Traffic Classification for the Detection of Anonymous Web Proxy Routing

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Traffic Classification for the Detection of Anonymous Web Proxy Routing International Journal for Information Security Research (IJISR), Volume 5, Issue 1, March 2015 Traffic Classification for the Detection of Anonymous Web Proxy Routing Shane Miller, Kevin Curran, Tom Lunney Ulster University, Northern Ireland Abstract There is an increasing need to be able to classify be logging all the requests and information that pass whether an incoming packet is from a legitimate originating through it. This information could include usernames IP address or has been modified through an intermediate and passwords and the operators of the proxy site may proxy or node. Being able to verify the originating IP use these to steal the identity linked to the credentials address allows a business (e.g. bank) to use geolocation and use it to commit fraud and other criminal actions. services in order to then ascertain which geographical location that packet was sent from. This can then feed into A user employing an anonymous proxy on an the system intrusion system or backend fraud alert enterprise network to bypass a network filter might be, mechanisms. The web however is going 'dark'. There is a unwittingly, leaking confidential information about noticeable uptake in the amount of encrypted data and third their company. To combat this issue we propose a party anonymous traffic proxies which aim to mask the try system that will detect suspicious traffic on the location and IP address of a web request. We present here a network and attempt to determine whether the traffic system which identifies the characteristics or signatures indicates the usage of an anonymous proxy website. whenever a user is using a web proxy by developing a The system will specifically check for characteristics Detection System that records packets and analyses them that appear in packets generated by anonymous looking for identifying patterns of web proxies. proxies and then create rules to determine the usage of anonymous proxies. 1. Introduction 2. Intrusion Detection and Traffic A proxy server, in terms of computer networks, is a Classification server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients for resources located on other servers on a 2.1. IP Blocking network or the Internet. This is the most basic type of proxy which is known as a gateway. Another type of proxy is a reverse proxy. This consists of a server on IP blocking is the most basic technique used to an internal company network and acts as an combat malicious threats to networks and is one of the intermediary for other servers based on that network. most commonly used techniques for protecting Reverse proxies are typically used as an Internet networks [1]. Using this method an administrator can facing server that handles a number of different tasks. block an IP address or a range of IP addresses from Some examples include: SSL acceleration using accessing a certain domain name IP address. A specially designed hardware for the encryption and network administrator can also block access to an IP decryption of SSL traffic, load balancing to distribute address that is being used by a disruptive user. IP requests between several web servers and acting as a blocking can however be overcome by using cache for static content such as pictures and other anonymising proxies. The user’s IP address is usually graphical content. The proxies that will be discussed sent out as a source IP address in the network packet in this research are anonymising proxies which are containing the request to a web server. However, based on another type of proxy known as an open when using a proxy, this request is first sent to the proxy. Open proxies are a proxy that is available to proxy server which then forwards it on towards the any user on the Internet. They are mostly used to set web server. This forwarded request is encased in a up anonymous proxy websites. Anonymising proxy new network packet which means that the source IP sites act as an intermediary, forwarding requests and address is no longer that of the end user but instead is fetching the results, whilst also hiding a user’s identity that of the proxy server. So, the blocked IP address of by concealing their IP address from web servers on the the user is not actually making any direct contact with Internet. This type of server is regularly used as a the web server running the IP filter. The network means to hide a criminal’s identity so they can commit administrator may also block the IP addresses of various crimes on the internet without being caught. websites that they do not want users to access, but in There are also a number of risks with using an this case a proxy will separate the business network anonymous proxy as a method to bypass network and the website being accessed. The IP block filter filters on a company network. The anonymous proxy will only detect the IP of the proxy site, which will server might not be a simple intermediary that only likely not be in the filter’s block list. Fig. 1 shows how forwards requests and fetches the results. It could also the proxy is located between the user and the website they are trying to access. Copyright © 2015, Infonomics Society 538 International Journal for Information Security Research (IJISR), Volume 5, Issue 1, March 2015 2.2. Firewalls and Intrusion Detection of preventing possible violations [6]. When detecting possible incidents, an IDS can take a number of A significant security problem for business type actions. One would be to report the incident to