Egyptians Subvert System By Finding New Ways to Get Online

[Ponce]

Without Internet, Egyptians Subvert System By Finding New Ways to Get Online - Why Haven't You?


IDG News Service - "When countries block, we evolve," an activist with the group We Rebuild wrote in a Twitter message on Friday.

That's just what many Egyptians have been doing this week, as groups like We Rebuild scramble to keep the country connected to the outside world, turning to landline telephones, fax machines and even ham radio to keep information flowing in and out of the country.

Although one Internet service provider -- Noor Group -- remains in operation, Egypt's government abruptly ordered the rest of the country's ISPs to shut down their services just after midnight local time Thursday. Mobile networks have also been turned off in some areas.

The blackout appears designed to disrupt organization of the country's growing protest movement, which is calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

"[B]asically, there are three ways of getting information out right now -- get access to the Noor ISP (which has about 8% of the market), use a land line to call someone, or use dial-up," Jillian York, a researcher with the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, said via e-mail.

Egyptians with dial-up modems get no Internet connection when they call into their local ISP, but calling an international number to reach a modem in another country gives them a connection to the outside world.

We Rebuild is looking to expand those dial-up options. It has set up a dial-up phone number in Sweden and is compiling a list of other numbersEgyptians can call. It is also distributing information about its activities on a Wiki page.


One of the dial-up numbers is run by a small ISP called the French Data Network, which said it was the first time it had set up such a service. Its modem has been providing a connection "every few minutes," said Benjamin Bayart, FDN's president, speaking in an online chat.


[Related RedactedNews]
Dead Drops: When US Cyber Command Pulls the Net

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The international dial-up numbers only work for people with access to a telephone modem and an international calling service, however. So although mobile networks have been suspended in some areas, people have posted instructions about how others can use their mobile phones as dial-up modems.

The few Egyptians able to access the Internet through Noor, the one functioning ISP, are taking steps to ensure their online activities are not being logged. Shortly before Internet access was cut off, the Tor Project said it saw a big spike in Egyptian visitors looking to download its Web browsing software, which is designed to let people surf the Web anonymously.

"We thought we were under denial-of-service attack," said Andrew Lewman, the project's executive director. The site was getting up to 3,000 requests per second, the vast majority of them from Egypt, he said. "Since then we've seen a quadrupling of Tor clients connecting from Noor over the past 24 hours," he said.

Even with no Internet, people have found ways to get messages out onTwitter. On Friday someone had set up a Twitter account where they posted messages that they had received via telephone calls from Egypt. Atypical message reads: "Live Phonecall: streets mostly quiet in Dokki, no police in sight. Lots of police trucks seen at Sheraton."

Others are using fax machines to get information into Egypt about possible ways to communicate. They are distributing fax machine numbers for universities and embassies and asking people to send faxes to those numbers with instructions about how to use a mobile phone as a dial-up modem.

Members of the hacker group Anonymous have also been getting in on the act. They are reportedly faxing some of the latest government cables from Wikileaks, which reveal human rights abuses under President Mubarak, to locations in the country, according to Fortune magazine.

We Rebuild describes itself as "a decentralized cluster of net activists who have joined forces to collaborate on issues concerning access to a free Internet without intrusive surveillance." It has set up an IRC for people who can help with ham radio transmissions from Egypt.

They are trying to spread the word about the radio band they are monitoring so that people in Egypt know where to transmit. Some ham enthusiasts are setting up an FTP site where people can record what they hear and post the recordings.

So far, they say they've picked up Morse code messages. Allen Pitts, a spokesman for the National Association for Amateur Radio, said no one has picked up any voice transmissions from Egypt for the past couple of days.

But it's possible that people in Egypt are transmitting over shorter-range frequencies that carry only 30 or 50 miles, he said. One problem with ham radio is that most people who know how to use it in Egypt were probably trained by the military and may be opposed to the protests.

Others may be wary of transmitting because they are worried about who might be listening. During earlier protests in Iran and Tunisia, the governments clamped down on specific websites, but access to the Internet was not severed in such a wholescale fashion. It is not unprecedented though.In a blog post Friday written with a colleague, York from the Berkman Center for Internet & Society noted that in 2005 the government of Nepal cut off the Internet connection there, and in 2007 the Burmese government did the same in that country.

http://redactednews.blogspot.com/2011/01/without-internet-egyptians-find-new.html

[vacuum]

Great idea. But you don't even need a laptop....a smartphone would work. Just have a program that automatically grabs info from the dead-drop and desposits info from other dead-drops. It would take only a minute per drop location. You wouldn't even need to know what the files contain, just as you walk plug into one till your phone beeps, then unplug, and go onto the next one.

