Monday 11 December 2017

Free speech, fake news, and a little ancient Egypt

Ptahhotep
If you want to endure in the mouth of those who hear, then listen, and speak after you have become a craftsman. If you speak to perfection, every project of yours will attain its goal. – Ptahhotep, Egyptian vizier, circa 24th century BCE 

One must wonder what Ptahhotep would say about today’s discourse hurled through cyberspace with astonishing ruthlessness. He’d probably be less impressed with the technology of the internet itself, attributing it to Heka, the ancient Egyptian god of magic.

Ptahhotep is notable for his book of wisdom, “The Instruction of Ptahhotep,” a behavior guide for young men considered one of the oldest books in the world. The book contains many notable maxims about speech, which was considered a skill to be learned and mastered. The ancient Egyptians viewed rhetorical skill as a balance between eloquence and wise silence. Looking at internet discourse, we could learn a thing or two from them.

“As for the ignorant man who does not listen, he accomplishes nothing. He equates knowledge with ignorance, the useless with the harmful. He does everything which is detestable, so people get angry with him each day.” 

“Only speak when you have something worth saying.” 

The technology of the internet may seem like a product of magic to people who wrote on wooden tablets and papyrus, but its content might seem prehistoric in its tone to people who existed even before Egypt.

Rhetoric was considered an art up to the Middle Ages, when the Church co-opted it for propaganda purposes to convert unbelievers and to keep the believing flock in check. The European Enlightenment saw the rejuvenation of rhetoric as a skill, helping to spread democratic ideals throughout European and the American colonies.

The cornerstone of those ideas is freedom of speech and press, unheard of in Ptahhotep’s time, when allegiance to the pharaoh was a requirement. Indeed, the concept of free speech is rarely mentioned in historical texts until the European Enlightenment. (While the ancient Greeks enjoyed relative free speech at times, Socrates was put to death for speaking out against the politics of his time.) Erasmus wrote, “In a free state, tongues should be free,” in The Education of a Christian Prince,” published in 1516. John Milton wrote a pamphlet in 1644 in which he argues against restrictions of freedom of the press. What follows is a progression of free speech advances: William and Mary established the English Bill of Rights in 1689. Voltaire wrote his letter to Monsieur l’abbe' in 1770. France instituted its Declaration of the Rights of Man in 1789. The United States passed its Bill of Rights in 1791. 

The United Nations made it a basic right in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed on December 10, 1948. The world had just witnessed the greatest manmade destruction in human history; at least sixty million people had perished and entire cultures and civilizations were scarred for eternity. There was a genuine desire by most to end war for good.

But eras of history are too often defined by the conflicts fought within in them.

Yesterday, the UN kicked off a year-long campaign to honor this foundational human rights document. As we reflect upon the meaning of the declaration today, we do it through very different eyes than those of the post WWII era. While the latter half of the twentieth century did see significant progress in improving the lives of millions, it is alarming that this progress is being increasingly forgotten or willfully ignored, not only by those authoritarian regimes you’d expect, but by Western democracies who have been some of the greatest champions of human rights. What does it mean for the rest of us if Western democracies are discarding those principles some of us only dreamed of?

Each day we hear of attacks on free speech and press, and many of these attacks center on the internet. Hundreds or thousands of human beings languish in jails across the planet for things they have written on blogs and social media. The pathetic excuses don’t vary too much – inciting protests, blasphemy, and hate speech are the most common reasons given for detaining someone – but these are usually euphemisms for some autocrat getting his feelings hurt by online criticism or who sniffs a threat to his absolute power. “Fake news” is a recent phenomenon that is starting to be grounds for detention all over the globe, thanks to the anti-free speech and press regime that has taken up residence in the Oval Office of the United States.

But fake news really does exist, and it may have had a hand in disrupting the democratic process in the USA, the UK, and other places. Disruptive governments have employed armies of social media soldiers to spread propaganda and sow the seeds of discord wherever they feel they may benefit. The virtual monopoly that Facebook and Twitter have over online discourse without any of the constitutional guarantees provided by governments to protect speech gives a very few control over the vast majority of online global communication, but the overreliance on algorithms to patrol the message boards leaves the platforms ripe for abuse. The perils of fake news give us pause to reflect upon what free speech means in the twenty-first century and what are its limits. Like yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater, manipulating social media for destructive purposes may cross that line. In fact, when one country does it to another, it is an act of war.

With freedom comes great responsibility. Ptahhotep wrote, “Do not repeat a slanderous rumor, do not listen to it.” It is our responsibility to think before we share, to do a little research so we do not spread falsehoods. Let's put a little dignity back into online discourse for the sake of freedom of speech. Human dignity is what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is all about.

