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EFF Says 'Stop Using Haystack'

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the where-will-i-get-my-needles-now dept.

tenco writes "Based on a blog post by the CRC today, EFF warns against using Haystack for circumventing censorship firewalls in Iran. Jacob Appelbaum states on twitter: 'Haystack is the worst piece of software I have ever had the displeasure of ripping apart.'"

3 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. Why? by abigsmurf · · Score: 5, Insightful

    None of the sources give any clear reason why people should not use this program.

    If you're going to systematically try to destroy the user base of someone's piece of software you should at least have the decency to explain why in clear terms, regardless of the reasons behind this kind of alert.

    1. Re:Why? by Meneth · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I've got one: A security program that's not free software? Any slashdotter should know better. :)

  2. Re:In other words by Chrisq · · Score: 4, Insightful

    EFF says: "Stop using this program you've never heard of to circumvent national firewalls. And don't you DARE consider checking it out since you've heard about it now!"

    Streisand effect, anyone?

    I would like more details but I expect it is something like "if you use this it has flaws that may well reveal who you are, that you are avoiding the firewall and what you are viewing to the authorities". For someone in the USA trying to get to Facebook at work this might mean it is still worth a try ... their network guys may not have herd of it. For someone in Iran where the project has been suggested as a way of avoiding state censorship it probably isn't worth the risk.