Internet Kill Switch

I found this article particularly interesting because it is written for the Australian papers and thus from non-US centric point of view:
Obama internet 'kill switch' proposed (http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/obama-internet-kill-switch-proposed-20100618-yln6.html)

This article gives what I think is a balanced view of the proposed legislation:

Internet Kill Switch Proposed For President - cbs4.com (http://cbs4.com/local/internet.freedom.regulation.2.1757643.html)

Bottomline, Congress may give the President the legal ability to take over, and/or shutdown the internet in a national emergency. Nowadays, that's probably a more scary button then the one to launch the nukes. Further, the bill limits liability of companies if their software somehow screws up in an emergency.

Just think if suddenly the internet was gone, not just for the Warpath, but for all the financial, business, and massive data that flows non-stop. The Australian article compared it to the ability to control the atmosphere. It is amazing that the internet is so entwined into the world fabric. (Thanks Al G! ;))

Al Gore really out did himself when he invernted this Internet. WOW no norp if Obama hits the button? scary

Is there anything the government thinks it shouldn't control? Air, water, cyberspace, it never ends.

There is absolutely no need for this.

Everybody bitches about it until one day a worm steals all of your money and sends it to a bank account in Africa.

Everybody bitches about it until one day a worm steals all of your money and sends it to a bank account in Africa.
That's why you use a bank or credit union that provides you protection against that happening in writing.

That's why you use a bank or credit union that provides you protection against that happening in writing.

What happens when they cannot protect themselves because they too have been victimized? The FDIC can't bail out everyone if it happens all at once.

That's why you use a bank or credit union that provides you protection against that happening in writing.

Sammy I understand your point, I don't want the government controlling my Internet browsing habits. But, from a national security point of view, I think that if foreign countries can use cyber attacks the Internet is a border fo sorts and therfore comes under federal jurisdiction. What if some idiot gains control of the air traffic control system like on the show 24? It is not impossible.

Everybody bitches about it until one day a worm steals all of your money and sends it to a bank account in Africa.

Or China uses the 'net to take control of our economy and military as the first step of an invasion.

How would a person kill the internet without shutting down all communications? You would have to shut down cable, satellite systems, telephone connections, etc... to shut down the internet if my thinking is correct.

How would a person kill the internet without shutting down all communications? You would have to shut down cable, satellite systems, telephone connections, etc... to shut down the internet if my thinking is correct.

Good question...