Global Internet Wavers Over Security Enhancements

Internet Users watch out! Internet connections around the world have been experiencing a downtime which began on October 11, 2018. This comes as a result a temporary lock-down of domain servers and infrastructure between October 11-12, 2018.

The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) is using this downtime to change the ‘cryptographic key ‘that is crucial to safeguard the Domain Name System (DNS), also known as the internet’s address book.

According to the World Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), this is a crucial step towards creating a secure, stable and resilient DNS.

“To further clarify, some internet users might be affected if their network operators or Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have not prepared for this change. However, this impact can be avoided by enabling the appropriate system security extensions,” CRA adds.

Furthermore, a Mobile Research Group Analyst warned that users may experience disturbances in the next 48 hours. While there will be problems with access to some resources, some users may have to wait on slowly loading pages and some others with outdated internet providers will have trouble accessing the network.

However, when ICCAN carried out preliminary tests, it was found that the change would create hardly any issues.

The decision to change cryptographic keys comes as result of growing number of internet infrastructure threats.

While this may thwart business operation temporarily, this step will prove helpful in the long run.