a flash drive. This way, you can gain access to any computer if the need arises. You could be searching for data or information, maybe some other motive. I do not see how "hacking" would necessarily come into play, but there may be situations during urban survival when it may be useful to an extent.
     
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  13. runswithdogs

    runswithdogs Monkey+++

    Dont think it will be an issue unless were dealing with Skynet...:cautious::cautious::cautious:
     
  14. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Since Hacking requires, either access to the computer, or the presents of a Network/Internet, then in most SHTF Senerios, one of the first things to die is the Internet.... So Hacking would mostly be a local thing.... assuming Power is available, and that is a BIG Assume.... also Hacking doesn't produce Food, Water, or Shelter... and it isn't Beans, Bullets, or Bandaids.... Looks to this Child, like that SkillSet, would be far down the TotemPole, of important SkillSets to have....
     
  15. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Wrong. Well, for civilians? Yes. But, we shouldn't forget the origins of the internet.
    Besides, you live in the frigid north pole, why on Earth would you care about anything internet, anyway? :LOL:
     
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  16. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Hey... I gots me some Internet.... and some Puter stuff, TOO.... I is as capable as the next Dude... It just don't provide for the basics, which ALWAYS comes First....
     
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  17. oil pan 4

    oil pan 4 Monkey+++

    Computer stuff during survival aka avoiding the initial die off, me thinks no.
    During rebuilding it could come in handy to know how to string together a network.
    I think during the rebuilding time for years perhaps what we call the "internet" will look a lot like the regional networks we had in the 1980s. I think it would aid in commerce of buying and selling, creating, mining or making of comities maybe allow people to know where work is located, aid in weather warning and alert users to potential security threats, email. A more basic version of what we use to day.

    That first line reminded me of fall out 3.

    But I don't think taking stuff from people or other groups will be conducive to long life.
    Chances are if you are in the middle of town during initial SHTF, power will be out most security systems will be non functional or just ignored as the police will be overwhelmed and/or will have already abandoned their posts.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2016
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  18. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    My thoughts are this, If a SHTF happens leaving you high and dry, I don't see computers OR skills with them really counting for any thing. Power loss would shut every thing down, with a building on emergency power, there would likely be local access on site, but no coms or internet to the outside. Any needs at that point would be security based only! How to get out if in a lock down situ, or how to break in if a need arises ( Like Getting Beans, Band aids, And Boolits) But little use beyond that! The only place I can really see any of this being useful would be to gain access to Meds that may be kept secure on site, or a Armory! I used to work at a very high tech center that had pretty good security, but if a person had a need to leave, even in a lock down, you could exfil really easy! Even in the hyper secure Card access, Limited clearance areas, I could always get out, just not in, unless you had a means to apply the needed physical force!
     
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  19. Seepalaces

    Seepalaces Monkey+++

    That is a killer idea for a book, too. Do you figure one of these would get you out? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CB8WM2S/?tag=survivalmonke-20

    I was thinking along the same lines in terms of computer skills basically being problem solving skills. Also, my husband can wire darn near anything. Typically an understanding of hardware comes with an understanding of electric. That's helpful for comm, imho, as well as alot of other niceties. Additionally, turning the lights back on is an invaluable skill. Still, everything depends on the scenario.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2016
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  20. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    An old spark plug would do just as well, remove the contact exposing the center electrode and hit it against the glass, instant shatter. Double layer, reinforced or shatter proof, it isn't going to matter what you have, that would likely take a small charge of demo!
     
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