Examining Change in Internet Topology in Terms of External Events, April 2001--April 2002

A framework to test traceroute (skitter) data collected by CAIDA has been developed in order to see if a relationship exists between outside events and changes to the topology of the Internet. This research focuses on the passing of the Patriot Act in the United States in October of 2001. The developed framework can be applied to any event that has taken place during the period of time CAIDA's skitter data covers. Changes were found to be present following the Patriot Act, as well as at other points over the tested time period of April 2001 to April 2002.