Our commitment to human rights is unwavering. It’s why we exist and why we continually seek to improve our suite of internet freedom tools. We’re not a big international company. We like to think of ourselves as a social enterprise, born of Africa but made for the world, especially for developing countries.

We want to protect activists and journalists from the prying eyes of oppressive governments who would imprison them.

We want to give citizens in oppressive countries the tools to circumvent censorship.

We will continue to provide free tools to achieve these aims. You can help us do that by purchasing a VPN subscription if you have the means to do so. Or not. It’s up to you. For the price of a giant international chain store cup of coffee, you can give internet freedom to those who need it. Together we can #StandUp4HumanRights.

Friday 6 October 2017

Digital Divide: World Cyber Alerts - October 5, 2017


Policy
their legislation today could be yours tomorrow

Saudi flag and map

Saudi Arabia recently removed its 2013 ban on internet and voice over internet protocols (VoIP). According to the country’s Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), “This decision comes in line with recent trends in the ICT sector; the reliance on data revenues (Internet delivery) and added services is the global trend that operators in the Kingdom should take.” 




Privacy, Surveillance and Censorship
government isn't always on your side

Chinese flag and map



A leading Chinese messaging app, WeChat, has revealed that it will release the private information of users, including contacts and online searches, to Chinese authorities. WeChat currently boasts 662 million users. 

American flag and map



Cryptography experts have found a flaw in the United States National Security Agency’s push for Simon and Speck encryption protocols to become global industry standards: although the NSA maintains these are secure protocols, the organization can, in fact, break them

Chinese flag and map



China has added messaging app WhatsApp to its list of Facebook products banned in the country. The ban is seen as a measure to limit communication leading up to October 18’s Communist Party congress, which will determine future leadership. 




Research and Initiatives
making your world a more cybersecure place

Ghanaian flag and map


The continent of Africa now has its own internet domain: .africa. Users in Africa see the measure as a step towards “cyber independence” and fostering a continent-wide “internet community”. 

South African flag and map


The 2017 Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa was held in South Africa, marking the first time it was not hosted by Uganda. This year’s event recognized the second annual International Day for Universal Access to Information. 


Zimbabwean flag and map


The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe recently held its second Internet Governance Multi-Stakeholder Conference. Noted digital security trainer, Natasha Msonza, “There is no digital world and a real world, just as there are no human rights and digital rights. The two are not mutually exclusive.” 

Australian flag and map


Australia plans to build a cybersecurity cooperative research center (CRC) with funding from government, industry, and research partners. The CRC is, in part, a response to the fact that Australia ranks second to last in the world for collaboration. 





Cyberattacks
the threats we all face

British flag and map 

United Kingdom-based “Big Four” accounting firm Deloitte has suffered a cyberattack. The company reports that it has contacted “each of the very few clients impacted.” 






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Tuesday 3 October 2017

The Consequences of Internet Shutdowns

You might have seen the hashtag #KeepItOn across various social media platforms, but perhaps you don't quite grasp the severity of the problem it addresses. The hashtag was started by Access Now to bring awareness about an oft used tactic by regimes to control the online behavior of their citizens, the internet shutdown.

The excuses range anywhere from "to prevent students from cheating on exams" to "to prevent violent protests," but whatever the excuse, it is always a form of oppression.

Whether governments are blocking specific websites or shutting down the entire internet, the economic consequences are severe. The problem is particularly severe among African governments. In 2016 alone, 11 African countries disrupted internet communications. Since 2015, these interruptions have cost $235 million, according to a recent study conducted by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA). This at a time when the internet is making a significant contribution to the growth in GDP in many African countries.

You can get involved by visiting Access Now's #KeepItOn website. This shortsighted and undemocratic tactic must end.

Thursday 28 September 2017

VPN use in the Middle East

In a recent survey of internet users in Egypt, KSA, UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, and Tunisia conducted by Mideastmedia.org, 37% said they had concerns about governments checking what they do online, while 42% worried about companies checking what they do online. While these numbers are a sizable portion of the population, they are still too low.

The truth is, companies and governments alike want to know what you are doing online, not to mention thieves who salivate at the thought of getting your personal information, including your bank account. But more than money is at stake. Your life could be at stake. Government spies have used what they have gathered online against their own citizens, arresting them and imprisoning them in some cases.

Even lower than those concerned about privacy is the number of VPN users in these countries. VPN encrypts your information so that governments, companies, and cyberthieves can't see what you're doing online. Using a VPN is vital to protecting yourself and your livelihood.