a networks is hostile or unwanted access by users or system security administrator, who could then initiate software [2]. Unwanted user access (an intrusion) can a response to mitigate the effects of the incident. be in the form of unauthorised logon to a machine or Alongside alerting an administrator, the IDS could gaining the ability to perform higher privilege actions also keep a record of incident that could be referenced than what is normally authorised. Unwanted software at a later date and as a way to help prevent future access can take the form of a virus, Trojan horse or cases of that particular incident. There are a number of other form of malware. To combat these intrusions different types of IDS. These are: Network based, there are a number of defences. There are host based Host based, Network Behaviour and Wireless [5]. security methods that are managed by the operating Network based systems monitor the traffic of a system of the machine, various types of firewall used network using sensors placed at certain parts of the to filter network packets, such as Intrusion Detection network and IDS management servers. They analyse Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS). the activity recorded by the sensors in order to identify A firewall is defined as a component or set of incidents of intrusion. Host based systems differ from components that restrict access between a protected network based systems by monitoring a single host. network and external networks [3]. Intrusion NBA systems monitor network traffic in order to Detection Systems detect intrusions on a network. identity threats that generate unusual traffic flows such IDSs come in many different configurations, two of as malware or port scanning attempts. Wireless IDSs which are Host-based IDS (HIDS) and Network-based apply similar techniques to network based systems IDS (NIDS). The difference between these two is the specifically to wireless network traffic that makes use location of the IDS on the network. A HIDS monitors of wireless networking protocols. IDSs typically use 3 and collects the characteristics for hosts containing primary detection methodologies; signature based sensitive information, servers running public services detection, anomaly based detection and stateful and suspicious activities [4]. To detect intrusions to protocol analysis [7, 4]. IDSs can make use of only the network HIDSs typically follow one of two one of these methods or, more commonly, they can general approaches. These are anomaly detection and make use of multiple methods which provides a signature detection. Anomaly detection involves the broader and more complete approach to intrusion collection of data relating to behaviour of legitimate detection. Signature based detection is the process of users over a period of time. Next, tests are applied to using signatures to define what is and is not a potential observed behaviour to determine if it involves an incident. Signatures are defined as a pattern or string illegitimate user. Signature detection involves a set of that signifies a known attack or threat [4]. An example rules or attack patterns that can be used to decide if an of a signature would be more than 3 consecutive failed observed behaviour is that of an attacker [4]. A NIDS logins within 2 minutes signifying an attack attempt. captures network traffic at specific points of a network Signature based detection is the simplest methodology through sensors and then analyses the activities of available to IDSs as it compares the current network applications and protocols to recognise suspicious packets or network logs against a list of signatures and incidents [4]. A typical NIDS configuration includes a patterns using string comparison techniques[8]. number of sensors to monitor network traffic, a NIDS Scanning network packets would be useful for an management server and one or more user interface online, real time detection system whereas scanning consoles for human interaction with the IDS. The network logs would be more suitable in finding out if analysis of network traffic may occur at either the an attack had taken place in the past. A limitation of sensor and/or the management server.
Recommended publications
  • Uila Supported Apps
    Uila Supported Applications and Protocols updated Oct 2020 Application/Protocol Name Full Description 01net.com 01net website, a French high-tech news site. 050 plus is a Japanese embedded smartphone application dedicated to 050 plus audio-conferencing. 0zz0.com 0zz0 is an online solution to store, send and share files 10050.net China Railcom group web portal. This protocol plug-in classifies the http traffic to the host 10086.cn. It also 10086.cn classifies the ssl traffic to the Common Name 10086.cn. 104.com Web site dedicated to job research. 1111.com.tw Website dedicated to job research in Taiwan. 114la.com Chinese web portal operated by YLMF Computer Technology Co. Chinese cloud storing system of the 115 website. It is operated by YLMF 115.com Computer Technology Co. 118114.cn Chinese booking and reservation portal. 11st.co.kr Korean shopping website 11st. It is operated by SK Planet Co. 1337x.org Bittorrent tracker search engine 139mail 139mail is a chinese webmail powered by China Mobile. 15min.lt Lithuanian news portal Chinese web portal 163. It is operated by NetEase, a company which 163.com pioneered the development of Internet in China. 17173.com Website distributing Chinese games. 17u.com Chinese online travel booking website. 20 minutes is a free, daily newspaper available in France, Spain and 20minutes Switzerland. This plugin classifies websites. 24h.com.vn Vietnamese news portal 24ora.com Aruban news portal 24sata.hr Croatian news portal 24SevenOffice 24SevenOffice is a web-based Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. 24ur.com Slovenian news portal 2ch.net Japanese adult videos web site 2Shared 2shared is an online space for sharing and storage.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyrighted Material
