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story category Firefox Add-On Simulates Great Firewall Of China
Government oppression from the comfort of your own home...
(old news - 09:41AM Sunday Nov 02 2008)
tags: legal · security · Politics · software
Tipped by wifi4milez See Profile
User wifi4milez See Profile submits this Information Week report highlighting a new Firefox add-on that simulates the "Great Firewall of China." Users of the China Channel Firefox Add-on can experience what it's like to have your Internet access restricted by a highly oppressive government entity, if simply being spied on by your own government isn't enjoyable enough. The plugin allows you to "take an unforgettable virtual trip to China and experience the technical expertise of the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry," says the plugin authors (who also offer this video). Torture and extensive imprisonment not included.

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Forums » Firefox Add-On Simulates Great Firewall Of China
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GOLFnSUN
Enjoy the sun
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1 edit

Nice political statement; but who would install it

It makes a cogent political statement, and I am sure that is what it was intended to do. But why would any sane person actually install an add-on that limits what you can do and routs all your traffic thru China in the 1st place.

Besides, how long do you think it will take the "Great Firewall of China" to block that traffic to the proxies inside of China from Western blocks of IP addresses?
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
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elbm

join:2000-08-03
Reisterstown, MD

Re: Nice political statement; but who would install it

You calling me sane?

SuperJoker

join:2005-11-21
Yermo, CA
Not Me, Seems like a useless add on.

SLD
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join:2002-04-17
·Comcast

said by GOLFnSUN See Profile :

It makes a cogent political statement...
Cogent stays away from politics, they only provide bandwidth

BIGMIKE
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join:2002-06-07
Westminster, CA
Bush approved torture.

Dogfather
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join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

Re: Nice political statement; but who would install it

That didn't take long.

bear73
Metnav... Fly The Unfriendly Skies
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·Midcontinent Commu..

good work from the makers

its a teaching tool and an eye opener for anyone who is not up on how limiting China is of its own people. while I cant imagine anyone using it for an extended time, it certainly is usefull for say, a teacher showing students how other countries limit their people. not as good as going to the country, but stuff like this, that can show us and allow us to "live as they do" will bring people closer in understanding to eachother. And thats whats needed for true peace. That and prosperity for all. dissention finds little root in a happy populace...
--
If ya gotta go, Go with a SMILE!
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China1984

@comcast.net

Re: good work from the makers

My question is when will someone write a "Great Firewall of Australia" script to go along with this one?

aaahyeah

@speakeasy.net
I agree that people in the US could learn something from using this extension.

They can have a taste of what it will be like in the US, if we don't stop the steady "goose-stepping" march, away from our freedoms.

Default_Uzer

join:2006-02-13
Springville, NY
clubs:


3 edits

Cool

It's a pretty cool app to check out. I just hope the hosts of the Chinese proxies don't get punished. It would seem like bad publicity. However since when did China give 2 shits about what other countries thought of them anyway. I'm going to explore this for a short while

Edit:
Google 'China Sucks' then click on the top page 'Modern China'. The page shows blank. Then try to connect to any other website afterwards and you cant.
stufried
Premium
join:2003-10-13

Re: Cool

I couldn't pull up one web page nor did I get any blocked message. Everything just timed out. I tried websites that I knew had Chinese versions, e.g. Google. Nothing.

Default_Uzer

join:2006-02-13
Springville, NY
clubs:
When connected to the proxy, Does anyone know what the numbers counting down in (perenthesies) on the bottom right of the browser mean? Looks like a timer but not sure.
stufried
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Re: Cool

I don't know, but I couldn't tell what timed out and what was blocked with one exception -- the Israeli Knesset (www.knesset.gov.il) which gives you a China Mobile display. This struck me as odd, because I thought Israel and China got along. See, e.g.:

»www.chinaembassy.org.il/eng/

See also:

»shanghai.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main···ionID=10

I'm wondering whether this was Middle-Eastern blocking technology/databases imported to China.

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
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said by Default_Uzer See Profile :

When connected to the proxy, Does anyone know what the numbers counting down in (perenthesies) on the bottom right of the browser mean? Looks like a timer but not sure.
The amount of time you have remaining before the Chinese police bang down your door and shoot you?
--
"At the moment of conception."

N3OGH
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Re: Cool

Aww, but it will be a good shooting.