In KSA in 2015, 52% worried about companies and 43% worried about government, yet only 7% said they used VPN when going online. Likewise, in Lebanon, 35% and 26% respectively are concerned about privacy, while a mere 3% use VPN. We aim to change that. With 1 GB free a month, you have no excuse to go unprotected. Get SumRando VPN today.

You can find the full study at http://www.mideastmedia.org/survey/2016/chapter/online-and-social-media.

Friday 1 September 2017

Digital Divide: World Cyber Alerts - September 1, 2017


Policy
their legislation today could be yours tomorrow

Indian flag and map


Privacy is the constitutional core of human dignity,” says India’s Supreme Court. The country joins the United States, Canada, South Africa, the European Union and the United Kingdom in recognizing this fundamental right. 


Chinese flag and map


China has a new internet policy: “For users who have not given identifying information, platforms for and providers of online communities may not allow posting of any kind.” In other words, real names must be used when posting online





Privacy, Surveillance, and Censorship
government isn't always on your side

American flag and map


Seven members of the United States’ National Infrastructure Advisory Council have resigned. Their letter of resignation accuses President Trump of giving “insufficient attention to the growing threats to the cybersecurity of the critical systems upon which all Americans depend.” 
Iranian flag and map 






In compliance with United States sanctions against Iran, Apple is “moving aggressively” to remove Iranian apps from its store. Most recently, the ride-hailing app Snapp was eliminated. 






Research and Initiatives
making your world a more cybersecure place

Russian flag and map



One thousand Russians protested censorship last week. The demonstration responds to measures such as a recent Putin-approved ban on VPNs, which will go into effect in November. 





Cyberattacks
the threats we all face

Pakistani flag and map 


A sustained cyber spying campaign has been carried out against India and Pakistan. Several groups working on behalf of an unnamed nation state are thought to be responsible. 






introducing 
SumRando Stash


SumRando Stash

SumRando Stash allows you to temporarily store files securely and anonymously for file transfer and file sharing needs. With SumRando Stash, mail providers are prevented from scanning your attachments and gaining insight into your personal activities, and you don't have to worry about fumbling with USB storage devices or multiple devices. Files automatically self-destruct in 1, 7, or 30 days. SumRando Stash is currently available for Android and the web - try it today!



All images credit of BOLDG/Shutterstock.com.
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Digital Divide: World Cyber Alerts - August 25, 2017


Policy
their legislation today could be yours tomorrow

American flag and map


Donald Trump has raised the status of the United States Cyber Command to that of a Unified Combatant Command. According to the American president's statement, the Obama-era policy “will strengthen our cyberspace operations and create more opportunities to improve our Nation’s defense.” 





Privacy, Surveillance, and Censorship
government isn't always on your side

Cameroonian flag and map 

Human rights groups are calling for the release of Radio France Internationale correspondent Ahmed Abba, who is serving a ten-year sentence in Cameroon for coverage related to the activities of Boko Haram. Said Reporters Without Borders’ Clea Kahn-Sriber, “The campaign will grow in strength if the authorities do not free Ahmed Abba.” #FreeAhmedAbba 




Research and Initiatives
making your world a more cybersecure place

Japanese flag and map



The second Japan-India Cyber Dialogue has strengthened the two nations’ commitment to an “open, free, secure, stable, peaceful and accessible” cyberspace. The dialogue will continue in Tokyo in 2018.




American flag and map


United States-based Apple has added an ‘Emergency SOS’ feature to its iPhone; hitting the power button 5 times will lock the fingerprint scanner and call the police, prohibiting attackers from forcing a phone to be unlocked. 



Chinese flag and map


China now has a cybercourt—a place to resolve online disputes. Said cybercourt Chief Justice Du Qian, “Not only will this make lawsuits as convenient as online shopping, but it will also give online shopping the same degree of judicial protection as consumption at bricks-and-mortar stores.” 

Liberian flag and map

Dr. Darren Wilkins, Managing Director of the Liberia Telecommunication Corporation, took advantage of a national cybersecurity forum to ask that greater attention be paid to digital safety: “We live in a time of rapid technology and social changes. The uncomfortable and inconvenient truth is that the more we experience these technological and social changes, the more we are vulnerable to cyber threats.” 