    Anonymizing 1 Your Activities In our daily lives we like to have a certain level of privacy. We have curtains on our win- dows, doors for our offices, and even special screen protectors for computers to keep out prying eyes. This idea of wanting privacy also extends to the use of the Internet. We do not want people knowing what we typed in Google, what we said in our Instant Message conversations, or what websites we visited. Unfortunately, your private information is largely available if someone is watching. When doing any number of things on the Internet, there are plenty of reasons you might want to go incognito. However, that does not mean you’re doing anything wrong or illegal. he justification for anonymity when researching malware and bad guys is pretty Tstraightforward. You do not want information to show up in logs and other records that might tie back to you or your organization. For example, let’s say you work at a finan- cial firm and you recently detected that a banking trojan infected several of your systems. You collected malicious domain names, IP addresses, and other data related to the malware. The next steps you take in your research may lead you to websites owned by the criminals. As a result, if you are not taking precautions to stay anonymous, your IP address will show up in various logs and be visible to miscreants. If the criminals can identify you or the organization from which you conduct your research, they may COPYRIGHTEDchange tactics or go into hiding, MATERIAL thus spoiling your investigation.
    [Show full text]
  • Design of a Blocking-Resistant Anonymity System DRAFT
    Design of a blocking-resistant anonymity system DRAFT Roger Dingledine Nick Mathewson The Tor Project The Tor Project [email protected] [email protected] Abstract Internet censorship is on the rise as websites around the world are increasingly blocked by government-level firewalls. Although popular anonymizing networks like Tor were originally designed to keep attackers from tracing people’s activities, many people are also using them to evade local censorship. But if the censor simply denies access to the Tor network itself, blocked users can no longer benefit from the security Tor offers. Here we describe a design that builds upon the current Tor network to provide an anonymiz- ing network that resists blocking by government-level attackers. 1 Introduction and Goals Anonymizing networks like Tor [11] bounce traffic around a network of encrypting relays. Unlike encryption, which hides only what is said, these networks also aim to hide who is communicat- ing with whom, which users are using which websites, and similar relations. These systems have a broad range of users, including ordinary citizens who want to avoid being profiled for targeted advertisements, corporations who don’t want to reveal information to their competitors, and law en- forcement and government intelligence agencies who need to do operations on the Internet without being noticed. Historical anonymity research has focused on an attacker who monitors the user (call her Alice) and tries to discover her activities, yet lets her reach any piece of the network. In more modern threat models such as Tor’s, the adversary is allowed to perform active attacks such as modifying communications to trick Alice into revealing her destination, or intercepting some connections to run a man-in-the-middle attack.
    [Show full text]
  • Everyone's Guide to Bypassing Internet Censorship
    EVERYONE’S GUIDE TO BY-PASSING INTERNET CENSORSHIP FOR CITIZENS WORLDWIDE A CIVISEC PROJECT The Citizen Lab The University of Toronto September, 2007 cover illustration by Jane Gowan Glossary page 4 Introduction page 5 Choosing Circumvention page 8 User self-assessment Provider self-assessment Technology page 17 Web-based Circumvention Systems Tunneling Software Anonymous Communications Systems Tricks of the trade page 28 Things to remember page 29 Further reading page 29 Circumvention Technologies Circumvention technologies are any tools, software, or methods used to bypass Inter- net filtering. These can range from complex computer programs to relatively simple manual steps, such as accessing a banned website stored on a search engine’s cache, instead of trying to access it directly. Circumvention Providers Circumvention providers install software on a computer in a non-filtered location and make connections to this computer available to those who access the Internet from a censored location. Circumvention providers can range from large commercial organi- zations offering circumvention services for a fee to individuals providing circumven- tion services for free. Circumvention Users Circumvention users are individuals who use circumvention technologies to bypass Internet content filtering. 4 Internet censorship, or content filtering, has become a major global problem. Whereas once it was assumed that states could not control Internet communications, according to research by the OpenNet Initiative (http://opennet.net) more than 25 countries now engage in Internet censorship practices. Those with the most pervasive filtering policies have been found to routinely block access to human rights organi- zations, news, blogs, and web services that challenge the status quo or are deemed threatening or undesirable.