They're from the government, so they MUST be here to help.
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…

major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
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Stepford, CA
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The U.S. is well on its way to a walled garden

Users of the China Channel Firefox Add-on can experience what it's like to have your Internet access restricted by a highly oppressive government entity[...]

Well shit, Karl, the U.S. is well on it's way if the bought/paid for whores Congress continues to spread its legs each time pimps like the MAFIAA and telcos continue to throw money.

It may "only" be spying at the moment, but wait until the PRO-IP Act fully kicks in along with all the other secret IP treaties your government is negotiating on the MAFIAA's your behalf to keep their bottom line you safe from emerging technologies like P2P terrorism, piracy & bandwidth hogs. Think of the children!
--
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Shamayim
I already have a Messiah.
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join:2002-09-23

Re: The U.S. is well on its way to a walled garden

What he said.
quatrix
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join:2005-02-11
Davie, FL
Why don't you just be a man, admit your mistakes, and stop trying to make up BS justifications for your unethical behavior?

Shamayim
I already have a Messiah.
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Re: The U.S. is well on its way to a walled garden

You talkin' to me?

Dogfather
Premium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA
As opposed to the racketeers at the RIAA backed by a corrupt Federal government.
keyboard5684

join:2001-08-01
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IP V6

I thought China was supposed to be the first all IPV6 "internet". Is there translation going on, what is up here?

I guess I expected to get an IPV6 address and go with it? My PC supports it...ahh not sure. Maybe someone knows?

Also, does not seem too restrictive, yet. I am still poking around.

What I am wondering, and I have not read to much about the China firewall (which is why this is so cool) is how are they filtering? Based on IP, actually "reading" by deep packet inspection?

Deep packet inspection looking for words would require an amazing amount of hardware and for how many users there are in China, I see it hard for even a government entity like China to do something like that effectively. HAS to be IP based which would be simple.

Will poke around. I will use stumble, my other favorite plug in!
stufried
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Re: IP V6

You'd also need to tolerate a huge error rate or have billions of readers. I mean it would be easy to filter for Taiwan, Tibet, Dalli Lama, democracy, etc., but are you going to block a Wikepedia page on a benign country because the descriptor refers to the country as a "democracy," etc.

DataDoc
My avatar looks like me, if I was 2D.
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·Suddenlink

Re: IP V6

said by stufried See Profile :

...are you going to block a Wikipedia page on a benign country because the descriptor refers to the country as a "democracy," etc.
Yes, better safe than sorry.

ctceo
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1 edit

Special Effects

What is that special water effect in the video when he's closing and opening windows? I wanna give that a try.

As for the US blocking you, not yet, but as pointed out you'd be surprised how things will change when the secret courts start passing laws in accordance with the PRO-IP Act. You may not be immediately blocked, or confronted you might encounter automated penalties on your internet connection, flight status, or checkpoint accessibility. I can't wait to see the news in a few years. "7 Year old girl & parents taken from home by DHS authorities" or "Father of 6 arrested in connection with copyright sting, Denied contact with family & friends".

You wait!

--EDIT--
Just tried the addon, and after I select "GO" there is only 1 option in the drop down box, "None". After Firefox closed I noticed some error window in the background, but it closed automatically before I could write it down.
TheMG

join:2007-09-04
Edmonton, AB

Might be good for...

People who are going to travel to China to find out what websites they can/cannot access.

Then again, anyone smart enough to find and download this add-on should also know about proxies.

tmh

@comcast.net

Excellent testing tool

Let's hope it's a *good* emulation of the firewall so we can figure out how to get around it. Love the pretext under which it is released.

tmh

pv8man999

@wideopenwest.com

Re: Excellent testing tool

I have to agree with you "tmh"

I hope this add on FULLY replicates the firewall, so we can figure out clever ways to get around it and share those ways with as many Chinese citizens as possible.

That's the way to bring down a country like china from the inside. make it a constant battle between IT admins and the entire chinese population.

surly they don't have 1 admin for each 3 citizens..or do they?
Pv8man

join:2008-07-24
Hammond, IN

( Hey karl, why delete my comment???) re-post

I have to agree with you "tmh"

I hope this add on FULLY replicates the firewall, so we can figure out clever ways to get around it and share those ways with as many Chinese citizens as possible.

