Iran allegedly cuts off Internet access

By: Charles Cooper
Topics: Iran ,; World Watch

(Credit: CBS News)

This story originally appeared on CNET.

Iran has cut off access to the Internet, leaving millions of people without email.

A source inside the country confirmed this morning that Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo email is no longer available. Ditto for Facebook. So far, the government has not made any announcement about the service interruption.

But cyber-sophisticated Iranians are still able to circumvent the government by using proxy servers over VPN connections.

"The interesting thing is that when asked, they deny the fact that all these services are all blocked," an Iranian contacted by CNET said. The source asked to remain unidentified.

However, the Iranian noted that the regime has cut off the Internet during protests and that the buzz on the streets is that anti-government protests are planned for Saturday. Feb. 11 marks the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

Last month the country's information minister told the Islamic Republic News Agency that a national Internet would soon become operational. There was no word on when the government might plan to throw the switch on what essentially would be a vast "intranet," but it could happen any day. And that prospect has cyber activists in Iran concerned. It would give the government a hand up in its cyber cat and mouse battle with opponents.

Right now, if Iran now blocks proxy servers and VPN connections for more than a few days, companies with branches or headquarters in the country are cut off from communicating with fellow employees around the world other than by telephone. That forces the government to open the spigot for everyone. Once the new network goes into effect, ordinary Iranians would wake up to a more censored Internet.

"I don't know the the infrastructure that they will use but I don't think we have a way out of that one," said the Iranian source. "We are getting closer and closer to North Korea."

Charles Cooper is an executive editor at CNET News. He has covered technology and business for more than 25 years, working at CBSNews.com, the Associated Press, Computer & Software News, Computer Shopper, PC Week, and ZDNet. E-mail Charlie.
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by No_I_Dont_believe_you February 15, 2012 6:16 AM EST: Ah - what better way to control a police state.; Reply to this comment


by Dgunner February 11, 2012 8:35 AM EST: IN THE US THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF COLLEGE GRADUATE THAT CAN'T FIND WORK THAT RIPE FOR PLUCKING IN A CIVIL WAR AGAINST THE US ECONOMY FOR WHATEVER CAUSE THEY CHOOSE AND GROUP INTO.THE REAL CONCERN SHOULD BE WHEN THESE PEOPLE DECIDE TO FORM THIER OWN LITTLE ECONOMIC WAR .JUST WHEN OUR WASHINGTON BLEADERS TURN THIER HEAD SOMEDAY THEY WILL APPEAR. I HOPE AND PRAY I LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE THE MOVEMENT.; Reply to this comment

by smittyc February 11, 2012 1:09 AM EST

We don't hear about the bank runs in Europe unless you talk to Europeans. There is almost no news about the 211 trillion the 44 large banks in Europe have in CDS or the fracture of the bond markets in Europe either. The Russians have positioned nuclear subs in Syrian waters as well as a air craft carrier. In Afghanistan and Pakistan the anti American rhetoric has spilled over into violence for American citizens and American soldiers. In China and now starting in INdia all the internet portals are now screened and "inflamatory" material is blocked. In the U.S. comments deemed not politically correct are blocked under "TOS". Who does this writer or mainstream media think they are fooling with criticism of other nations?

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by venusvegasvada February 11, 2012 2:27 AM EST: Trying to say that the level of freedom in the US is comparable to Iran is ridiculous. Is that what your trying to sell?


by bobnjersey February 11, 2012 12:35 AM EST: [Iran has cut off access to the Internet, leaving millions of people without email.]
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that internet and email thing is just a fad ...it won't be missed.; Reply to this comment

by julianpenrod February 10, 2012 6:29 PM EST

Only a couple of days ago, NPR reported that Rose Gottemoeller, "acting undersecretary of state for arms control", whatever that is, issued a call for people of nations that Washington has stipulated not be allowed to have parity of nuclear weaponry with the U.S. and Israel turn traitor and reveal what they can, through social media, of their country's operations. In this way, the U.S. can arrange clandestine plots to sabotage the installations and possibly even arrange massive accidents to ruin their nuclear programs. Iran seems to be aware of Ms. Gottemoeller's call for foreign nationals to betray their countries, so Israel can rule the planet, and is taking action. And, for all those viciously denouncing Iran for working to prevent CIA/Mossad/MI-5 criminality, where were they when San Francisco suspended all cell phone operation to prevent a demonstration at the Bay Area Rapid Transit station where lunatic policeman Johannes Meserle thrill killed Oscar Grant as his psychotic way of ringing in 2009?

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by joesapper February 10, 2012 8:43 PM EST: let me guess , you are confused over what topic your going use from YOUR RANT to write a fiction story.

by IEtOut February 10, 2012 5:52 PM EST

Don't think for one minute that the american government would not do the same thing to protect their interests.

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by Lerianis4 February 10, 2012 8:08 PM EST: Quite right.... though if the American government did that, with our populace being armed, they might be overthrown the next day.


by No_I_Dont_believe_you February 15, 2012 6:19 AM EST: Yeah right. I have a bridge that I want to sell you.


by joesapper February 10, 2012 5:29 PM EST: i guess they are practising for future live runs that will come at a time of anothers choosing.; Reply to this comment

by burtwoody February 10, 2012 4:49 PM EST

The Iranian government needs to be taken out! It is run by maniac Muslim clerics with their stupid make believe Allah and their perverted teachings. They want to hold captive their population and are afraid to allow the people free access to the internet.

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by IEtOut February 10, 2012 5:54 PM EST: How is your make believe Jesus doing?


by ralahinn1 February 10, 2012 4:05 PM EST: Not good at all, they are planning something " big" and not wanting it to slip out.; Reply to this comment


by Lawyers-Guns-n-Money06 February 10, 2012 4:02 PM EST: by Attention-Sheep-America1 February 10, 2012 3:38 PM EST
My ancestors were the master of the planet Earth

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Your ancestors were trilobites? That explains a lot.; Reply to this comment