    [Show full text]
  • Promoting Global Internet Freedom: Government and Industry Initiatives
    Promoting Global Internet Freedom: Government and Industry Initiatives (name redacted) Specialist in Internet and Telecommunications Policy June 1, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R41837 Promoting Global Internet Freedom: Government and Industry Initiatives Summary Modern communication tools such as the Internet provide a relatively inexpensive, accessible, easy-entry means of sharing ideas, information, and pictures around the world. In a political and human rights context, in closed societies when the more established, formal news media is denied access to or does not report on specified news events, the Internet has become an alternative source of media, and sometimes a means to organize politically. The openness and the freedom of expression allowed through social networking sites, as well as the blogs, video sharing sites, and other tools of today’s communications technology, have proven to be an unprecedented and often disruptive force in some closed societies. Governments that seek to maintain their authority and control the ideas and information their citizens receive are often caught in a dilemma: they feel that they need access to the Internet to participate in commerce in the global market and for economic growth and technological development, but fear that allowing open access to the Internet potentially weakens their control over their citizens. Internet freedom can be promoted in two ways, through legislation that mandates or prohibits certain activities, or through industry self-regulation. Past legislation has been aimed at prohibiting or requiring the reporting of the sale of Internet technologies and provision of Internet services to “Internet-restricting countries” (as determined by the State Department).
    [Show full text]
  • Threat Modeling and Circumvention of Internet Censorship by David Fifield
    Threat modeling and circumvention of Internet censorship By David Fifield A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor J.D. Tygar, Chair Professor Deirdre Mulligan Professor Vern Paxson Fall 2017 1 Abstract Threat modeling and circumvention of Internet censorship by David Fifield Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science University of California, Berkeley Professor J.D. Tygar, Chair Research on Internet censorship is hampered by poor models of censor behavior. Censor models guide the development of circumvention systems, so it is important to get them right. A censor model should be understood not just as a set of capabilities|such as the ability to monitor network traffic—but as a set of priorities constrained by resource limitations. My research addresses the twin themes of modeling and circumvention. With a grounding in empirical research, I build up an abstract model of the circumvention problem and examine how to adapt it to concrete censorship challenges. I describe the results of experiments on censors that probe their strengths and weaknesses; specifically, on the subject of active probing to discover proxy servers, and on delays in their reaction to changes in circumvention. I present two circumvention designs: domain fronting, which derives its resistance to blocking from the censor's reluctance to block other useful services; and Snowflake, based on quickly changing peer-to-peer proxy servers. I hope to change the perception that the circumvention problem is a cat-and-mouse game that affords only incremental and temporary advancements.
    [Show full text]
  • Free Cgi Proxy Script
    Free cgi proxy script click here to download There have been many other proxy software scripts in the past, such as Glype, PHProxy, CGIProxy, Surrogafier, ASProxy, Zelune but all have either perished. This CGI script (or other) acts as an HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP proxy. Here's a demo (username "free", password "speech"), that lets you browse. Surf the web with phpMyProxy. phpMyProxy is a free, light and powerful php proxy script programed by www.doorway.ru If you use this template, keep the link to Free CSS Templates intact. cgi proxy script free download. Guacamole Install Script The script installs dependencies and configure the OS automatically for you in order to obtain. FREE CGI Web Proxy List contains list of cgi/php proxies that are publicly accessed at the moment. Public CGI (Web, PHP) anonymous proxy free list. WEB/WWW servers) servers running a proxy in the form of a CGI script/program (Common. Are you looking to start your own PHP/CGI/Perl web proxy site? We have created an up-to-date list of free and working web-based proxy scripts available for. Proxy website with hosted proxy bypass scripts. Proxy scripts (also known as CGI proxies) work by modifiying the content of the requested page to send subsequent requests back to All are powerful, easily customizable and free. Download CGIProxy. This CGI script (or other) acts as an HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP proxy. Through it, you can retrieve any resource that is accessible from the. start your proxy site with these 3 great free proxy scripts.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents
