CommuniCrossings Software for Mobile Learning and Communication

Definition

"The theory behind a kill switch is creation of a single point of control for one authority or another to control in order to “shut down the internet to protect it” from unspecified assailants. The prospect of Cyber Warfare over the 2000s has prompted the drafting of legislation [Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act] by US officials, but worldwide the implications of actually of "killing" the Internet has prompted criticism of the idea in the United States. During the 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya access to the Internet was denied in an effort to limit peer networking to facilitate organization." ~Wikipedia

Other, less drastic forms of censorship will be discussed later.

• "Right now, China can disconnect parts of its Internet in times of war. We need to be able to do that too." ~Sen. Joseph Lieberman
  
  
• Summary: Presidential powers to shut down parts of internet indefinitely (only 4 months?) with no congressional oversight
  
  
• rationales: cyber 9/11 (fear); prevent power/utility grid takeover by hackers (except typically those aren't on internet); Chinese doing it (but so far only for censorship reasons; good role model?)
  
  
• problems: no traditional electronic borders; multiple international pathways; spoofing; predicting effects? domestic-only use? if implemented, security more vulnerable? (hackers would find a way to use)
  
  

Articles

• Internet Kill Switch (essay)
  
  
• When the Internet Nearly Fractured, and How It Could Happen Again
  
  
• Dictatorship 101: killing the internet plays into the hands of revolutionaries
  
  
• Why the revolution will not be tweeted
  
  
• Egyptians Were Unplugged, and Uncowed
  
  
• Syrian Internet Shutdown
  
  
• Iran Vows to Unplug Internet
  
  
• Libya Blocks Internet Traffic
  
  
• What Is the Best Way to Protect U.S. Critical Infrastructure from a Cyber Attack?
  
  
• Ex-CIA Chief Says US Gov't Should Be Able To Shut Down The Internet
  
  
• Just two Chinese ISPs serve 20% of world broadband users
  
  
• An Order of Seven Global Cyber-Guardians Now Hold Keys to the Internet
  
  
  
  

For more info: Network Access: Kill Switch

[updated: 04-Oct-2011] [.pdf]