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UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

unblockoz.org

31–40 of 121 posts

Re: UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

#31
post #23

The easiest is just changing your DNS servers to 8.8.8.8. I wish iOS allowed you to change DNS for celluar networks.

Can someone confirm that this actually works? Seems like a pretty weak attempt at a block if true. I think the real problem is them sniffing your traffic. > I wish iOS allowed you to change DNS for celluar networks. Are you torrenting from your iPhone?

I just confirmed this is working with iiNet (2nd or 3rd biggest broadband provider in Aus).

The block screen looks like this:

http://i.imgur.com/Tuz7KrZ.jpg

So it is being blocked at ISP level, and it's up to them how they implement the block. For now, they've chosen DNS blocking, which is of course easy to work around.

Here's hoping the block encourages everyday citizens to be take technical measures to evade not just the block but the censorship.

Re: UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

#32

As an Aussie I find this pretty funny. Since they passed the law to make ISPs store your data ( which was a warning shot to piraters from my POV ) not many people's behaviours changed. Ie people still pirated. The difference between simply logging traffic and blocking certain sites means instead of being able to watch what I do, I'll be sign up to a VPN and they won't see any of my traffic. If anything blocking these…

We have a similar situation here in Belgium in terms of blocking the pirating websites. I can not just access tpb as I get a warning that the site is "illegal" and I should not use it.

The thing is that they do not block every domain from which people can torrent and there are plenty of mirrors to choose from.

I agree that it will get more people to use a VPN. But that is, more _tech savvy_ people. I know quite a few people who torrent who do not fall in that category. These people will just look for other websites and will not switch to a VPN unless someone explains them the "point" of it and how to do it.

Re: UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

#35
post #24

This is a world wide issue in the free world at this point, but Australia is stuck in the 90's when it comes to the internet. We have some business there and find everything about Australia ridiculous: ISP monopoly; hosting costs; licensing and internet related law... We ended up hosting in Singapore to serve our Australia needs. AU needs a major revamp on everything internet.

Speed is the biggest thing Oz needs. I lived there for a year and the speeds and latency are wel below what you would expect for a country of it's stature.

Re: UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

#36

Same deal in the UK. I wonder how long until the US goes down the same route. I'm quite surprised that they've gone down the DNS based filtering route. I'd expect that to change in a few years time. I recommend investing in a VPN service. They're relatively cheap. And if you pick the right one, the bandwidth is generally pretty good.

At some point all the interesting/useful countries to exit the VPN will be censored. Then it's game over.

Yes, that's a sad prospect. However, at that point I assume there'll also be no countries to host content in either so VPN would be useless in any case.

I assume at the point Tor's popularity will surge.

Re: UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

#37
post #21
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you capture the HTML and any images and rehost it somewhere?

Telstra's copyright notice is at: 101.167.166.53 Optus's one is: 54.79.39.115 Easy to find, just `dig A thepiratebay.se @ ` Cannot access TPG's, iiNet's or Habour ISP's DNS servers, probably because I'm on Telstra and they only allow queries from customers.

TPG: 202.136.99.184

kinda funny I had to go out of my way to see it.

Re: UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

#38
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Telstra's copyright notice is at: 101.167.166.53 Optus's one is: 54.79.39.115 Easy to find, just `dig A thepiratebay.se @ ` Cannot access TPG's, iiNet's or Habour ISP's DNS servers, probably because I'm on Telstra and they only allow queries from customers.

TPG: 202.136.99.184 kinda funny I had to go out of my way to see it.

snapshot https://archive.is/ozFjp

Re: UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

#39
post #25

Something very unsettling about a government mandating ISPs block/sniff/track your internet traffic on behalf of the film industry. If only the government was equally motivated to remedy injustices incurred by those who aren't already filthy rich.

Don't worry this isn't a concerted effort to actually block things. Its a pretty weak effort to go through the motions.

If your tuned into this debate at a federal level there are a vocal bunch of senators bemoaning the Australia tax that our geography puts on us. These guys put out info on how to use vpns and avoid geoblocking and such for the masses.

Best in show example: Adobe software and Game of thrones.

Australians want to work, trade and play in the free first world. And until we get that we'll steal everything that isn't nailed down.

Re: UnblockOz: Helps Australians reclaim their unfiltered Internet access

#40

For those that are interested, the blocks were ordered in early December by Australia's Federal Court. The court was given the powers when the Australian Copyright Act was amended in 2015. The case was heard over several days, and while it was inevitable that it would order the sites blocked (there was no opposition to the blocking application, as such) - the copyright holders didn't get everything they wanted. They…

Additionally, the copyright holders were ordered to pay costs incurred by the ISPs in implementing the block.

I think the case was a good balance between upholding the law and making it clear that it wouldn't be a system over which the copyright holders have total control.

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