I was having an argument in the speculation sub-forum when someone said "the only way to stop Bitcoin would be to ban the entire internet"... see I often hear that, but being in IT as a profession that statement give me a real hard time, so I thought it is time to discuss it, maybe there is something I am not aware off !!
So if Bitcoin becomes a real threat to governments, and if they agree on banning it and killing it, one way to go would be just changing regulation (FCC) for internet service providers and force them to ban the port that Bitcoin uses (8332 now), this would mean certain death to Bitcoin.
I want to hear your opinion, and how do you think this could be prevented ?
change the port to 80, use SSL.
now bitcoin is indistinguishable from any SSL website, good luck banning it.
SSL doesnt run on port 80.
http://stason.org/TULARC/security/ssl-talk/3-4-What-ports-does-SSL-use.html#.VDlkM_ldXKABut less pedantically, if people wanted to ban it, it would be much easier. Ban the entry and exit points and ban the ownership/dealing of it. Not to say it would be completely eradicated but would be limited to niche uses and a currency to succeed needs widespread adoption.
I don't think it will be banned though, just evolved and more regulated than currently. In general cryptocurrency is a good thing and will succeed in the longer term I think, nothing to be feared.