Internet Access Cut Off as Egyptian Protests Intensify
- Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:47am by
Meredith Jessup
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP/The Blaze) — About a half-hour past midnight Friday morning in Egypt, the Internet went dead.
Almost simultaneously, the handful of companies that pipe the Internet into and out of Egypt went dark as protesters were gearing up for a fresh round of demonstrations calling for the end of President Hosni Mubarak’s nearly 30-year rule, experts said.
Egypt has apparently done what many technologists thought was unthinkable for any country with a major Internet economy: It unplugged itself entirely from the Internet to try and silence dissent.
Experts say it‘s unlikely that what’s happened in Egypt could happen in the United States because the U.S. has numerous Internet providers and ways of connecting to the Internet. Coordinating a simultaneous shutdown would be a massive undertaking.
“It can’t happen here,” said Jim Cowie, the chief technology officer and a co-founder of Renesys, a network security firm in Manchester, N.H., that studies Internet disruptions. “How many people would you have to call to shut down the U.S. Internet? Hundreds, thousands maybe? We have enough Internet here that we can have our own Internet. If you cut it off, that leads to a philosophical question: Who got cut off from the Internet, us or the rest of the world?”
In fact, there are few countries anywhere with all their central Internet connections in one place or so few places that they can be severed at the same time. But the idea of a single “kill switch” to turn the Internet on and off has seduced some American lawmakers, who have pushed for the power to shutter the Internet in a national emergency.
The Internet blackout in Egypt shows that a country with strong control over its Internet providers apparently can force all of them to pull their plugs at once, something that Cowie called “almost entirely unprecedented in Internet history.”
The outage sets the stage for blowback from the international community and investors. It also sets a precedent for other countries grappling with paralyzing political protests – though censoring the Internet and tampering with traffic to quash protests is nothing new.
“We are concerned that communication services, including the Internet, social media and even this tweet, are being blocked in Egypt,” State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley tweeted on the social network website Twitter. “We are closely monitoring the situation in Egypt. We continue to urge authorities to show restraint and allow peaceful protests to occur.”
China has long restricted what its people can see online and received renewed scrutiny for the practice when Internet search leader Google Inc. proclaimed a year ago that it would stop censoring its search results in China.
In 2009, Iran disrupted Internet service to try to curb protests over disputed elections. And two years before that, Burma’s Internet was crippled when military leaders apparently took the drastic step of physically disconnecting primary communications links in major cities, a tactic that was foiled by activists armed with cell phones and satellite links.
Computer experts say what sets Egypt’s action apart is that the entire country was disconnected in an apparently coordinated effort, and that all manner of devices are affected, from mobile phones to laptops. It seems, though, that satellite phones would not be affected.
“Iran never took down any significant portion of their Internet connection – they knew their economy and the markets are dependent on Internet activity,” Cowie said.
When countries are merely blocking certain sites – like Twitter or Facebook – where protesters are coordinating demonstrations, as apparently happened at first in Eqypt, protesters can use “proxy” computers to circumvent the government censors. The proxies “anonymize” traffic and bounce it to computers in other countries that send it along to the restricted sites.
But when there’s no Internet at all, proxies can’t work and online communication grinds to a halt.
Renesys‘ network sensors showed that Egypt’s four primary Internet providers – Link Egypt, Vodafone/Raya, Telecom Egypt, Etisalat Misr – and all went dark at 12:34 a.m. Those companies shuttle all Internet traffic into and out of Egypt, though many people get their service through additional local providers with different names.
One exception to this block was Noor Group, which includes the Egyptian Stock Exchange among its customers, with inbound transit coming in from Telecom Italia.
Italy-based Seabone said no Internet traffic was going into or out of Egypt after 12:30 a.m. local time.
“There’s no way around this with a proxy,” Cowie said. “There is literally no route. It’s as if the entire country disappeared. You can tell I’m still kind of stunned.”
The technical act of turning off the Internet can be fairly straightforward. It likely requires only a simple change to the instructions for the companies’ networking equipment.
