title: Measuring the effectiveness of routing defenses through the lens of DROP

authors: Oliver-Dowling, Leo

subjects: Computer networking

abstract: This work analyzes the properties of 712 prefixes that appeared in Spamhaus’ “Don’t Route Or Peer” (DROP) list over a nearly three-year period from June 2019 to March 2022. The 712 known abused prefixes are used as a lens to assess the current threat landscape and evaluate several of the leading rout- ing defense mechanisms. A thorough characterization of these 712 prefixes is performed and it is found that a larger fraction of the hijacked prefixes were from Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) with restrictive policies regarding Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) eligibility. It is also found that attackers were predominately targeting address space that was unrouted and not RPKI-signed. The work reveals that attackers were subverting multiple defenses against malicious use of address space, including creating fraudu- lent Internet Routing Registry records for prefixes shortly before using them. Other attackers disguised their activities by announcing routes with origin Autonomous Systems (ASes) consistent with historic route announcements, and in one case, with the Autonomous System Number (ASN) in a RPKI Route Origin Authorization. Finally, the work quantifies the substantial and actively-exploited surface in unrouted space, which warrants reconsideration of RPKI eligibility and policies by both operators and RIRs.

text: Measuring the effectiveness of routing defenses through the lens of DROP This work analyzes the properties of 712 prefixes that appeared in Spamhaus’ “Don’t Route Or Peer” (DROP) list over a nearly three-year period from June 2019 to March 2022. The 712 known abused prefixes are used as a lens to assess the current threat landscape and evaluate several of the leading rout- ing defense mechanisms. A thorough characterization of these 712 prefixes is performed and it is found that a larger fraction of the hijacked prefixes were from Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) with restrictive policies regarding Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) eligibility. It is also found that attackers were predominately targeting address space that was unrouted and not RPKI-signed. The work reveals that attackers were subverting multiple defenses against malicious use of address space, including creating fraudu- lent Internet Routing Registry records for prefixes shortly before using them. Other attackers disguised their activities by announcing routes with origin Autonomous Systems (ASes) consistent with historic route announcements, and in one case, with the Autonomous System Number (ASN) in a RPKI Route Origin Authorization. Finally, the work quantifies the substantial and actively-exploited surface in unrouted space, which warrants reconsideration of RPKI eligibility and policies by both operators and RIRs.

year: 2022

title: Debate on ultra-processed foods shouldn’t derail good dietary advice

authors: Cleghorn, Cristina

abstract: Evidence is mounting linking ultra-processed foods (UPF) to risk of chronic disease. Typically, UPF are foods that are energy-dense, high in fat, sugar and salt, low in fibre and with a long shelf life. Examples include biscuits, chips, candy, instant noodles, mass-produced bread, sweetened breakfast cereals, ready-to-eat meals and reconstituted meats. 

Dietary recommendations encourage people to eat foods that are ‘whole’ or less processed. This can be a challenge when our food environments and food supply systems are dominated by UPF. 

Categorising foods according to the type and extent of processing can help us understand the healthfulness of individual foods, diets and the food supply system. However, we must still consider the nutritional value, affordability, accessibility, sustainability and cultural acceptability of foods. And in some cases, foods classified as UFP may still be a component of a well-balanced dietary intake —for example, wholegrain bread.

While acknowledging this tension on the margins, there remains a strong case for promoting the consumption of fruits, vegetables, wholegrain and minimally processed foods.

text: Debate on ultra-processed foods shouldn’t derail good dietary advice Evidence is mounting linking ultra-processed foods (UPF) to risk of chronic disease. Typically, UPF are foods that are energy-dense, high in fat, sugar and salt, low in fibre and with a long shelf life. Examples include biscuits, chips, candy, instant noodles, mass-produced bread, sweetened breakfast cereals, ready-to-eat meals and reconstituted meats. 

Dietary recommendations encourage people to eat foods that are ‘whole’ or less processed. This can be a challenge when our food environments and food supply systems are dominated by UPF. 

Categorising foods according to the type and extent of processing can help us understand the healthfulness of individual foods, diets and the food supply system. However, we must still consider the nutritional value, affordability, accessibility, sustainability and cultural acceptability of foods. And in some cases, foods classified as UFP may still be a component of a well-balanced dietary intake —for example, wholegrain bread.

While acknowledging this tension on the margins, there remains a strong case for promoting the consumption of fruits, vegetables, wholegrain and minimally processed foods.

year: 2024-09-16

title: 'Freedom’s Ramparts on The Sea': The postcolonial New Zealand landscape and the quest for sustainability

authors: Morad, Munir

subjects: postcolonialism

abstract: New Zealand’s colonial legacy has had a major impact on the shape of its landscape. The European settlement of New Zealand transformed both the land itself as well as the tenure arrangements that had hitherto followed traditional Maori practices. The increasing political influence of the modem conservation movement in New Zealand has been mirrored by a parallel rise in Maori engagement with environmental issues. Land tenure claims brought by the Maori under the 1970’s Treaty of Waitangi Act have enabled an alliance of Maori and environmental interests to be forged. This linkage however is very recent, and if the current unsustainable land use practices are to be mitigated in New Zealand, a synthesis of the essential elements in both cultural traditions is necessary.
Culture shapes how people identify and evaluate elements of their environment, and influences their behaviour and experiences. At a more pragmatic level, culture provides the social infrastructure and institutions that determine how renewable land resources are used and managed. The authors highlight the links between postcolonial culture and landscape management in New Zealand, contrasting Pakeha-Maori points of view and attempting to mediate between these conflicting positions. These links are examined in the context of new social, economic and ecological forces that are shaping the country’s postcolonial landscape.

text: 'Freedom’s Ramparts on The Sea': The postcolonial New Zealand landscape and the quest for sustainability New Zealand’s colonial legacy has had a major impact on the shape of its landscape. The European settlement of New Zealand transformed both the land itself as well as the tenure arrangements that had hitherto followed traditional Maori practices. The increasing political influence of the modem conservation movement in New Zealand has been mirrored by a parallel rise in Maori engagement with environmental issues. Land tenure claims brought by the Maori under the 1970’s Treaty of Waitangi Act have enabled an alliance of Maori and environmental interests to be forged. This linkage however is very recent, and if the current unsustainable land use practices are to be mitigated in New Zealand, a synthesis of the essential elements in both cultural traditions is necessary.
Culture shapes how people identify and evaluate elements of their environment, and influences their behaviour and experiences. At a more pragmatic level, culture provides the social infrastructure and institutions that determine how renewable land resources are used and managed. The authors highlight the links between postcolonial culture and landscape management in New Zealand, contrasting Pakeha-Maori points of view and attempting to mediate between these conflicting positions. These links are examined in the context of new social, economic and ecological forces that are shaping the country’s postcolonial landscape.

year: 2003