After a summer of chaos, a 'chilling' rumor of a November cyberattack has everyone on edge. Here is the truth.

As November 17 approaches, rumors of a looming global cyberattack are making headlines, coinciding with FEMA's regularly scheduled Emergency Alert System test. FEMA assures the public that this test, taking place every three years, is standard procedure. With no credible evidence backing the cyberattack claims, it's crucial to distinguish actual cybersecurity risks from unfounded social media chatter.

Following flight disruptions that grounded more than 15,000 flights across the United States, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at airports, and a major Microsoft outage that disrupted online services worldwide, conspiracy theorists are now predicting a global cyberattack on November 17.

"Remember November 17. People are being told it's the day a GLOBAL CYBERATTACK hits the banks and the internet at the same time," one conspiracy theorist wrote on X, urging people to withdraw cash from banks.

Another X user wrote, "Rumors of a GLOBAL CYBERATTACK on November 17 are spreading. People are being told to withdraw CASH, stock up on essentials and prepare for possible banking and internet disruptions."

However, there is no verified evidence to support claims of a planned global cyberattack on that date.

Interestingly, November 17 is also the date on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has scheduled a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

According to a FEMA press release, the test is part of the agency's legally required exercise to assess the country's public warning system.

"FEMA's Emergency Alert System is a national public warning system made up of thousands of radio, television, cable, satellite and wireline video providers. Through the Emergency Alert System, the President can address the American people or share life-saving information with the public during a national emergency," the press release stated.

FEMA is required by law to conduct a nationwide test of the public alert and warning system at least once every three years. These exercises help the agency identify technical and operational problems before the system is needed during an actual emergency.

The November 17 test is scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET. Radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers across the country will interrupt normal programming to broadcast a test message.

The message will state: "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 2:20 to 2:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."

Normal programming will resume once the test is complete.

The coincidence of the scheduled nationwide alert test and the viral cyberattack claims may have contributed to speculation on social media. However, the two should not be confused. FEMA has described the exercise as a routine test of the country's emergency warning infrastructure, not an indication of an impending cyberattack.

For now, claims of a global cyberattack on November 17 should be treated with considerable scepticism. There is a difference between preparing for genuine cybersecurity risks and acting on unverified social media predictions.

As one X user pointed out: "Everyone's watching November 17. What are they overlooking? A 'blackout' prediction isn't proof your power or bank account is at risk. Fear spreads faster than facts. Stay alert. Adapt. Prepare for outages and cyberattacks, not rumors."