It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Originally posted by GarrusVasNormandy
reply to post by Tindalos2013
I do see your points, and I partially agree with them. But I still have my doubts.
We are not sure why exactly they are doing it. Iran has a reputation for doing one thing, while masking it with other intentions, even when their actions are valid and sound, they choose to put this curtain to keep an image that they think suits their objectives. Not that other countries don't do that, but they seem to want to show that they are always on top of everyone else, with some "pinch" of modesty and respect for others, or at least the idea of respect.
However, it's not a clear cut issue.
Like other members have stated, it's no secret that Iran is under constant cyberwarfare threat. Valid or not, it does happen, and they have been a victim of it several times with some serious consequences. Provably the only reason why it wasn't even worst, was because cyberwarfare is still in it's infant stages and can't produce much damage. Maybe when we reach the point of advanced A.I. or some sort of independent software that "thinks" and acts by itself with more complex powers.
For that reason, they do seem to have a valid point and objective in disconnecting from the rest of the world network. I think it's something that is not restrict only to the internet. A lot of countries are showing a deep desire into cutting dependency ties with U.S./allied necessities. From monetary (not trading in US dollars) to things like this.
As for the influence, I think we all are a little dillusional about the power of censorship. Just because their information network is closed to the rest of the world, doesn't mean they will have the power to control everyone, or even the majority of the people. Case in point: North Korea.
NK is provably one of the most isolated and 'cold' places on Earth. Yet, people are able to escape, and even inside NK, some people are able to take pictures, make videos, and somehow, with a lot of bravery, they can leak it and show it to the world.
If that happens in a place like NK that is under tight control since the 50's, I have serious doubt it will be easily accomplished in a country that is actually one of the most open-minded in the Middle East. We can talk all we want about the powers in Iran and how corrupted/evil they are, but the people in Iran have shown in the past that they can have a very clear view on world issues, while still maintaining their cultural identity.
I'm not a IT kind of guy, but I know some concepts. For instance, isn't it possible that they are just isolating their most important connections, starting to be independent of western internet proxies and services, and start opting for their own? I was under the impression you can isolate your network, but still allow certain very controlled connections to the outside.
We'll have to wait and see how serious this will be. It's very well possible that in a short time, we will stop hearing from Iran, from within. They may have a very nationalist press, but at least they show their point of view to the world. If they cut that, it's not only the iranian people who are under threat by their government. They are actually setting them in a sweet spot where anyone can say whatever they want about them, that there will not be a response or a counter-argument from the Iran side. I don't know if that's good or bad, to be honest.
I just don't understand the need for all this. If they have security issues, then just "quarantine" vulnerable positions. Don't send sensitive information through surveilled channels and all that crap. They should go back to the old means of information flow, while still maintaining what they have, instead of just dropping everything.
My main point is in the "is it worth it?" part. If the U.S., or Israel, or any other country, does want to attack Iran through virus and all that... Can't they just send a spy with a USB-pen inside Iran, and plug it into their own network?
It's the "citadel" problem in military strategy, best explained by the Trojan Horse in ancient history of Troy. You can make the biggest walls, and the hardest gates, isolating yourself from any possible enemy. That works fine until the enemy infiltrates your citadel and takes you where you don't even have defenses.
Iran is stepping up their intranet for that, and the U.S. isn't stupid.
Originally posted by _R4t_
An anti-virus in this context is useless...