Tell us about your latest book How to Unblock Everything on the Internet?
I have discussed more than 50 techniques of unblocking programmes on the Internet like social networking websites, video streaming sites, gaming, chat and others. I have covered everything from basic techniques like using a proxy server to more advanced unblocking techniques. Almost all colleges, offices and companies in India have this annoying habit of blocking everything on the Internet, unnecessarily troubling students and employees. This book can be used as a guide to unblock websites by even a layman.
How did you get the idea for such a book?
In the last two months, the Government and the High Court has threatened that they will ban or block popular websites like Facebook, Twitter and Orkut. India is a democratic country and freedom of speech and freedom of expression are an integral part of any democracy. I strongly oppose any kind of blocking or banning of websites in India. India is not a China. The Chinese Government has hired more than 40,000 people whose job is to simply block websites on the Internet every single day. I really hope India does not go the Chinese way. It is about time that the Government looks at social networks as an asset and not a liability.
If social networking sites are blocked what will be the future?
Twitter and Facebook have changed the way we access news and information and communicate with our friends, colleagues and family. The breaking news nowadays first appears on these sites and then on traditional media sources.
Is blocking inappropriate content the solution?
I think, the Government needs to find a suitable middle ground whereby it can closely work with the various social networks and Internet platforms and once offensive content is detected, it can be removed in time. Completely blocking websites is no solution.
Any controversy related to this book?
A lot of my well wishers are asking me — ‘aren’t you scared that you are taking on the Government which might ban your book?’
But, I have the support of public opinion with me and I am not afraid that the Government will ban my book. Even if they do, I already have an electronic version of the book available for readers to buy on the Internet.
Does your book also talk about how to unblock porn websites?
I do not support illegal, offensive or vulgar content on the Internet. Anything that is illegal, offensive and hurts the sentiments of any religion, region or minority should be removed from the Internet.
You were in news after your site was hacked by Team Gray Hat. How did this happen?
In all my seminars, workshops and courses, I invite my attendees to hack into my website. Last year, on national television on CNBC when I was hosting a tech show, I asked people that if they can hack into my website, I will give them a job. A few weeks ago, an individual managed to break in and sent me his resume and I am now giving him a job in my company.
Wikipedia protested for anti-piracy legislation in US and displayed a link which leads Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA)…..
I think SOPA and PIPA are a little too restrictive. I support removing illegal content from the Internet like pirated content and copyrighted material. However, I think not allowing users to upload a video with a song playing in the background (which may be copyrighted and from a movie) is taking things to an uncomfortable extreme.
Is there a possibility of a cyber war in future?
Gone are the days that countries/terrorists fight wars only with tanks, bombs and guns. All modern day wars will have a cyber security element to them. If a terrorist were to cyber attack the stock exchange or banking network of a country, it could cause real economic losses to an average person and lead to widespread panic.
Do you want to dedicate this book to someone?
Officially, the book is dedicated to a free and unblocked Internet. However, unofficially, I would love to dedicate this book especially to the Minister of Communications and IT, Kapil Sibal.
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