"Experts detail methods for ensuring access to internet domains despite national internet shutdowns"
In the digital age, the importance of maintaining access to essential services during internet outages cannot be overstated. This is according to Urvan Parfentev, the coordinator of the Center for Safe Internet.
While social media is unlikely to be included in the "white list" during outages, other mass-use services can still be ensured. According to Parfentev, the core technical implementation involves a multi-layered approach.
Firstly, Traffic Filter Rules are used to match traffic patterns based on various factors such as IP addresses, user agents, request headers, hostnames, geolocation, and URLs. These rules help identify and control access, creating a first layer of filtering to allow or block traffic before it reaches the service.
Enhanced Security or DDoS protection features include WAF-based rules that filter traffic flagged for SQL Injection, XSS, or abnormal patterns. Additionally, rate limiting is applied to incoming requests to prevent overload during outages or attacks.
To differentiate legitimate human traffic from bots or abusive requests, CAPTCHA systems are integrated. Modern CAPTCHA solutions like ALTCHA use adaptive methods that balance user friction and security. For most users, a Proof-of-Work (PoW) verification method provides a frictionless experience, while high-risk detections escalate to more secure, accessible challenges.
The CAPTCHA system dynamically responds to emerging threats by analyzing behaviour and risk, only challenging traffic that is suspicious. This enables mass-use services to remain accessible while mitigating bots and abusive traffic especially during degraded network conditions.
In the case of smart home services, Parfentev believes that their uninterrupted operation is a matter of personal safety. He notes that a shutdown could pose a risk to people. However, the issue of navigation services, such as calling a taxi during outages, is not yet mentioned in authorities' statements.
Parfentev also emphasises that people are more dependent on digital services than previously thought, and outages can disrupt daily routines. The technical implementation of traffic filtering and adaptive CAPTCHA verification ensures that during internet outages or high-traffic events, mass-use services can maintain availability by allowing genuine traffic through the CAPTCHA gate while filtering or blocking malicious or excessive requests.
- In the digital age, the role of cybersecurity in ensuring the availability of mass-use services, such as general-news and technology platforms, during internet outages is crucial, especially with the use of Traffic Filter Rules, enhanced security features, and adaptive CAPTCHA systems.
- Amidst the increasing reliance on digital services, maintaining cybersecurity measures like traffic filtering and adaptive CAPTCHA verification can significantly help in keeping essential services, such as cybersecurity, technology, and general-news platforms, accessible during internet outages or high-traffic events, thus preventing disruptions to daily routines.
