How the National Broadband is helping internet pirates
THE NBN is advising Australians how to download an encryption device used by pirates to illegally download hit movies and TV shows from around the globe.
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THE NBN is advising Australians how to download an encryption device used by pirates to illegally download hit movies and TV shows from around the globe.
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are also exploited for more sinister means, used by terrorists, paedophiles and other criminals to evade the reach of intelligence agencies.
It has emerged that just a week after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced new laws to compel the tech industry to help intelligence agencies access encrypted data, the federal government’s own NBN Co website advises people to use a virtual private network to encrypt and disguise their activities.
“Once connected, it sets up an encrypted connection between your computer and the private server,” the NBN website states.
“As such, any undesirable eyes cannot see what is going to or from your computer, they can only see the VPN’s server — the window into your device is locked shut.
“Further to that, the information you are sending is made to look like it’s coming from a destination other than your own, either somewhere else in your city or, possibly, anywhere in the world.”
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VPNs have become popular among criminals wanting to evade far-reaching metadata laws, with technology reports stating that terrorists are relying on them to avoid law enforcement.
Last week, Mr Turnbull announced sweeping new laws to compel global tech giants like Apple to unlock the encrypted messages of terrorists, paedophiles and hardened criminals and hand them over to Australia’s intelligence agencies. “We cannot allow the internet to be an ungoverned space,” he said.
Yet, the NBN website advises customers: “Some argue a VPN should always be active to ensure maximum protection … When entering personal information, sending sensitive files or doing any number of personal tasks you might want to keep private — this is when many users might activate a VPN.”
Labor senator Sam Dastyari said VPNs were clearly used for pirating movies and TV shows and by criminals looking to avoid detection, adding the government clearly had to get its message straight.
“On the one hand the government is high and mighty about giving up encryption data from tech companies, and on the other hand you have a situation where NBN Co itself is advising customers and citizens how to avoid metadata laws,” Mr Dastyari said.
“It’s the most basic tool of deception to avoid security laws available. If the government is going to go so hard on encryption data, surely they should at least start with the NBN’s own web page.”
The NBN website explains a VPN is a private server run by a third-party provider. Based anywhere in the world, it sets up an encrypted connection between your computer and the private server.
“One of the main ways of blocking out unwanted eyes from peeking in on your activities and invading your privacy is through a VPN,” the NBN website states.
An NBN spokesman said the website information was an education piece to explain to customers how it impacts on internet speeds.
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