New study from Paderborn: This is how we outsmart internet!

New study from Paderborn: This is how we outsmart internet!

Scientists from the University of Paderborn have published a pioneering study that deals with the bypass of internet gear. This research, which was presented today, aims to facilitate access to blocked websites and to develop new technologies that enable users in repressive regimes to overcome censorship measures. The focus is on censorship systems such as the "Great Firewall" in China and censorship in Iran, which serve as examples of extreme restrictions on freedom of information. According to the University of Paderborn, the team was awarded in mid-May at the "IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy" conference in San Francisco.

A central result of the study is the development of an open source tool called "Censor Scanner". This innovative tool is designed to encrypt Internet inquiries in such a way that they cannot be recognized or blocked by censorship systems. The tool tests various techniques for the circumvention of censorship systems and ensures that inquiries from real websites can be understood. An essential element of this method is the mechanism of the "Transport Layer Security" (TLS) protocol that is responsible for the safe encryption of internet connections.

techniques for circumventing censorship

The study shows that censors are able to analyze TLS messages because the first messages are sent unencrypted and thus reveal the name of the website. A successful method of circumventing this censorship is "TLS fragmentation". In this approach, the first TLS request is broken down into small parts, which hinders the censors in their analysis. In short, TLS fragmentation forces censors to keep the status and use memory for the recovery, which restricts the effectiveness of their measures.

In addition to this method, techniques for changing or covering information about the target website are also examined. All identified solutions are effective against censorship systems and are accepted by Internet servers, which indicates that the results of the study have the potential to increase access to information for people in authoritarian -controlled countries.

global censorship practices

The need for such technologies is underlined by the growing censorship practices worldwide. The Internet is considered a leading global communication medium, but is heavily regulated in many countries, especially in authoritarian regimes. Countries such as China, Iran and North Korea are known for their strict controls via the Internet, which often aim to suppress political statements and critical information. For example, users in China often confront error messages to give the appearance that blocked pages do not exist. In addition, many of these governments have developed special software to enable access to government -compliant content while blocking unwanted content.

For journalists, human rights groups and lawyers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to work on the Internet and exchange information. With special censorship measures, such as the content filter system in Saudi Arabia and the authorized intranet in Cuba, access to the global network is significantly restricted. According to the Federal Center for Political Education , many authoritarian governments have recognized that internet access is a potential threat to their power.

Developments in the field of censorship research and the introduction of new technologies to avoid these restrictions could help some users to find their way better in an increasingly censored digital world. The University of Paderborn therefore calls for increased censorship research to be able to support people in repressive regimes more effectively.