Yining Shi
Pronouns: Any
Research Mentor(s): Patrick Tser Jern Kon
Research Mentor School/College/Department: CSE / Engineering
Program:
Authors: Wyatt Ashley, Yining Shi, Patrick Tser Jern Kon
Session: Session 6: 3:40 pm – 4:30 pm
Poster: 94
Abstract
In the ever-expanding landscape of technology, Internet censorship by sovereign states continues to evolve. This dynamic presents a constant challenge akin to what many in the field call a “cat-and-mouse” game, where censors adapt their tactics in tandem with technological advancements, while those seeking to circumvent censorship endeavor to stay ahead. Despite persistent efforts to safeguard the flow of free and unbiased information, including the risks of physical harm, the struggle persists. Concurrently, the emergence of Internet of Things (IoT) devices within Autonomous Systems (AS) introduces a new dimension, offering vast untapped computational resources on a global scale. This proliferation not only raises concerns about potential misuse, as exemplified by instances like the Mirai Botnet, but also presents an opportunity for positive utilization, which we aim to explore and propose. With this, our study aims to investigate IoT ecosystems as a tool for evading censorship. Through a comprehensive characterization and fingerprinting of IoT ecosystems at both the Application and Kernel layers, we seek to differentiate them from traditional computing devices such as Personal Computers (PCs) or Server Centers. Leveraging this understanding, we explore avenues to harness the distributed nature and diverseness of IoT devices to establish a federated circumvention system. This research underscores the need for innovative approaches to address evolving censorship challenges in the digital age. Keywords—Internet of Things, Traffic Fingerprinting, Internet of Things Fingerprinting, Censorship, Federated System
