RESISTANT DEFENSIVE NETWAR

There are many methods to avoid disclosure of sensitive information on the Internet. The first method is simply to not use the Internet as a means of communicating sensitive information. The second method is to encode information in digital form with an encryption program. Military grade encryption programs are available including the common PGP - Pretty Good Privacy. Perhaps a third defensive method, an alternative to not disclosing information or encoding it, is masking or couching Internet language in such a way as to not bring attention to oneself or to one's group.

In addition to focusing on methods to circumvent hegemonic monitoring and surveillance, working directly against efforts to privatize or censor the Internet is another defensive mechanism. Currently a lawsuit is challenging the Communications Decency Act, legislation that imposes pornography related restrictions on the Internet. (Mendels, 1996)

Given that the Defense Department has recommended that both international and domestic email traffic be monitored for subversive content (Swett, 1995), it does behoove Internet activists to take precautionary measures. There is a debate, however, as to whether encryption is a good practice. Proponents advocate some form of encryption to guarantee privacy, while detractors say that it constrains the free flow of information, limiting traffic only to those with sophisticated encryption keys.