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How the Egyptian Government found an off switch to the Internet

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zridling:
Several articles for weekend reading, each interesting.



Egypt's Leaders Found ‘Off’ Switch for Internet
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/technology/16internet.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

How Did Egypt's Government Halt Internet Access?
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june11/egypt2_02-16.html

The Exploits of Hackers and How They Have Highlighted the Internet's Insecurities
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/hackers/

___________________________
Governments really don't like people assembling, and they sure don't like them doing it online. Even US President Obama wants an off-switch at hand "in case of cyberattack." http://www.schneier.com/essay-265.html

40hz:
+1! :Thmbsup:

T'was a time when this mentality was mostly to be found in movies...

Mr. Dascombe, what we need is a clear message to the people of the country! This message should be read in every newspaper, heard on every radio, seen on every television. This message must resound  throughout the ENTIRE INTERLINK! I want this country to realize that we stand on the edge of oblivion! I want every man, woman, and child to understand how close we are to chaos! I WANT EVERYONE to remember WHY THEY NEED US!~

--- End quote ---

"Not so funny now is it, funny man?"
 
>:(

Sugar:
It broke my heart that they did this and more, it made me realize how vulnerable
all people who are not "free" are. Free being a concept of the heart and mind, but
perhaps not of a governance.

zridling:
What surprised me is how quickly it went down. Within 5-15 minutes, the country went dark. It didn't take a day or two.

40hz:
What surprised me is how quickly it went down. Within 5-15 minutes, the country went dark. It didn't take a day or two.
-zridling (February 18, 2011, 07:17 PM)
--- End quote ---

Which kinda implies it wasn't a spur of the moment decision. Or that somewhere along the line technology wasn't deployed with the specific intent of providing such a capability to the Egyptian government.

I personally think this capability already exists in the USA. Obama's request for legislation is just an attempt to make a fait accompli more palatable.

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