If there were enough of them, you wouldn't even need to know the location of the dead-drops. Just every time you see one, plug in. If enough people did that then information would spread...probably quickly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3pKF6gREFw&feature=player_embedded

[steyr_m]

This is why I've been advocating (along withDogman, osoab and others) for a communications sub-forum.....

[Hatha Sunahara]

Has anybody here heard of wi-fi? Is Centcom going to snuff out all the wireless routers? You don't have to plug into a wall. you just connect. Maybe no access to the internet, but to a local area network (LAN).

I think we'll see a lot of wireless LANs if the plug is pulled.

Dead Drops may be a last resort.


Hatha

[steyr_m]

I think we'll see a lot of wireless LANs if the plug is pulled.



Do you know the range of a 2.4 MHz signal? I think that most wi-fi desktop cards TX at 200-300 mW (I'm just going by memory, so I'm not sure). If you have a high gain antenna, you can maybe reach 1/2 mile away. How do you reach the next town/city/state/country? Regardless of your station, you'll be restricted to line-of-sight communications..... so your range will be very limited.

[MNeagle]

Does wi-fi, these signals need electricity?

[steyr_m]

Does wi-fi, these signals need electricity?


huh?

[vacuum]

I think we'll see a lot of wireless LANs if the plug is pulled.



Do you know the range of a 2.4 MHz signal? I think that most wi-fi desktop cards TX at 200-300 mW (I'm just going by memory, so I'm not sure). If you have a high gain antenna, you can maybe reach 1/2 mile away. How do you reach the next town/city/state/country? Regardless of your station, you'll be restricted to line-of-sight communications..... so your range will be very limited.

As I posted in the other thread, which no one seemed to notice:

Question: How much does it cost to make a 10 mile microwave link capable of 100+ Mbps?

Answer: About $160.
http://www.streakwave.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=NB-5G22&eq=&Tp=

[MNeagle]

Or can they be utilized via satellite?

The question: if the electricity is down, will laptops/wi-fi stuff work? I never thought so, but am seeing work-arounds mentioned. So I'm (a non-IT guru) confused.

[vacuum]

Or can they be utilized via satellite?

The question: if the electricity is down, will laptops/wi-fi stuff work? I never thought so, but am seeing work-arounds mentioned. So I'm (a non-IT guru) confused.

No they won't work. However, they require so little power that they could in theory easily be powered by a solar cell, wind turbine, micro-hydro system, car battery, etc.

[Libertytree]

While being able to communicate via the internet is important for a lot of reasons I'd like to point out the importance of real life, local comm's. I've been tinkering with this idea called "CAN", Community Action Network. It's just a simple concept of knowing who the people are within your local area that have similar beliefs and have a loose plan in case of an emergency for working together to deal with said event(s).

Question is...How do ya get it off the ground without really wanting it to get off the ground? Right now I have approx 4 others in my CAN but would like more. CAN's a great code word too. ;)

[steyr_m]

I think we'll see a lot of wireless LANs if the plug is pulled.



Do you know the range of a 2.4 MHz signal? I think that most wi-fi desktop cards TX at 200-300 mW (I'm just going by memory, so I'm not sure). If you have a high gain antenna, you can maybe reach 1/2 mile away. How do you reach the next town/city/state/country? Regardless of your station, you'll be restricted to line-of-sight communications..... so your range will be very limited.

As I posted in the other thread, which no one seemed to notice:

Question: How much does it cost to make a 10 mile microwave link capable of 100+ Mbps?

Answer: About $160.
http://www.streakwave.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=NB-5G22&eq=&Tp=


It takes more than an antenna. When you're operating in frequencies above about 50 MHz it's all line-of-sight. The formula to find out your range (I'm going by memory here) is SQRT(17 x H) so if your dish is 30' high... SQRT(17 x 9.144m) = 12.47 km = 7.75 miles.

