Do You Want an Internet Kill Switch?

Would you agree to the government having a kill switch that shut down the Internet in the event of a malicious cyber attack?

The majority of Americans do:

Sixty-one percent of Americans said the President should have the ability to shut down portions of the Internet in the event of a coordinated malicious cyber attack, according to research by Unisys. […]

“A majority of the American population is willing to grant the President the authority to cut short their Internet access to protect both U.S. assets and citizens, suggesting that the public is taking cyber warfare very seriously,” said Patricia Titus, VP and CISO, Unisys. “Our survey shows that the American public recognizes the danger of a cyber attack and wants the federal government to take an active role in extending the nation’s cyber defense. It will be up to officials in all branches of the federal government to respond to this call to action in a way that is measured and well planned.”

Link


Call me paranoid, but I wouldn't give any president the authority to turn off my garbage disposal, let alone the galactic interwebs. Not portions, not anything.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
"Captain, it's a cyber-attack!"

"My god. Status report, Lieutenant. Have any of our Internets been compromised?"

"Not so far, sir, but we are receiving reports of SPAMs DDOSing our firewall with spyware!"

"Evasive action! Update all of our antivirus softwares and get IT on the horn. We need to defrag our registry, stat!"
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
"Sixty-one percent of Americans said the President should have the ability to shut down portions of the Internet in the event of a coordinated malicious cyber attack"

In other words, 61% of Americans have no fucking clue how the internet works. Wonderful. Presumably these people vote and have 'opinions' as well. Awesome. God bless America, because obviously we're in need of divine assistance.

Sometimes I wish i too were dumb enough to be both happy and confident, but I'd have to be so far gone that I wouldn't even realize that people like me were constantly groaning at the intellectually bankrupt nonsense I'd be vomiting in perpetuity.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
You can let your president shut off YOUR internet, but if he shuts off MY internet, then I'll backtrace him and report him to the cyberpolice, cause he dun goofed!
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I'm frightened by the concept of a kill switch itself more than I am that Obama might abuse it. Putting something in a centralized location that has the ability (nay, purpose) to shut down all internet activity sounds like one of the worst ideas I've ever heard...

What could possibly go wrong?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Should we give him permission to shut down all other news sources too? Because enemies of the state could be using them to spread false and harmful information. I think the obvious answer is no.

My brother who is in the Air force thinks the president should be able to shut down the internet to prevent an attack on all the ways the military uses the internet. I told him that regardless of how it got started the internet is now part an essential part of free speech, and there is no eff-ing way it should be shut down for military reasons. If they don’t like it build a dedicated network that isn’t tied in.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I'd prefer a method of protection rather than, say, the people in charge deciding there is too much dissent floating around. Because one big allegorical kill switch implies a bunch of little switches that can be used in a more discreet manner.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
But... But.... why!?!? What could people fear so much about a 'cyber attack' that they would want such a thing? I can't imaging how such a large 'attack' could take place anyhow, but that aside.. are they afraid that their computers will explode or something? This is confounding. It like.. giving the president a kill switch for telephones. Or television.

Internetz aside, when will we Americans stop trading freedom for safety (or, some would argue, the *illusion* of safety). What happened to Liberty or Death? Sheesh...
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 16 comments
Email This Post to a Friend
"Do You Want an Internet Kill Switch?"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More