    HANDBOOK FOR BLOGGERS AND CYBER-DISSIDENTS REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS MARCH 2008 Файл загружен с http://www.ifap.ru HANDBOOK FOR BLOGGERS AND CYBER-DISSIDENTS CONTENTS © 2008 Reporters Without Borders 04 BLOGGERS, A NEW SOURCE OF NEWS Clothilde Le Coz 07 WHAT’S A BLOG ? LeMondedublog.com 08 THE LANGUAGE OF BLOGGING LeMondedublog.com 10 CHOOSING THE BEST TOOL Cyril Fiévet, Marc-Olivier Peyer and LeMondedublog.com 16 HOW TO SET UP AND RUN A BLOG The Wordpress system 22 WHAT ETHICS SHOULD BLOGUEURS HAVE ? Dan Gillmor 26 GETTING YOUR BLOG PICKED UP BY SEARCH-ENGINES Olivier Andrieu 32 WHAT REALLY MAKES A BLOG SHINE ? Mark Glaser 36 P ERSONAL ACCOUNTS • SWITZERLAND: “” Picidae 40 • EGYPT: “When the line between journalist and activist disappears” Wael Abbas 43 • THAILAND : “The Web was not designed for bloggers” Jotman 46 HOW TO BLOG ANONYMOUSLY WITH WORDPRESS AND TOR Ethan Zuckerman 54 TECHNICAL WAYS TO GET ROUND CENSORSHIP Nart Villeneuve 71 ENS URING YOUR E-MAIL IS TRULY PRIVATE Ludovic Pierrat 75 TH E 2008 GOLDEN SCISSORS OF CYBER-CENSORSHIP Clothilde Le Coz 3 I REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS INTRODUCTION BLOGGERS, A NEW SOURCE OF NEWS By Clothilde Le Coz B loggers cause anxiety. Governments are wary of these men and women, who are posting news, without being professional journalists. Worse, bloggers sometimes raise sensitive issues which the media, now known as "tradition- al", do not dare cover. Blogs have in some countries become a source of news in their own right. Nearly 120,000 blogs are created every day. Certainly the blogosphere is not just adorned by gems of courage and truth.
    [Show full text]
  • 20141228-Spiegel-Overview on Internet Anonymization Services On
    (C//REL) Internet Anonymity 2011 TOP SECRET//COMINT REL TO USA,FVEY Jt * (C//REL) What is Internet Anonymity? (U) Many Possible Meanings/Interpretations (S//REL) Simply Not Using Real Name for Email (S//REL) Private Forum with Unadvertised Existence (S//REL) Unbeatable Endpoint on Internet (S//REL) This Talk Concerns Endpoint Location (S//REL) The Network Address (IP Address) is Crucial (S//REL) It is Not Always Sufficient, However • (S//REL) Dynamic IP Address • (S//REL) Mobile Device TOP SECRET//COMINT REL TO USA,FVEY FT ^I^hHHPPI^^B äim f (C//REL) What is Internet Anonymity? (S//REL) Anonymity Is Not Simply Encryption (S//REL) Encryption Can Simply Hide Content (S//REL) Anonymity Masks the MetaData and hence association with user (S//SI//REL) Importance of MetaData to SIGINT post-2001 can not be overstated (S//REL) There is also anonymity specifically for publishing information (S//REL) Beyond the Scope of this Talk! (U) Anonymity is the antithesis of most business transactions (but encryption may be crucial) (U) Authentication for monetary exchange (U) Marketing wants to know customer well (U) The same goes for Taxing Authorities :-) TOP SECRET//COMINT REL TO USA,FVEY 3 A j. • " * (C//REL) Who Wants Internet ity2 Vm k m j®- * k (U) All Technology is Dual-Use - (U) Nuclear Weapon to Plug Oil Well - (U) Homicide by Hammer (U) Internet Anonymity for Good T - (U) Anonymous Surveys (Ex: Diseases) - (U) Human Rights Bloggers - (U) HUMINT Sources TOP SECRET//COMINT REL TO USA,FVEY 4 , A - Jt (C//REL) Who Wants Internet m •A w (U) Internet
    [Show full text]
  • Rapport Internet 2004 Gb
    HANDBOOK FOR BLOGGERS AND CYBER-DISSIDENTS REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS MARCH 2008 HANDBOOK FOR BLOGGERS AND CYBER-DISSIDENTS REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS HANDBOOK FOR BLOGGERS AND CYBER-DISSIDENTS CONTENTS © 2008 Reporters Without Borders 04 BLOGGERS, A NEW SOURCE OF NEWS Clothilde Le Coz 07 WHAT’S A BLOG ? LeMondedublog.com 08 THE LANGUAGE OF BLOGGING LeMondedublog.com 10 CHOOSING THE BEST TOOL Cyril Fiévet, Marc-Olivier Peyer and LeMondedublog.com 16 HOW TO SET UP AND RUN A BLOG The Wordpress system 22 WHAT ETHICS SHOULD BLOGUEURS HAVE ? Dan Gillmor 26 GETTING YOUR BLOG PICKED UP BY SEARCH-ENGINES Olivier Andrieu 32 WHAT REALLY MAKES A BLOG SHINE ? Mark Glaser 36 PERSONAL ACCOUNTS • SWITZERLAND: “” Picidae 