Over the last three days the Government of Iran have stepped up their blocking of internet access preventing methods that had earlier allowed unrestricted access for web users in the nation. The Iranian authorities are are known for restricting freedom of speech and access to information so it doesn’t come much as a surprise.
Today news have emerged that all Secure Socket Layers(SSL) and Transport Layer Security(TLS) protocols would be blocked in the country which means that access to all HTTPS website would be blocked. Popular websites like Gmail, Yahoo and Google will all be blocked. Any website that is based outside the country that uses secure connection via HTTPS has been blocked. Its been reported that secure sites based within the country are still accessible.
The restrictions have been imposed in an attempt to block online dissent or coordination of protest ahead of todays anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. Its still unclear for how long the the restriction of access to all HTTPs website would be.bMeanwhile, members and developers of Hacker News Community are discussing ways to help all internet users in Iran get around the restriction. Some members have suggested that setting up Tor bridges for users although there are logistical issues concerned with it.
These actions come just as the government of Iran is beginning to think about longer-term plans to effectively curb the internet and create a state-sponsored Web for Iranian citizens to use. Presently in order for the government authorities to easily identify the internet users the government requires internet cafe owners to video tape all customers using the web. There are reports that government are censoring the web like in North Korea where public access to the internet is barely existent.
