Internet may shut down over next 48 hours?

Internet users across the globe, including India, may experience network connection failures in the next couple of days due to maintenance activity carried out by Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) according to a report by Russia Today.

ICANN is likely to carry out maintenance work over the next 48 hours by changing the cryptographic key that helps protect the internet’s Domain Name System (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,” Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) said in a statement.

According to a new report, a global internet shutdown is imminent in the next couple of days and global internet users are expected to experience network connection failureshttps://t.co/ya5vDJdhCX

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) October 12, 2018

ANI mentioned that users can face difficulties accessing certain web pages and web-based services during this time. If users are using an outdated ISP they might face some connection issues while accessing the global network.

Although the ICANN reported that the DNS Root Zone Key Signing Key (KSK) rollover has taken place.  There were few issues in the first few hours which have been resolved.

Amid the viral news of internet shut down, a report by Indian Express says that the ICANN has clarified that the Root KSK Rollover which is underway now will have minimum impact across the world. In fact, the change in cryptographic keys, which was announced in August, has already been underway for well over a day and not had any significant impact on Internet services yet.

It also quoted an ICANN spokesperson, “The headline is a click bait”. There will be minimum impact to users. “Note that data analysis suggests that more than 99% of users whose resolvers are validating will be unaffected,” ICANN said.