Translated material
What to do if the Internet is disconnected?
On January 25, 2024, Doxa was recognized as an “unwanted organization”.
If you are in Russia or plan to return to it, you can not replace our materials on social networks, refer to them and publish quotes.
Read more about what is possible and impossible, read in the cards .
What is this guide about?
We do not know exactly how the Internet will be disconnected and whether it will be, but we live in a country that unleashed the war. The purpose of turning off the Internet is information isolation, but if you prepare in advance, then you can try to avoid complete isolation.
We consider several scenarios - from the lightest, such as blocking specific sites, to a temporary total shutdown of the Internet in the country. We focus on the experience of turning off the Internet in different countries, including Kazakhstan and in Belarus.
This material was prepared in conjunction with the public organization Roskomsvobod , as well as with the participation of cyber activisto: to from different countries.
Blocking messengers
Telegram
Yes, one of the scenarios is (complete) the cessation of telegram work in Russia. Already, malfunctions in the work of Telegram have already begun. The messenger officially made a statement that this is due to increased traffic. In case of large-scale locking, we recommend that you get your proxy server in advance. The addresses of the proxy are posted on the eve of the locks in different channels, including here . Signal iOS | Android | desktop
In the case of a telegram blocking, an alternative can be a signal. But because of his fame with this messenger there is more likely that he will be blocked, like telegrams Also, from the researcher, Ksenia Ermoshina, we know about cases where the installed Signal application on the phone aroused additional interest from law enforcement agencies. . Also, the signal does not completely delete the correspondence by the timer, which can be dangerous if your device falls into the wrong hands. For registration in the signal, confirmation of SMS will be required. Matrix / Element iOS | Android | desktop
At the moment, the most developed decentralized tool for encrypted communication is Matrix. The easiest way to use Matrix is to install an element messenger or launch it in a browser. For registration, you will not need a SIM card, and to find each other there you can be by the name of the account. Element supports group chats with default encryption, as well as sending files.
Media blocking and individual resources
In this reality, we are already living - Roskomnadzor has been blocking independent sources of information dissemination for several years. But during political exacerbations, they can work hard to block the media, as well as dissolve misinformation.
- Put the media applications. Often, they immediately integrate the blocking of blocking.
Medusa iOS , Android BBC (BBC news) iOS , Android radio freedom iOS , Android rain iOS , Android
- Install the plugins for the browser to bypass the locks. Anti -Broken , or Censor Tracker . The latter is the Roskomvoboda service, which helps to bypass locks, restore access to blocked sites and identify which sites are following you.
- Subscribe to the mailings . Perhaps the mail will remain to work.
- Download the archives of your data in case of blocking of cloud file storages.
Slow down the Internet
During Internet locks, the connectivity of the network collapses. Even if the Internet is turned off in one area (as now in the Donbass), this affects other users of the global network. In this case, we advise the following:
- Close resource -intensive applications
Even in sleep mode, they generate traffic, which can score an unstable communication channel.
Unload the phone or completely delete unnecessary and heavy applications.
- iOS: Apple Instructions
- Android:
Settings -> Applications -> Select the application, go into its settings and press the "Stop" button.
-Disconnect from the home network Wi-Fi all extra devices
We recommend that you transfer them into a mode without access to the network all smart TVs, vacuum cleaners and prefixes that take a valuable communication channel in conditions of deficit.
- Disconnect automatic download photo and video in messengers
So applications will work faster. You can do this in the application settings.
Partial Shatdown
Since the Internet shutdown can be partial, it is worth preparing several ways to bypass locks. This means that on the phone and on the computer it is better to have several VPN services:
- Psiphon and Lantern - tools for an ultimatical bypass of censorship. They were used during protests in Belarus and in some cases helped restore access.
- Newnode VPN
Other VPN services:
- Expressvpn
- Outline VPN . The instructions for setting up your hosting is available here . Free keys are laid out in the Outline VPN Official telegram channel.
- Tor Browser is an anonymous browser that provides reliable confidentiality. Owners of iPhones and iPads can download a browser from a third -party developer. Currently, it is blocked in Russia, but you can gain access to it using bridges. Launch and test how it works. If it does not work, download bridges (telegram-boot @getbridgesbot ) and add to the Tor browser.
- Bridgefy is a messenger who works an offline on Bluetooth. It was used in protests in the hong Kong.
- Other messengers for Android: Briar , Fireside .
Share access points and working channels with friends, neighbors. In case of violation of the connectedness of the Internet, it is important to build additional mutual support networks.
Free VPN for iOS from Kazakhstani activists
It works only when connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
Settings instructions:
- We go into the settings-> wi-fi;
- Click on the blue I to the right of the network name of the network Wi-Fi to which you are connected;
- Scroll down, and you will see the parameter "Proxi settings" at the bottom of the screen;
- In the list, select "manually";
- Enter the IP address from the list below, port = 3785.
Everything, you have the Internet on the phone. IP addresses:
- 167.172.179.73
- 164.90.189.238
- 164.90.189.115
Full Shatdown
The total shutdown of the Internet will not be long, since it is needed for the work of state infrastructure. At this time, we have the following tips:
- Mobile communications can remain affordable, so buy SIM cardii of several operators In Kazakhstan, foreign SIM cards helped in touch with the rest of the world. If you suddenly have them, it can help when nothing works. But keep in mind that they will most likely listen to you. Try not to discuss things that can lead to criminal liability by phone. . The probability of decommissioning two cell towers of different operators at once is lower.
- Stock up in cash.
- Download offline cards. For example, Maps.me ( iOS , Android ).
- Download your favorite books, music, series on a USB flash drive or on a hard drive.
- DON'T PANIC!
Bonus!
Squading from Zelecom :
0. remain calm and not to panic
1. Know the geography of the native land, have good friends and acquaintances. Together it is much easier to survive and not give up. And in general - just more fun.
2. Have an “emergency flash drive” with information that may come in handy-offline cards, survival instructions, a set of favorite series and music. It is unlikely that you will go through swamps with an offline card, but the time can be brightened up to study. As well as viewing Dr. House, for example.
3. Cash-somewhere set aside a small stash. Well, because the Internet shutdown = turning off the banking system.
4. Fixing all the events that are happening around you is extremely important. Yes, you will not be able to send shocking shots on Twitter right now. But then, when the Internet is turned on, you can. And this is true.
5. Do not forget about physical safety.
Editor
Editor
Armen AramanPublication
February 25, 2022