Cyberattacks
the threats we all face

Russian flag and map 

State-owned and private Ukrainian lenders have been warned of a new malware threat: “The nature of this malicious code, its mass distribution, and the fact that at the time of its distribution it was not detected by any anti-virus software, suggest that this attack is preparation for a mass cyber-attack on the corporate networks of Ukrainian businesses,” stated a letter from the Ukrainian central bank. 




introducing
SumRando Stash


SumRando Stash 
SumRando Stash allows you to temporarily store files securely and anonymously for file transfer and file sharing needs. With SumRando Stash, mail providers are prevented from scanning your attachments and gaining insight into your personal activities, and you don't have to worry about fumbling with USB storage devices or multiple devices. Files automatically self-destruct in 1, 7, or 30 days. SumRando Stash is currently available for Android and the web - try it today!



All cyber alert images credit of BOLDG/Shutterstock.com; SumRando Stash image credit of sumrando.com.
 
Want more emerging economy cyber alerts? Read on!
 
Want Emerging Economy Cyber Alerts sent to your inbox? Sign up for our weekly newsletter ("Security Tips and News" at bottom of page). 

Have valuable insight to share from your part of the world? Write for us!

SumRando Cybersecurity is a Mauritius-based VPN, Web Proxy and Secure Messenger provider. Surf secure and stay Rando!

Friday 18 August 2017

Digital Divide: World Cyber Alerts - August 18, 2017


Policy
their legislation today could be yours tomorrow

British flag and map

The United Kingdom has a new data protection bill: “The new data protection bill will give us one of the most robust, yet dynamic, sets of data laws in the world. It will give people more control over their data, require more consent for its use, and prepare Britain for Brexit” reported digital minister Matt Hancock. The bill, which includes a ban on the reidentification of anonymized individuals, would protect journalists and whistleblowers, but not researchers. 


Privacy, Surveillance and Censorship
government isn't always on your side

Chinese flag and map


Chinese social media platforms Weibo, WeChat, and Baidu Tieba are under investigation for potential violations of cybersecurity laws. The Cyberspace Administration alleges that users are “spreading violence, terror, false rumours, pornography and other hazards to national security, public safety, [and] social order.” 




Research and Initiatives
making your world a more cybersecure place

Emirati flag and map 
The United Arab Emirates plan to protect the government from “advanced persistent threats” with the Federal Network (FEDNet), an advanced cyber security network that will service 35 federal entities. The technology is the UAE’s response to WannaCry and Petya, viruses that hit government bodies earlier this year.




American flag and map 
The United States’ Palo Alto Networks has become the first cybersecurity company to engage in a Data Exchange Agreement (DEA) with INTERPOL. Sean Duca of Palo Alto Networks acknowledged, “This collaboration marks a mutual commitment to information sharing, which is necessary for preventing successful cyberattacks. Together with INTERPOL, we can continue to raise awareness and educate business leaders and reduce the collective cybersecurity risk over time.”

Chinese flag and map 

United Nations special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression has pushed back against Apple’s decision to comply with China’s request to remove Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) from its app store. Kaye requested “that Apple states a point of view and speaks up in the context of restrictions on fundamental rights.”

Australian flag and map


Human Rights Watch (HRW) has spoken out against Australia’s proposal to require device and internet companies to provide “appropriate assistance” to government agencies in accessing encrypted communications. Said Elaine Pearson of HRW Australia, “Unfortunately, Prime Minister Turnbull’s proposal could undermine cybersecurity and human rights worldwide.” 




Cyberattacks
the threats we all face

Brazilian flag and map



The Mamba ransomware is back. In 2016, it took over 2,000 computers belonging to San Francisco’s municipal railway; now, it is after Brazilian and Saudi corporations.

Russian flag and map



Russian hackers are using the American government-made exploit ETERNALBLUE to spy on hotel guests in the Middle East and Europe. ETERNALBLUE was leaked online in April; the campaign marks its first live use.

Indian flag and map



IT systems of an Indian infrastructure company were recently compromised by Chinese hackers. The goal of the attack was to “just observe” while gaining access to sensitive information.

Iranian flag and map



An investigative study has revealed that CopyKittens, an Iran-backed cyber-espionage group, is increasingly focused on attacks in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Israel, Germany, and the United States. The group targets governments and institutions in support of Tehran, Iran





introducing
SumRando Stash


SumRando Stash icon

SumRando Stash allows you to temporarily store files securely and anonymously for file transfer and file sharing needs. With SumRando Stash, mail providers are prevented from scanning your attachments and gaining insight into your personal activities, and you don't have to worry about fumbling with USB storage devices or multiple devices. Files automatically self-destruct in 1, 7, or 30 days. SumRando Stash is currently available for Android and the web - try it today!