Craig Labovitz, chief scientist for Arbor Networks, a Chelmsford, Mass., security company, said that in countries such as Egypt – with a centralized government and a relatively small number of fiber-optic cables and other ways for the Internet to get piped in – the companies that own the technologies are typically under strict licenses from the government.
“It’s probably a phone call that goes out to half a dozen folks who enter a line on a router configuration file and hit return,” Labovitz said. “It’s like programming your TiVo – you have things that are set up and you delete one. It’s not high-level programming.”
Twitter confirmed Tuesday that its service was being blocked in Egypt, and Facebook reported problems.
“Iran went through the same pattern,” Labovitz said. “Initially there was some level of filtering, and as things deteriorated, the plug was pulled. It looks like Egypt might be following a similar pattern.”
The ease with which Egypt cut itself also means the country can control where the outages are targeted, experts said. So its military facilities, for example, can stay online while the Internet vanishes for everybody else.
Experts said it was too early to tell which, if any, facilities still have connections in Egypt.
Hpowever, Cowie said his firm is investigating clues that a small number of small networks might still be available.
Meanwhile, a program Renesys uses that displays the percentage of each country that is connected to the Internet was showing a figure that he was still struggling to believe. Zero.
On the third day of Egyptian protests, armed security forces shot dead one activist, bringing the country’s total death toll so far to five:
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Comments (84)
Tickdog
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:25amHmmm so this is what America is soon to look like at the wheel of this idiot driving now.
Report Post »pzzdnga
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:53pmprobably so…only it won’t turn out so well as this will, because there are many, many more people here to rise up and set things right. When you remove the communications and press systems, the only place to gather and gain needed info is in the streets. The only place to vent the frustration and anger, is in the streets. The only place to change the regime and rule makers, is in the streets…probably a better idea to have folks home blogging bs on a computer, or calling friends and family to vent and network a way out, than risk forcing them off their butts and into the streets to take action….
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:01amhows that kill switch looking now to all the progressives? I am willing to bet they will say that would never happen here … well it will if we the people do not stand up and put a stop to it NOW
Report Post »maumau
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:00am“It can’t happen here,” said Jim Cowie, the chief technology officer and a co-founder of Renesys, a network security firm in Manchester, N.H., that studies Internet disruptions.
yeah and social security works , we are not in a recession and the housing market is bouncing back
Report Post »Linda Vigliotti
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:58amOur future in regards to the internet, this will be used here too.
Report Post »Galt wanna be
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:54am“It would never happen here.” Why is it the more the press tries to tell us everything is just peachy, the more I think it’s getting worse. The “recovery” is a prime example. When I hear reporters talk of the recovery, I keep waiting for the punch line. How can they say how things are getting better and keep a straight face? The world is beginning to fall apart as they tell us it’s OK. Maybe when the superbowl is over, the people of this country will have to turn and look at reality. At least till March Madness starts.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:47amMaybe someone should tell the writer that Obama is having an internet kill switch legislation brought up for a vote. Where the entire system could be shut down in caSE OF A “CRISIS”and there would be no judical recourse.
Report Post »joeliberty
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:46amEveryone, our government is probably jealous of Egypt at this moment and would love to enact this same kind of tyranny on us! It is not going to be pretty this year! I expect the same kind of protesting here as we go broke and millions of people that are government dependent get cut off! Prepare!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:46amThat’s exactly why Barry wants an emergency off switch. Despotic dictators think alike.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:44amI’m betting our geeks are better than their geeks. Some US internet service providers will find a way to keep things going.
If the current, temporary occupant of our White House keeps it up with the Executive Orders he will be the first U.S. President to have his E.O. decided in the Supreme Court.
Report Post »blanco
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:28amOur future, folks!!
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:23amDespite Obama’s best attempt to undermine and destroy freedom, with his radical Egyptian speeches to his fellow muslims, freedom is happening. The tyrannical radical Islamic theology ingrained in the middle east needs to be destroyed and thanks to George Bush & Iraqi Freedom, we are now seeing the destruction of radical islam!
Report Post »TAKEITBACK
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:57amBarry wants the same power for the same reason!