You need a big honkin' tower too

[steyr_m]

Plus remember that the higher the frequency, the shorter the range....that's why you can reach around the world in the 10-20m bands

[Rebel Yarr]

You can expect that international dialed data connections will be unavailable by tomorrow - easy enough to cut off.

Your only hope in these situations is hitting signal repeaters with radio. Planning anything else to be functional is unreliable.

Steyr points this out - If you are interested in SHTF communications you had better get your license and find friendlies that will allow you on - or just have the tools to listen - cheap and easy enough that their are no excuses.

[MNeagle]

I'm guessing you mean ham license?

[vacuum]

I think we'll see a lot of wireless LANs if the plug is pulled.



Do you know the range of a 2.4 MHz signal? I think that most wi-fi desktop cards TX at 200-300 mW (I'm just going by memory, so I'm not sure). If you have a high gain antenna, you can maybe reach 1/2 mile away. How do you reach the next town/city/state/country? Regardless of your station, you'll be restricted to line-of-sight communications..... so your range will be very limited.

As I posted in the other thread, which no one seemed to notice:

Question: How much does it cost to make a 10 mile microwave link capable of 100+ Mbps?

Answer: About $160.
http://www.streakwave.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=NB-5G22&eq=&Tp=


It takes more than an antenna. When you're operating in frequencies above about 50 MHz it's all line-of-sight. The formula to find out your range (I'm going by memory here) is SQRT(17 x H) so if your dish is 30' high... SQRT(17 x 9.144m) = 12.47 km = 7.75 miles.

You need a big honkin' tower too


Yes, we're talking about a point-to-point microwave link which must be line-of-site. You don't necessarily need a big tower, or even a tower at all in some cases if you have hilly terrain.

This tool can easily determine if your system will work:
http://www.ligowave.com/linkcalc/
For the product I posted above, you could use a sensitivity of -92 dBm and a power of probably +13 dBm to be safe. Frequency is 5500 MHz.

Higher frequencies can indeed go far because you'd be using a high-gain antenna. The system I posted above is a 5 GHz system using 23 dBi antennas. You will only be able to pick up the other end of the link using these high gain antennas since they aren't omni-directional.

Also your formula isn't applicable here, only to the low frequency ham radio bands. The Friis formula is commonly used here....the ligo calculator likely uses it.

[Rebel Yarr]

I'm guessing you mean ham license?



I'm no expert on the topic - obviously many here are - but most of the time I have no idea wtf they are talking about. I'm not interested in Ham and licenses - I know GMRS provides all I need - but most Ham ops would scoff at the idea!. Here is some decent layman info... http://welcomehome.org/rainbow/tech/radios/

I think GMRS is good for those of us who don't want/need all the ham ability - but want a communication device if all other systems fail. Nice and cheap - lots of practical purposes outside of shtf too.

This is hands down the most awesome of them all - great for hunting parties and group comms. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6406

[Hatha Sunahara]

I was only thinking about the awkwardness of plugging your netbook to a dongle in the wall. If the internet is shut down, and you can't get access to it, you might still have access to a local wireless network that will perform the same function as the wall plug but less awkwardly.

If the government shuts down the internet, how long can they keep it down? An internet shutdown would have severe consequences in the economy. I would imagine it would not last long. It would do us all a lot of good to have some good old fashioned human face to face contacts, and take a short break from our computers. Liberty Trees Community Action Network sounds like a great idea to me.


Hatha

[Low_five]

Can they do porn over ham?

[Dogman]

Or can they be utilized via satellite?

The question: if the electricity is down, will laptops/wi-fi stuff work? I never thought so, but am seeing work-arounds mentioned. So I'm (a non-IT guru) confused.


Yes if you have a dc to dc adapter you can charge your laptop with your car/truck. also wifi stuff can run off
battery's.

Dc Adapters (http://www.google.com/search?q=laptop+dc+adapter&hl=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbs=shop:1&ei=_2xFTYTvNcjngQe12ayDAg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=5&ved=0CCoQ_AUoBA&biw=956&bih=449)

Satellites can also be an option, if there is a clear (non ptb controlled) up-link provider and you have the down-link equipment.

For laptops to charge up in a vehicle all you need is a dc power supply, that plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet.

[steyr_m]

Yes, we're talking about a point-to-point microwave link which must be line-of-site. You don't necessarily need a big tower, or even a tower at all in some cases if you have hilly terrain.

