Tag: Freedom | SpinSafe

A chronicle of sacrifice, struggle for freedom

July 17, 2023/in Internet Security

Every year on July 13, Kashmir Martyrs’ Day (Youm-i-Shudaha-i-Kashmir) is observed in honor of the 21 Kashmiris who were killed by Dogra Maharaja’s soldiers on July 13, 1931, outside Srinagar Central Jail. In remembrance of these Kashmiris, the Kashmiris, especially their Pakistani brethren, mark this day on both sides of the Line of Control and throughout the world. The tyrannical treatment meted out to Kashmiri Muslims by Dogra forces is well documented in Kashmir’s history under the Dogra administration (1846–1947). They were living such a wretched life under Dogra’s authority that it was difficult to tell people apart from beasts. The norm back then was slave labor, high taxes, the death penalty for butchering cows, and perpetual terror. The prohibition of the EidKhutba (Sermon) on April 19, 1931, sparked extensive protests in the city of Jummu that lasted for many days. Immediately after, Dogra soldiers desecrated the Holy Quran, which caused indignation among Muslims across the state. To protest this blasphemy, thousands gathered in Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid. Prominent Kashmiris spoke during one such gathering that was organized in Khankah-e-Muella Srinagar. After the gathering, a young man named Abdul Qadeer shouted, “Destroy its every brick,” while pointing to the Maharaja’s palace. He was taken into custody right away after being charged with sedition. Due to strong public opposition, the court was moved to Central Jail Srinagar, where Abdul Qadir was supposed to be tried. Intense public protests were organized all across the city on July 12, 1931, in response to the court’s relocation.

Thousands of spectators descended on Srinagar’s Central Jail the following day, on July 13, 1931, to watch Abdul Qadeer’s secret trial. A young Kashmiri stood for the Azan as the hour for the required prayer drew near. Soldiers were ordered to shoot at him by Dogra Governor Ray ZadaTartilok Chand. He was martyred, and another young man began the Azan in his place. He too died from gunfire. 21 Kashmiris sacrificed their lives in this way to finish the Azan. People carried the corpses and marched through Srinagar’s streets while yelling anti-Dogra…

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Opinion: Banning TikTok stifles internet innovation and freedom

June 10, 2023/in Internet Security

The popularity of TikTok, a Chinese-owned short-form video-sharing app, has provoked concerns among American policymakers and proposals to ban the platform. Although data exfiltration concerns are hard to dispel, the costs of banning TikTok far outweigh any benefits to national security.

TikTok isn’t a particularly unique or valuable source of American data, but it is a potent distributor of American culture. Banning TikTok would quash the voices of Americans who favor the platform and undermine the open internet that has served America so well.

Concerns about TikTok fall into two categories. Critics fear that TikTok’s algorithm could be manipulated to serve Chinese interests and that user data could be collected and misused by the Chinese Communist Party. The first concern is ably addressed by TikTok’s Project Texas, a deal with Oracle to host TikTok in America on Oracle servers, where its algorithm can be audited. The second is harder to dispel.

Like other apps, TikTok collects user information such as location and stored media. TikTok needs this data to host and serve user speech, but it can be misused. Unlike other apps, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has its headquarters in China, where it is subject to China’s National Intelligence Law. Under the law, China can require its citizens and corporations to provide data relevant to state intelligence work.

There isn’t any evidence that TikTok is spying for the CCP. ByteDance’s only demonstrable misuse of user data was to track employees leaking information to journalists. But data is leaky, and employee access is hard to police. Under the National Intelligence Law, there is always a risk that ByteDance will be compelled to share TikTok user data with the CCP.

Further, there is little reason to believe TikTok is a unique intelligence goldmine. Other apps collect similar information, TikTok is not the only Chinese app used by Americans, and much of the more sensitive information TikTok collects, such as user location, can be purchased from unscrupulous data brokers. Absent broader data protections, banning TikTok at best forces China to buy Americans’ data instead of getting it for free.

To get vital data, China has repeatedly…

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Ransomware Attack Hits Marinette Marine Shipyard, Results in Short-Term Delay of Frigate, Freedom LCS Construction

April 20, 2023/in Internet Security

Shipyard workers at Fincantieri Marinette Marine on April 12, 2023. USNI News Photo

The Wisconsin shipyard that builds the U.S. Navy’s Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship and the Constellation-class guided-missile frigate suffered a ransomware attack last week that delayed production across the shipyard, USNI News has learned.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine experienced the attack in the early morning hours of April 12, when large chunks of data on the shipyard’s network servers were rendered unusable by an unknown professional group, two sources familiar with a Navy summary of the attack told USNI News on Thursday.

In a typical ransomware attack, attackers take the information on a server, encrypt it and set terms for a key that will unlock the data.

The attack on Marinette Marine targeted servers that held data used to feed instructions to the shipyard’s computer numerical control manufacturing machines, knocking them offline for several days. CNC-enabled machines are the backbone of modern manufacturing, taking specifications developed with design software and sending instructions to devices like welders, cutters, bending machines and other computer-controlled tools.

Based on information from the Navy, it’s unclear if the attackers stole any data.

In a statement to USNI News, Marinette Marine acknowledged there had been a cybersecurity incident at the shipyard.

“Fincantieri Marine Group experienced a cybersecurity incident last week that is causing a temporary disruption to certain computer systems on its network. The company’s network security officials immediately isolated systems and reported the incident to relevant agencies and partners. Fincantieri Marine Group brought in additional resources to investigate and to restore full functionality to the affected systems as quickly as possible, “ reads a statement from Fincantieri spokesman Eric Dent.

“Repair and construction operations continue at all three U.S. shipyards, however the company’s email and some networked operations remain off-line for now.”

Fincantieri would not elaborate beyond the statement. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson acknowledged a request for comment from USNI News but did not…

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