The Internet Society has been closely monitoring the ransomware cyber-attacks that have been occurring over the last couple of days. The malware, which has gone by multiple names, including WannaCry, WannaDecryptor, and WannaCrypt, exploits a flaw in Microsoft Windows that was first reportedly discovered by the National Security Agency (NSA). A group of hackers leaked the code for exploiting this vulnerability earlier this year, and a fix or patch was available as far back as March 2017. Since Friday, 200,000 computers in 150 countries have been compromised using this exploit. The numbers are expected to grow exponentially as people settle back into their work routines and regular use of computer systems this week.
WannaCry, or WannaCrypt, is one of the many names of the piece of ransomware that impacted the Internet last week, and will likely continue to make the rounds this week.
There are a number of takeaways and lessons to learn from the far-reaching attack that we witnessed. Let me tie those to voluntary cooperation and collaboration which together represent the foundation for the Internet’s development. The reason for making this connection is because they provide the way to get the global cyber threat under control. Not just to keep ourselves and our vital systems and services protected, but to reverse the erosion of trust in the Internet.
My interest in networking began during my time as a professor and head of the telecommunications lab at the University of Los Andes, in Merída, Venezuela, where we began experimenting with computer networks. I was one of the earliest Internet enthusiasts at our university. Our university was the first in Venezuela to get direct access to the Internet backbone in Homestead, Florida, by means of an antenna on the roof of our lab with the satellite modem in my office.
Is the Internet bringing us together? Or is it further dividing us? Will the Internet of the future be a force for social cohesion? Or will it lead to greater fragmentation?
Please join us on Thursday, May 11, from 12:30 - 14:00 BST (UTC+1) for a live video stream out of the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London, UK. In the session a panel of experts will address these and many related questions (view the longer description):
Following a successful first day discussing education at the first ever African Regional Internet Development Dialogue (RIDD) in Kigali, Rwanda, day two focused on the broader question on developing the Internet economy in Africa. In a mix of presentations and roundtables, delegates looked at the different challenges and opportunities for expanding the digital economy.
Dates 8-9 May, Kigali, Rwanda
The first ever African Regional Internet Development Dialogue (RIDD) was launched in Rwanda, Kigali on the 8 of May 2017, placing SDG 4 on Education at the center of the conversation of the first day of the meeting. Delegates had an opportunity to explore how the Internet can provide quick wins for education, but most importantly come up with real solutions that can be implemented immediately.
For Africa a skilled workforce that utilizes ICTs effectively is a key factor in determining its competitiveness in the global digital economy and fully exploiting its potential for sustainable growth. It is the basis for social and economic development, and the foundation of an Internet for everyone.
Starting December 2015, the Internet Society Asia-Pacific (ISOC APAC) Bureau in collaboration with local stakeholders including government, industry and the civil society, has led a series of endeavours to help further digital accessibility in Pakistan.
Building on the success of our work in Pakistan, and in an effort to replicate the learnings in other parts of the Asia-Pacific, we recently held a workshop on digital accessibility in Colombo, Sri Lanka, hosted by the ISOC Sri Lanka chapter.
Media leaders, including ISOC's Senior Director for Global Internet Policy, Constance Bommelaer, gathered at the World Press Freedom Day 2017 event in Indonesia to approve the Jakarta Declaration, which calls on governments to support encryption and on all journalists to use encryption to protect their research, their communications, their sources, and themselves. This is an important and positive signal to the international community.
In April 2017, the Internet Society (ISOC) and GÉANT signed a partnership agreement – in the framework of the CAREN3 project – to promote Internet Exchange Points (IXP) in Central Asia with a focus on Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The CAREN3 project supports regional Internet connectivity of National Research and Education Networks (NREN) in Central Asia and is principally funded by the European Union (EU).
A free and independent press, including online, is a pillar of vibrant societies. Yet, its future is in jeopardy.
Press freedom is declining across the world, as surveillance of journalists and violations of the confidentiality of sources become more common. Reporters are often victims of government orders to shut down media websites or blogs in the name of national security or public order.
On the 27th of April 2017, the 29th DNSSEC root-signing ceremony took place.
Two years ago, our “Collaborative Security Approach” proposed a way of tackling Internet security issues based on the fundamental properties of the Internet and the voluntary cooperation and collaboration that’s been prominent throughout the Internet's history. In this post, let us look at each of the five key Collaborative Security characteristics as they apply to security of the Internet of Things (IoT).
I'm Bruna Santos, a Brazillian tech policy nerd!
For the past three years I have worked as a legal advisor at the Presidency of Brazil, covering Human Rights and Internet Governance issues and taking part in interesting discussions on the Internet in Brazil in past years like the Marco Civil da Internet (Brazilian Civil Rights Framework for the Internet) and Data Protection bill draft. I am also an alumna of the Brazilian School of Internet Governance, a CGI.br fellow at the 9th Latin America and Caribbean Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Internet Governance Forum, an ICANN Fellow during ICANN58, and a very proud member of the Internet Society Special Interest Group Youth Observatory.
Last week in Geneva I presented the Internet Society's Internet Futures project during UNCTAD E-Commerce week. Each time I present this project, I gain new perspectives from people who care deeply about the Internet's future. One government participant wondered what the digital divide will look like in 5-10 years. Will the divide only be about access to technology or will new divides emerge? The implications of censorship, cybersecurity, national economic readiness, and education all loom large in the minds of our community when we think about digital opportunity in the future.
We at the Internet Society are always thinking about what’s next for the Internet and how our community can make a positive impact.
MENOG 17 took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Muscat, Oman on 19-20 April 2017 under the patronage of .om Domain Names Administration and the cooperation of RIPE NCC, the Internet Society, and OmanTel.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Middle East Network Operators Group (MENOG), a community of technical professionals such as Internet service providers, telecom operators, mobile operators, content providers, and regulators. The countries represented in MENOG are Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, KSA, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, UAE, and Yemen.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a concept that has a long standing tradition in the realm of science-fiction, popularized by Hollywood movies and iconic writers such as Isaac Asimov. However, AI has also received increased attention in recent years following news of progress in the field and the prospect of new, tangible, innovation such as self-driving cars. The Internet has played an important role in these developments, particularly as the platform for AI enabled services – some with significant implications for the continued development of a trusted Internet.
The world of today mostly buzzes with social media and hashtags. For a youth it’s a complicated dynamic world of Internet with tons and tons of messages and notifications that pop up every other minute, and where no Internet means no life.
As a journalist, blogger, activist and a consultant, the Internet made me who I am and still I am exploring the possibilities of my virtue. Nothing was easy but the point is standing for change.
I realized the power of Internet when I published a story in one of the citizen journalism sites, Ground Report, and it was picked up by Access Now and they launched an international campaign “Nepal Shutdown Showdown”.
We are young.
We have a bunch of emotions, energy and dreams.
As young people, we truly believe that our world can get better. Most of the time we do not have fears. We try new things, new trends, new food, and new technology. We are open to hear new ideas and fight for new causes. All this helps us to come up with innovative ideas.
I have seen lots of great ones!
Some of you have developed these ideas, and now you have projects, groups, businesses, and movements. However, not all of these ideas get the attention that they deserve.
But now you have the chance.