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:15amSenator Paul’s proposal calls for cutting 2.15B from the FCC in 2011. Maybe he should just defund the agency all together.
Report Post »shellmen
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:01amWhy is Egyps problems any of our business to begin with. We donot live there and are believing the same press and administration that lies to US all of the time. We cannot have it both ways and say they are truthful when it suits our pourpose and are lying when it does not. As far as the internet obama probably already has the switch. When did the constitution slow down these commie bastards?
Report Post »powedj
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:13pm@shellman
Report Post »What business is it of ours? Watch the oil prices and what you will pay at the pump.
Living In NYC
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:10amWhat out for President Boob approval ratings, he might try this in the United States if they get too low!
Report Post »run42k
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:00amMaybe the Film Actor’s Guild can reason with the powers that be. (Insert video clip of Ma-a-a-tttt Da-monnnn). Or maybe Team America can just straighten this out.
Report Post »Dumbsht
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:51amDomino Effect. This has some serious potential to change life as we know it. Bye Bye Good times.
Report Post »23
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:15amTime to buy a ham radio and mimeograph machine!
Report Post »WAR PIGS CRAWLING
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:40amIn my best Homer Simpson voice: Mmmmmm…..ham….
Report Post »phil1765
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:25amWell they have already laid the groundwork for this to happen in the good ole USofA, be interesting to watch what OUR government does in the next few days. We aren’t creating a crises fast enough for this administration, they are are going to create their own here pretty soon.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:38amThey always seem to be be one step ahead…….We’ve got to vote these people out!
Report Post »GdavidH
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:23pm@NancyBee,
VOTE????
Does it look to you like the folks in Egypt are preparing to vote?
I’m glad I voted in 2010. It was probably the last time any of us will.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:23amI think that we will see it here and sooner than we would like. Just look at all the violence toward our law enforcement, the IHOP video etc. Be prepared and have a backup plan for your family. Once this is enforced here, and I believe that it will be, we can expect further “crises” to occur.
Report Post »brliantedj
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:32amWHAT, you mean the ACTUAL UNITED STATES during his telepromter DAZE, I could only wish so..
Report Post »Quad-rip-legic
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:10amThank you Egypt for showing us and the rest of the world what our government wants to do to all Americans when they feel like it.
Report Post »Outside Looking In
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:05amOkay, now we get to see how effective this whole ‘kill switch’ strategy plays out in real time.
Report Post »Quad-rip-legic
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:13amYep
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:49am30 years of dictatorship , people are fed up with him , but will Egypt get better with a new regime ? I doubt it .
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:08amYou might be right, but I don’t think Al Baradai is a Islamist radical. 30 years is a long time to be in power, but you can do a lot worse than Mubarak..
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:19am& this what they’re trying to turn America into , WE THE GOVERNMENT will provide you with food & welfare as long as you thank us & vote for us & keep your mouth shut .
Report Post »Strictlybusiness
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:07am@RobertCA
The reason the protests have grown so greatly in numbers in Egypt is “The Muslim Brotherhood” is now in charge of the protest movement! ! The Egyptian Government KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS THESE ANIMALS !!! Hosni Mubarak’s Government shut down the WEB to stop “The Brotherhood” from organizing any further, so that peaceful protests don’t turn into TOTAL chaos like “THE BROTHERHOOD” would love to see…..
Report Post »LVMerrily
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 12:56pmProblem is that Mubarak is keeping Christians and conservative Muslims alive. If he goes there will be a blood bath in Egypt.
Report Post »Endstatism
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:12pmWhether Egypt gets democratic government is going to depend if the Muslim Brotherhood hijacks this revolution. It would be interesting to find out if this was a true grassroots uprising or if this is being stirred up by radical Islamists. Another scenario is that the military takes over the government if its percieved that Mubarak cannot control the nation.
Report Post »davecoolworld
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:47amComing soon to a computer near you.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:18amyea,,,,a pretty good idea what to expect IF things get ‘dicey’.
Report Post »davecoolworld
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:45amSame thing is coming to a computer near you.
