A taxonomy of internet shutdowns: the technologies behind network interference
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(2022), 45 pp., glossary p.39-45
"In this paper, we outline each of the various technical mechanisms for implementing a shutdown, and the options for mitigating each type. Our hope is that technologists and civil society groups working to end shutdowns will find this a useful technical resource to understand, prepare for, circumvent, and help document deliberate network disruptions." (Introduction)
Contents
1 Introduction: the purpose and audience for this guide, 2
2 What is an internet shutdown? 5
3 How internet shutdowns are implemented 6
Fundamental infrastructure shutdown -- Routing -- Domain Name System (DNS) manipulation -- Filtering -- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) -- Rogue infrastructure attack -- Denial of Service (DoS) attack -- Throttling
4 Where in the network a shutdown is implemented: an attribute to assess impact, collateral damage, and technical responsibility, 30
5 Scope: The intended and actual scope of a shutdown helps define its impact on affected populations, 36
6 Scale: The size of the affected population is a major factor in determining shutdown impact, 37
Addendum: Organizations and tools for detecting and documenting shutdowns 38
2 What is an internet shutdown? 5
3 How internet shutdowns are implemented 6
Fundamental infrastructure shutdown -- Routing -- Domain Name System (DNS) manipulation -- Filtering -- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) -- Rogue infrastructure attack -- Denial of Service (DoS) attack -- Throttling
4 Where in the network a shutdown is implemented: an attribute to assess impact, collateral damage, and technical responsibility, 30
5 Scope: The intended and actual scope of a shutdown helps define its impact on affected populations, 36
6 Scale: The size of the affected population is a major factor in determining shutdown impact, 37
Addendum: Organizations and tools for detecting and documenting shutdowns 38
