Bandwidth limit for hacker prevention

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of the Linux terminal command 'tc' for limiting internet bandwidth as a potential method for preventing data theft, particularly concerning real-time access to a computer's microphone and webcam by hackers. Participants explore the implications of bandwidth limitations on different types of data, including sensitive information like credit card details and personal conversations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes using the 'tc' command to limit upload speeds, suggesting it could hinder a hacker's ability to access real-time data from a computer's microphone and webcam.
  • Another participant argues that real-time access to microphone and video is not a primary concern for serious hackers, who are more interested in stealing small, high-value data like credit card information, which can be transmitted quickly.
  • A participant proposes an idea for processing sensitive files by adding filler data to slow down extraction, suggesting this could protect sensitive information from being stolen even if bandwidth is limited.
  • There is a suggestion that hackers might prefer to capture keystrokes to obtain sensitive information rather than relying on real-time access to audio or video.
  • One participant recommends using password manager software to securely store sensitive information like credit card data.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of bandwidth limitation as a security measure against hackers. While some see potential in using 'tc' for this purpose, others argue that serious hackers would not be deterred by such measures, indicating a lack of consensus on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss various assumptions regarding the motivations of hackers and the types of data they prioritize, as well as the technical feasibility of using bandwidth limitations as a protective measure. There is no resolution on the effectiveness of these strategies.

hilbert2
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TL;DR
About limiting the net download and upload speeds in a Linux system to prevent fast download of data from your computer by hackers.
A few days ago, I noticed that there is a Linux terminal command 'tc', which can be used for limiting the download and especially upload speeds of your internet connection. When I write

Code: 
sudo tc qdisc add dev eth0 root tbf rate 100kbit latency 10ms burst 1540

in the terminal, the download speed remains good enough for browsing websites, but the upload speed gets really slow, like an early 1990s modem connection. The 'eth0' in that command is the name of the connection. As far as I know, this is used by server administrators for limiting the bandwidth consumed by a single user. However, shouldn't this also prevent a hacker getting real time data from your computer's microphone and webcam in the case they get around your firewall? The upload speed after applying that setting should be way too slow for that. I can't find any information about anyone using this for that purpose, but it should be difficult to circumvent if the intruder doesn't know what's causing the slow connection.

It should be easy to make a Java GUI application where you can select the percentages to which you want to drop the download and upload speeds from the original values. Then it could do several connection speed tests with different values of 'rate', 'latency' and 'burst' parameters and find the correct ones to get the data transfer rates to what you're after.

The tc command is also introduced in this wiki page:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/advanced_traffic_control
 
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Microphone & Video in real time is more of a "for a laugh" hack than anything else. Serious criminals won't be interested in that, they want things like credit card data / security keys / password data...the type of stuff which can have a real impact on your "real" life and this type of data is tiny so limiting your bandwidth won't help with that.
 
MikeeMiracle said:
Microphone & Video in real time is more of a "for a laugh" hack than anything else. Serious criminals won't be interested in that, they want things like credit card data / security keys / password data...the type of stuff which can have a real impact on your "real" life and this type of data is tiny so limiting your bandwidth won't help with that.

Yeah, I thought so, as well. That made me think of a way to process files in a way opposite to a ZIP or RAR compression, adding a lot of "filler" data that all has to be read before the actual useful content can be extracted from it. If the credit card data and similar were kept in that kind of files, then limiting the upload speed would protect them. However, I think a hacker would be more likely to record the keystrokes you make on your computer and try to find passwords and credit card numbers from that data.

Politicians and celebrities would possibly be more concerned about someone recording their conversations through the microphone of a hacked laptop or phone.
 
If you need to keep important stuff like credit card data on your computer then consider storing it in Password Manager software like Keypass.
 

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