Report Post »Intellectual Honesty
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:33amYemen will likely be next
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:40amYou could call it the Bush revolution, started by freedom in Iraq, the people of the Middle East want to be free from the dictators. Just hope the Islamist radicals don’t fill the void.
Report Post »taxed
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:04amThat dictator would love nothing more than to just bring the internet up and down at will… but enough about Obama…
http://conservativepoliticalforum.com
Report Post »brliantedj
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:27amNo problem, we have it in writing… see AMERICAN COSTITUTION
Report Post »So
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:06amYes. We are looking at our future.
Obama wants a “kill switch” for the U.S..
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:26amWhen this happens here, and it will, you’ll know for sure, it’s time to lock and load. Oliar is working on this switch now, guaranteed.
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:59amThe fence builders are frantically trying to mend their fences before thier livestock trample them.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
BMartin1776
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:03amBad times coming our way especially since talk has started up again to give BHO an internet kill switch… What a coincidence NOT! There are no coincidences only illusions of coincidence.
Its amazing things havent started here with taxes, fuel, food prices etc rising not to mention the ongoing foreclosures, bankruptcies and all the bailouts out of control spending by the power elites.
Start networking offline folks via CB HAM or whatever you can afford.
http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:36amHyperinflation is just around the corner because the Fed is printing money like there is no tomorroe. Are you ready for a loaf of bread to cost a days wages?
If you aren’t stocked up with food water, gold, silver and ammo you will be out in the streets protesting too. Good luck with that. Desperation leads to death in times like these. If you are a Patriot, you want to live, so stock up because we will be the people left to restore the Republic after the turmoil is over…
Let the Left wing looniesand the desperate fight for food in the streets…
Report Post »BJAlexandria
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:16amWow, Davecool – reading this story, I was crafting a post in my head, “coming to a country near you …” then I saw your post. EERIE!
Report Post »Stuck_in_CA
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:24amExactly right. Its coming here. Obummer wants the “Shut-off” button. I submit, he’s already got it.
Report Post »Highland
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 7:46amThat’s exactly what we have to look forward to, and why the Obama administration is trying to get control over – and complete access to – our internet usage.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:16amHow’s the Net Neutrality looking now?
Report Post »Kurty C Wipe
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:31amGerald Celente….enough said. Family first!
Report Post »Adam Coble
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 10:16amOn of the first things law enforcement does in a standoff or hostage situation is cut off the perpetrator from the outside world. this is to include not only phone lines but electricity gas and the likes. it is to make things inside as uncomfortable as possible so the situation can be ended quickly and peacefully.
Report Post »It is true that the big component is taking the ability to communicate to whom ever they wish away and redirect that communication to the one negotiating the end of the situation. This is a power play, a tool that the government has known and used successfully for years.
chuck
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 10:39amBlazers, this is not funny, nor will it be if it hits our shores. Egypt falls and middle east goes up in flames! Then Europe could erupt, oh boy…buckle up folks!
Report Post »ledbythnose
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 11:24amYes and there will be one of us behind every blade of grass. Soetoro is a Usurper and they all know it. We wont back down. WE ARE AMERICANS.
Report Post »jbl8199
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 11:49amThis is scary. Can you imagine the chaos here if people suddenly couldn’t use their Ipods or Blackberries? O what ever would we do?
Report Post »butler180
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 12:55pmYou’Ve got that right. We better stand against the Prez and his Czars to stop it from happening here. Call your Senator and Congressman.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:06pm@ jbl8199
My God, millions and millions of teeners in the USA that couldn’t text….the humanity!!!
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:17pm@ brliantedj …. “No problem, we have it in writing… see AMERICAN COSTITUTION”
Apparently you havent been paying attention close enough. Regulation and extra-constitutional authority is what the progressives, and now the obama regime has been about. The first amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” It doesn’t say Cass Sunstein and the FCC cant regulate us into silence. No prayer in schools, god out of the public arena, no crosses on public lands, net neutrality regulations, and limits on firearms, prove they can take anything away simply by regulating against it. Pray, lock, and load.
Report Post »Czar Kasim
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:55pmCome on it’s only fair for governments to want a button to shut us up. After all, we have one that shuts them up.
Report Post »