That's the way to bring down a country like china from the inside. make it a constant battle between IT admins and the entire chinese population.

surly they don't have 1 admin for each 3 citizens
billybobthor

join:2004-03-29
Mchenry, IL


1 edit

Re: Excellent testing tool

Really not to sound to much being like a prick, but when are people in the US going to set aside worrying about what the hell is going on in other countries and start worrying and doing something about whats going on in our own country?

Whats more important? Helping some 16 yr old kid in China access porn? Or helping the vets that severed our country lost limbs and living on the streets with no care?

Whats more important letting that little 'ole granny in China access the food network website to make some flavorable rice? Or fighting to stop these greedy CEO's that are the cause of the high prices so our little 'ole grannies can even afford to buy the rice?

We have more issues here on our own soil that Americans are more then willing to turn away from but they sure will get their panties in a bunch if something "wrong" is going on in another country.

Its time to fix our country first before continuing to try to fix other countries.

ctceo
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1 edit
I do know they outnumber US forces (personnel fit for service) by 5 to 1.

Dunno if that counts.

»www.globalfirepower.com/countrie···tail.asp

Default_Uzer

join:2006-02-13
Springville, NY
clubs:
This isn't a 'replication' of the firewall. when you connect with this add-on, your actually connecting to a proxy WITHIN the firewall. Hence, your browser becomes a part of the Chinese internet.

ctceo
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South Bend, IN
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Has anybody had any luck with getting it to work?
zalternate

join:2007-02-22
BC
·TELUS

The Great Firewall of Canada

The Great Firewall of Canada should be the next extension. Allows U.S. users to try and view U.S. videos or sites and get a "this video has expired" or "This video not available outside of the U.S." or else the loading image just spins with no excuse. Or "you can't view any content on this website, so we are redirecting you to a crappy Canadian owned website"..

The television networks of Canaduh do this censorship with 'exclusive' contracts.... The Internet is supposed to not have borders... And the CRTC officially ignores what is happening in order to turn Canada inward and purify it's culture/heritage(for Canadian profit),like Hitler did with Germany many years ago.. Why is no one learning from history? Why can't we experience the world via the Internet?

Give us freedom or give us Death.
russotto

join:2000-10-05
Collegeville, PA

Re: The Great Firewall of Canada

said by zalternate See Profile :

Give us freedom or give us Death.
"Your terms are accepted. (said to firing squad) FIRE!" -- every dictator in history.
GameGuy369

join:2004-07-09
Olathe, KS
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haha

That is a great idea. I applaud the creators of it.

milnoc

join:2001-03-05
H2Z

Hmm. Strange.

I'm posting this message via the China Channel. Doesn't seem to be blocked. Maybe I need to use the right assortment of keywords.

N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
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·Verizon FIOS
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Re: Hmm. Strange.

It as funny, I had nothing blocked or changed.

I had no trouble at all accessing web sites on the Bible, Christianity, Chinese rule of Tibet, and Taiwan.

All were exactly the same as those accessed via my "US" browser window running in a different browser (Safari).
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…
keyboard5684

join:2001-08-01
Youngsville, PA

Re: Hmm. Strange.

I noticed mine did not either until I check out a few pages, then bam, I could get nothing.

N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
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Re: Hmm. Strange.

Yeah, did that to me too.

Wonder if that's the proxy going out, or the heavy hand of the People's Republic.....
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…

RR Conductor
RailRoadDude
Premium
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In Communist China....

In Communist China, firewall block YOU!
Pv8man

join:2008-07-24
Hammond, IN

falun gong

searching for somethings such as human rights, they will say that your PC is infected, that's the only reason you would search for something like that.

But you can't even try to google "Falun Gong" on their firewall, they don't even attempt it

naseqp

join:2003-11-02
Fernandina Beach, FL

Scary thought...

Most computer hardware is MADE in China these days.....as Arsenio Hall used to say, "Hhhmmmmm....."
Warmachine99

join:2006-03-20
Pleasant Prairie, WI
·RoadRunner Cable

Playing with Proxies

Ive been playing with this all morning, and found that there are some interesting things going on.

I could access several personal websites with no problem, even dslreports came up quickly. Any website that could be considered porn, or even porn light (SBB, swimsuit models, etc...) were 'blocked'.

I went through several rock band websites, and all of them came up, with the one exception of a band where the lead singer was female.

Most interestingly, the sites that I had the most problems with were news sites.
--
I've discovered that I often visit the state of confusion, and I know my way around pretty well.
Forums » Firefox Add-On Simulates Great Firewall Of China


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