Russia may ban the use of the popular SpeedTest service owned by the US company Ookla. The initiative of the International Academy of Communications (IAC) concerning the safety of using foreign Internet speed meters has received support from the State Duma and the Federal Security Service (FSB). Experts believe that Ookla’s activities pose a threat of cyberattacks, as data on communication networks could fall into the hands of foreign intelligence services.
What is the danger of SpeedTest for users in Russia?
The idea of banning the use of the SpeedTest service is actively supported by representatives of the State Duma and the Federal Security Service. This became known from the responses sent by these agencies to the International Academy of Communications. In the letters, which were read by journalists, it is stated that it is proposed to use Russian software products for measuring the speed of the Internet instead of foreign analogs.
IAC President Anastasia Ositis in her address to the State Duma expressed concern that Ookla is cooperating with U.S. intelligence agencies. She said that through SpeedTest it is possible to collect detailed information about network infrastructure, which creates an opportunity for cyberattacks. Ositis compared the situation to the SWIFT system in banking, noting that it could serve as a similar control tool in information and communications technology.
SpeedTest, she said, is the only way to control information and communications technology.
Why using SpeedTest poses cybersecurity risks
Sergey Melnik, an ICA academic, added that control systems allow access to information about communication networks, including their configuration, bandwidth and other technical parameters. The penetration of this data by foreign intelligence services potentially creates a risk of using the information to conduct targeted DDoS attacks. This was one of the reasons for the proposal to ban the use of the Ookla service in Russia.
– It is technically difficult to block SpeedTest, but operators are advised to remove Ookla software from their systems,” Melnik said. – Alternative Russian services, such as Linkmeter, are already available and could be a good substitute.
The Duma has supported the initiative to switch to domestic analogs
.
Experts note that proposals to replace foreign services with domestic software products have received approval not only in the State Duma and the FSB, but also in other government agencies. However, so far there are no regulations that would oblige operators to use exclusively Russian programs for testing the speed of Internet connection. The issue has been referred to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko for consideration, as reported by Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy.
.
– It should not be allowed that data on the operation of Russia’s telecommunications infrastructure could get to our geopolitical adversaries. In the conditions of a special military operation, there should be no potentially malicious foreign software on the networks of Russian operators,” Tolstoy said.
At the same time, we must not allow the data on the operation of Russian telecommunications infrastructure to get to our geopolitical enemies.
By ForGeeks 