This tool can easily determine if your system will work:
http://www.ligowave.com/linkcalc/
For the product I posted above, you could use a sensitivity of -92 dBm and a power of probably +13 dBm to be safe. Frequency is 5500 MHz.

Higher frequencies can indeed go far because you'd be using a high-gain antenna. The system I posted above is a 5 GHz system using 23 dBi antennas. You will only be able to pick up the other end of the link using these high gain antennas since they aren't omni-directional.

Also your formula isn't applicable here, only to the low frequency ham radio bands. The Friis formula is commonly used here....the ligo calculator likely uses it.


Sorry buds, it is applicable. Line-of-sight frequencies need a higher antenna because the curvature of the earth limits the foot-print. In other words, the earth itself will block the waves. The higher the freq. the more of a direct path is needed.

Actually, it isn't applicable for "low frequency ham radio bands". They will bounce in the atmosphere to give world coverage, they don't use LOS.

I'm familiar with the Friis Equation; but you forgot one thing, here's the first rule....

The antennas are in unobstructed free space, with no multipath.

If the earth itself is in the way, there will be no RX.

[vacuum]

Playing with the calculator, it looks like the curvature of the earth is indeed significant at 10 miles. The other thing you need to make sure of when using microwave frequencies is that the first fresnel zone is clear. So it must be line-of-site + the first fresnel zone.
http://www.terabeam.com/support/calculations/fresnel-zone.php

[sirgonzo420]

Can they do porn over ham?


you are always a hoot.

:D

[Ponce]

OK, I don't know a thing about short wave but now I decided to get one.........can I now buy a short wave radio without being a ham?........after all, WTSHTF who the hell will care about a piece of paper, what kind should I buy and from whom?........thanks........Ham Ponce hahahahahahah.

[ShortJohnSilver]

OK, I don't know a thing about short wave but now I decided to get one.........can I now buy a short wave radio without being a ham?........after all, WTSHTF who the hell will care about a piece of paper, what kind should I buy and from whom?........thanks........Ham Ponce hahahahahahah.


You can listen but not transmit just by buying the radio. To transmit you are supposed to get a license.

[steyr_m]

Playing with the calculator, it looks like the curvature of the earth is indeed significant at 10 miles. The other thing you need to make sure of when using microwave frequencies is that the first fresnel zone is clear. So it must be line-of-site + the first fresnel zone.
http://www.terabeam.com/support/calculations/fresnel-zone.php


I have to be honest, I don't think microwave links are going to be practical. The requirements to set-up towers every 10-20 miles isn't practical. I think dial-up modems for direct PC-to-PC data communications will be good for awhile until all the telecoms are shut down. After that, it may be all ham. 9600 baud is standard on most radios with data capability. It doesn't sound like much, but sending a textfile message with a gpg signature is all you really need if SHTF.

Amateur satellite could be good for this too. This by-passes everything with packet capability....

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/status.php

[vacuum]

No idea what amateur satellite is, will have to look into it I guess.

[Ash_Williams]

I don't think an internet shut down is practical.
Probably half the businesses out there have a web-based system. Up here my bank does, as does the post office, liquor store, etc. A lot of gov stuff is web based too.
It would be total SHTF by the time the internet went down, and at that point the internet isn't gonna help you much anyway.

[sirgonzo420]

I don't think an internet shut down is practical.
Probably half the businesses out there have a web-based system. Up here my bank does, as does the post office, liquor store, etc. A lot of gov stuff is web based too.
It would be total SHTF by the time the internet went down, and at that point the internet isn't gonna help you much anyway.


That's pretty much the way I see it.

[Dogman]

I don't think an internet shut down is practical.
Probably half the businesses out there have a web-based system. Up here my bank does, as does the post office, liquor store, etc. A lot of gov stuff is web based too.
It would be total SHTF by the time the internet went down, and at that point the internet isn't gonna help you much anyway.


Agree!

If there is info on the net you need , download and burn to dvd, because it may not be there tomorrow.
As far as contact, landlines if they would still work or by transceiver (ham type) Or satellite if very lucky.

[nunaem]

Can they do porn over ham?


Only BBW pornstars like ham. :puke

[Ash_Williams]

Can they do porn over ham?

Packet radio... but it ain't quick.

[Low_five]

I think Im getting a ham radio now too.