RE: Global HIGH Security Risk

[John.Airey () rnib org uk]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Melvyn Sopacua [mailto:msopacua () idg nl]
> Sent: 04 February 2003 17:39
> To: Jonathan Rickman
> Cc: full-disclosure () lists netsys com
> Subject: RE: [Full-disclosure] Global HIGH Security Risk
>
>
> At 15:23 4-2-2003, you wrote:
>
> > So, he is somewhat correct on either issue. If the major 
> American carriers 
> > pulled
> > the plug, the Internet as we know it pretty much ceases to exist.
>
> That's the beauty of it. "The internet as we know it" is 
> redefined on a 
> daily basis.
>
> And that still doesn't constitute legal ownership, since the American 
> government,
> doesn't own American companies (the other way around is 
> subject discussion).

It looks like I had better clarify what I said, although I thought it was
clear enough in the first place. Perhaps it's a case of Humpty Dumpty "when
I use a word, it means what I want it to mean" (Alice in Wonderland).

Individual computers connecting to the Internet are the property of those
using it (unless you've stolen it, but then we've tracked you down already
and the police are on their way...). However, the core infrastructure could
be shut down by the US Government if it so wished (by virtue of the location
of the primary root A server). Like I said, this could be reconfigured
although the US Government could potentially shut all the roots down.

Given that the vast majority of traffic is web based and email which rely on
the DNS system, much of the Internet would disappear quickly, even though
the routes themselves would still exist. 

Of course, I forgot to mention that Al Gore invented the Internet anyway,
which I think was so good of him. (If Jon Postel was still alive though I'd
imagine he'd disagree).

- 
John Airey, BSc (Jt Hons), CNA, RHCE
Internet systems support officer, ITCSD, Royal National Institute of the
Blind,
Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU,
Tel.: +44 (0) 1733 375299 Fax: +44 (0) 1733 370848 John.Airey () rnib org uk 

Am I the only person in the UK who finds it strange that our Prime Minister
complains of Human Rights abuses around the world, yet wishes to opt out of
the European Convention of Human Rights?

- 

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