Recent Hacking Groups Are Making It Tougher For Online Anonymity.
majeurevis
Acolyte
With all of the Anonymous hacking groups, such as Lulzsec, being hunted by law enforcement and getting mainstream media coverage, I am very interested in just how these kids were caught. I've done some research about the current state of online anonymity and I have noticed that law enforcement is quickly closing the gap.
It's well-known that TOR has bad nodes and blacklists are commonly available. However, it being originally created by the government, don't you think there's a backdoor? I haven't heard of people combing through the source code as of yet, but there are a lot of flaws, including DNS leaks. Aside from that, many .onion sites are obviously honeypots, using javascript, cookies, and other means to track your information.
I2P and Freenet are two that I am not nearly as familiar with, so I can't really comment on the security of their use.
Another subject that I have been interested in lately is Bitcoin. This link discusses how Bitcoin is not as anonymous as people may think.
A while back, actually when IPv6 came out, I heard that it was going to be the end of internet security on its own due to the way it shows MAC addresses of users publicly.
Everyone who's into cryptography knows about the controversy behind Truecrypt. With the developers unknown and no one taking the time to check the code, we have no idea just how secure of an encryption tool it really is.
I am bringing up these specific applications due to them being ones commonly discussed in privacy-centric circles and Anonymous themselves. Most of these, if not all, are actually listed in guides from Anonymous-originated groups. If these are the tools used to keep you private, then how did they get caught? I know it wasn't because of PP's <1000 IP addresses turned over because creating an alternate PP account is fucking simple.
Discuss? I'll add more links to this when I get around to it.
Another edit: Yes, I know I've not touched a LOT of key resources for anonymous browsing, such as VPNs, wardriving, etc. etc. I'll add more after I sleep.
It's well-known that TOR has bad nodes and blacklists are commonly available. However, it being originally created by the government, don't you think there's a backdoor? I haven't heard of people combing through the source code as of yet, but there are a lot of flaws, including DNS leaks. Aside from that, many .onion sites are obviously honeypots, using javascript, cookies, and other means to track your information.
I2P and Freenet are two that I am not nearly as familiar with, so I can't really comment on the security of their use.
Another subject that I have been interested in lately is Bitcoin. This link discusses how Bitcoin is not as anonymous as people may think.
A while back, actually when IPv6 came out, I heard that it was going to be the end of internet security on its own due to the way it shows MAC addresses of users publicly.
Everyone who's into cryptography knows about the controversy behind Truecrypt. With the developers unknown and no one taking the time to check the code, we have no idea just how secure of an encryption tool it really is.
I am bringing up these specific applications due to them being ones commonly discussed in privacy-centric circles and Anonymous themselves. Most of these, if not all, are actually listed in guides from Anonymous-originated groups. If these are the tools used to keep you private, then how did they get caught? I know it wasn't because of PP's <1000 IP addresses turned over because creating an alternate PP account is fucking simple.
Discuss? I'll add more links to this when I get around to it.
Another edit: Yes, I know I've not touched a LOT of key resources for anonymous browsing, such as VPNs, wardriving, etc. etc. I'll add more after I sleep.
Comments
Tips For Privacy and Security - Crunchbang Linux. This is a great Debian-based distro. Many of the tips listed here also work on other platforms, as they are browser-specific or are cross-compilable.
Darknet's Privacy Tag. Lots of useful info from Darknet.org.uk.
I'll add more links to this post when I find them and sort them when necessary.
This. I think it's the ones that actually want themselves known. What's so "anonymous" about a group that's all over the internet and claims to be involved in every attack, they are bound to have people get busted.
/me puts on tinfoil hat
Right..... Fucking conspiracy theorists.
The FISA Act is also being discussed in Congress and they are trying to lengthen the terms of it.
Pretty much we're fucked. We will be monitored, cataloged, then displayed appropriate advertising to stimulate our impulse to buy. They will know if you're not buying enough because the new proposed bill monitors your bank account and credit card records.
On the subject of government fronts, I really do believe that it's possible. Shit, nobody would really believe it if it was real and they would dismiss you as being paranoid. That disbelief is the perfect cover for operations like that.
I can only try my best by spoofing my MAC address, connecting to open WiFi points and then using a proxy/VPN/TOR with SSL enabled.
Either that, or they can see ALL traffic, like Room 641A.
Again, sources? Back up your claims.
To me Anonymous seems like a bunch of skiddies / children. You can't honestly believe that when they go on tinychat / skype / etc, to discuss who they LOIC next via voice that the government hired a bunch of adolescents, can you?
Just my $0.02. Aside from that, the points on Bitcoin et al. are pretty good. This, times one hundred thousand.
I am not just talking about Anonymous here. I'm talking about all private internet users being affected by their actions. Topiary is supposed to be the mastermind behind Lulzsec, yet is sitting in court right now. I'm sure he's just taking the fall, but how are you sure?
I just want the internet to be free, and that requires some form of privacy and anonymity. This is being threatened by the media covering these hacker groups who use programs that regular people also use to protect themselves. I just want to know what's going on to stay on top of the privacy game.
I think some of it comes down to the attacker being lazy in some areas. They may accidentally leave one little thing open to the feds to catch on to, but that seemingly meaningless information can soon escalate into a foothole which helps the feds get onto your case. The attackers probably have Facebook too, which, once the feds find, gives them all the information they need.
No need for an apology. I should cite my sources when I'm making claims anyway.
*prepares to stretch asshole for prison time*
Space Marine should be coming out soon. That looks very good.
That's what social networking is for.
With all the information people put up on those, the government knows, peoples political beliefs, their friends and associates and the nature of their relationships with them, where they like to hang out, what they do in their spare time, groups they belong to, etc.
Anonplus anyone?