40 • EGYPT: “When the line between journalist and activist disappears” Wael Abbas 43 • THAILAND : “The Web was not designed for bloggers” Jotman 46 HOW TO BLOG ANONYMOUSLY WITH WORDPRESS AND TOR Ethan Zuckerman 54 TECHNICAL WAYS TO GET ROUND CENSORSHIP Nart Villeneuve 71 ENSURING YOUR E-MAIL IS TRULY PRIVATE Ludovic Pierrat 75 THE 2008 GOLDEN SCISSORS OF CYBER-CENSORSHIP Clothilde Le Coz 3 I REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS mine INTRODUCTION BLOGGERS, A NEW SOURCE OF NEWS By Clothilde Le Coz B loggers cause anxiety. Governments are wary of these men and women, who are posting news, without being professional journalists. Worse, bloggers sometimes raise sensitive issues which the media, now known as "tradition- al", do not dare cover. Blogs have in some countries become a source of news in their own right. Nearly 120,000 blogs are created every day. Certainly the blogosphere is not just adorned by gems of courage and truth.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. Initiatives to Promote Global Internet Freedom: Issues, Policy, and Technology
    U.S. Initiatives to Promote Global Internet Freedom: Issues, Policy, and Technology Patricia Moloney Figliola, Coordinator Specialist in Internet and Telecommunications Policy Kennon H. Nakamura Analyst in Foreign Affairs Casey L. Addis Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs Thomas Lum Specialist in Asian Affairs April 5, 2010 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R41120 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress U.S. Initiatives to Promote Global Internet Freedom: Issues, Policy, and Technology Summary Modern means of communications, led by the Internet, provide a relatively inexpensive, open, easy-entry means of sharing ideas, information, pictures, and text around the world. In a political and human rights context, in closed societies when the more established, formal news media is denied access to or does not report on specified news events, the Internet has become an alternative source of media, and sometimes a means to organize politically. The openness and the freedom of expression allowed through blogs, social networks, video sharing sites, and other tools of today’s communications technology has proven to be an unprecedented and often disruptive force in some closed societies. Governments that seek to maintain their authority and control the ideas and information their citizens receive are often caught in a dilemma: they feel that they need access to the Internet to participate in commerce in the global market and for economic growth and technological development, but fear that allowing open access to the Internet potentially weakens their control over their citizens. Legislation now under consideration in the 111th Congress would mandate that U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. Initiatives to Promote Global Internet Freedom: Issues, Policy, and Technology
    U.S. Initiatives to Promote Global Internet Freedom: Issues, Policy, and Technology Patricia Moloney Figliola, Coordinator Specialist in Internet and Telecommunications Policy Kennon H. Nakamura Analyst in Foreign Affairs Casey L. Addis Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs Thomas Lum Specialist in Asian Affairs September 8, 2010 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R41120 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress U.S. Initiatives to Promote Global Internet Freedom: Issues, Policy, and Technology Summary Modern means of communications, led by the Internet, provide a relatively inexpensive, open, easy-entry means of sharing ideas, information, pictures, and text around the world. In a political and human rights context, in closed societies when the more established, formal news media is denied access to or does not report on specified news events, the Internet has become an alternative source of media, and sometimes a means to organize politically. The openness and the freedom of expression allowed through blogs, social networks, video sharing sites, and other tools of today’s communications technology has proven to be an unprecedented and often disruptive force in some closed societies. Governments that seek to maintain their authority and control the ideas and information their citizens receive are often caught in a dilemma: they feel that they need access to the Internet to participate in commerce in the global market and for economic growth and technological development, but fear that allowing open access to the Internet potentially weakens their control over their citizens. The ongoing situation of Google in China is representative of these issues.
    [Show full text]