The internet relies on a system called BGP to route traffic. This system can be vulnerable to attacks that can redirect traffic or disrupt service. To address this, the US government has released a roadmap to improve the security of this system. The roadmap includes recommendations for network operators to implement security measures like Route Origin Authorization and Route Origin Validation, and calls for more research in this area.
What is BGP – Border Gateway Protocol
BGP, or Border Gateway Protocol, is a protocol used to route traffic on the internet. Think of it as a system of signs and directions that helps data packets find their way from one computer to another. It’s essential for the internet to work, as it determines how data is exchanged between different networks.
Here are a few reliable sources where you can find a list of public BGP routers:
- BGP Looking Glass: https://www.routeservers.org/
- BGPView: https://bgpview.io/
- KeyCDN Tools: https://hostkey.com/about-us/looking-glass/
- Netdigix: https://www.cogentco.com/en/looking-glass
These websites provide detailed information about BGP routers, including their AS numbers, IP addresses, and looking glass services. You can use these resources to explore the routing paths on the internet and gain insights into how data flows.
Facebook Outage
The outage, which lasted for several hours, affected Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, causing widespread disruption for users worldwide. The root cause was a configuration change that mistakenly removed Facebook’s DNS servers from the internet. This disrupted routing information, making it impossible for users to connect to these platforms.
The incident highlighted the critical role of BGP in internet infrastructure and the potential consequences of misconfigurations. It also prompted Facebook to review its network infrastructure and implement measures to prevent similar outages in the future.
References:
US Government Roadmap Press Release: https://www.whitehouse.gov/oncd/briefing-room/2024/09/03/press-release-white-house-office-of-the-national-cyber-director-releases-roadmap-to-enhance-internet-routing-security/
US Government Roadmap:
Facebook Outage:
https://blog.cloudflare.com/october-2021-facebook-outage
BGP4 Protocols:
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