All images credit of BOLDG/Shutterstock.com.
Want more emerging economy cyber alerts? Read on!
Want Emerging Economy Cyber Alerts sent to your inbox? Sign up for our weekly newsletter ("Security Tips and News" at bottom of page). 

Have valuable insight to share from your part of the world? Write for us!

SumRando Cybersecurity is a Mauritius-based VPN, Web Proxy and Secure Messenger provider. Surf secure and stay Rando!

Saturday 12 August 2017

Digital Divide: World Cyber Alerts - August 11, 2017


Policy
their legislation today could be yours tomorrow

Indonesian flag and map


Indonesia’s government has cancelled a ban on messaging app Telegram following a company decision to take measures to block unlawful content. Rudiantara, Indonesia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, has advised that other social media sites could be similarly evaluated in the future. 




Privacy, Surveillance and Censorship
government isn't always on your side

German flag and map 

German law enforcement is now able to monitor Android, iOS, and BlackBerry devices with the assistance of Remote Communication Interception Software (RCIS). With this newfound ability to directly install backdoors on targeted devices, the government will no longer look to technology companies to do so.

Chinese flag and map


China has asked Apple to remove Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) from the company’s app store—and Apple has listened. Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged, “We would obviously rather not remove the apps, but like we do in other countries, we follow the law wherever we do business.”


American flag and map

The United States-based Electronic Privacy Information Center has filed a legal complaint against Google in response to a new advertising program that links online behavior to in-person purchases—and gives Google access to the highly sensitive purchase history of millions of American shoppers. “Google is seeking to extend its dominance from the online world to the real, offline world, and the FTC really needs to look at that,” said Marc Rotenberg of the Federal Trade Commission. 



Research and Initiatives
making your world a more cybersecure place

Chinese flag and map



China’s Jinan Institute of Quantum Technology will soon release a quantum communications unit. To begin, the “unhackable” technology will connect 200 military, government, and financial officials in Shanghai and Beijing.



Singaporean flag and map

The 5th annual RSA Conference 2017 Asia Pacific & Japan was held in Singapore last month. Said RSA Conference Director Linda Gray Martin, “In recent months, we’ve seen more governments taking a pivotal role in shaping the cybersecurity landscape across Asia Pacific & Japan. The large turnout serves as a strong indicator that organizations are taking bolder steps towards their cybersecurity strategies.” 




Cyberattacks
the threats we all face

American flag and map 

An anonymous hacker has taken 1.5 terabytes of data from television network HBO. The hacker claims to have material from ‘Game of Thrones’; the American network has thus far only confirmed that “some of our programming” was compromised.





All images credit of BOLDG/Shutterstock.com.
Want more emerging economy cyber alerts? Read on!
Want Emerging Economy Cyber Alerts sent to your inbox? Sign up for our weekly newsletter ("Security Tips and News" at bottom of page). 

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SumRando Cybersecurity is a Mauritius-based VPN, Web Proxy and Secure Messenger provider. Surf secure and stay Rando!

Thursday 10 August 2017

SumTips: 7 Facts You Need to Know About Russia's VPN Ban

Russian flag and map
President Vladimir Putin recently signed a law that further restricts online privacy in Russia. Read on for highlights of the legislation.

1. The legislation does NOT ban all virtual private networks (VPNs); it requires VPNs to block users from all government-censored content or face shutdown.

2. The legislation includes a blacklist of online resources with restricted access.

3. The legislation requires messaging services to log and store users’ phone numbers.

4. The legislation has the disapproval of whistleblower Edward Snowden: “Banning the ‘unauthorized’ use of basic internet security tools makes Russia both less safe and less free. This is a tragedy of policy. If the next generation is to enjoy the online liberties ours did, innocuous traffic must become truly indistinguishable from the sensitive.”

5. The legislation was signed into law on July 30 and will be enacted later this year on November 1. It follows a 2015 measure that requires telecommunications companies and internet service providers to retain user data for up to a year….and increases government censorship prior to the March 2018 elections.

6. It’s bad, but it could be worse: The Red Web author Andrei Soldatov acknowledged, “I think the regulation is a bit outdated and very difficult to implement, but this law is still very dangerous, because it means all the internet service providers will be in violation, and this will be a good tool with which to put pressure on them.”

7. SumRando Cybersecurity's VPN will continue to strive to meet your online needs in Russia and worldwide.

Surf secure and stay Rando!


Image credit of BOLDG/Shutterstock.com.
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SumRando Cybersecurity is a Mauritius-based VPNWeb Proxy and Secure Messenger provider. Surf secure and stay Rando!