Silk Road forums

Discussion => Off topic => Topic started by: ascent5154 on January 08, 2013, 02:23 am

Title: Am I anonymous when using regular internet sites with tor?
Post by: ascent5154 on January 08, 2013, 02:23 am
Am I anonymous when using regular internet sites through the tor browser. For example, using the google search engine. This assumes that I don't access emails or put any of my personal information over the internet. I ask this because sometimes when people post a link they write, "warning this is a clearnet site".
Title: Re: Am I anonymous when using regular internet sites with tor?
Post by: CrazyBart on January 08, 2013, 02:35 am
Yes.

Some sites block access from the Tor network tho, it is also going to be slower than your regular "clearnet" browser
Title: Re: Am I anonymous when using regular internet sites with tor?
Post by: SelfSovereignty on January 08, 2013, 02:59 am
There are specific attacks that identify Tor users based on statistical correlations in network traffic, and accessing clearnet sites makes them easier to perform.  I've never seen a confirmed instance of these attacks being performed in the wild, as it were -- only in controlled lab environments.  That doesn't mean it isn't happening every day, of course, but what I'm saying is that I consider it such a small risk as to be negligible.  Your opinion is your own.
Title: Re: Am I anonymous when using regular internet sites with tor?
Post by: sedgewickbell on January 08, 2013, 04:36 am
There are specific attacks that identify Tor users based on statistical correlations in network traffic, and accessing clearnet sites makes them easier to perform.  I've never seen a confirmed instance of these attacks being performed in the wild, as it were -- only in controlled lab environments.  That doesn't mean it isn't happening every day, of course, but what I'm saying is that I consider it such a small risk as to be negligible.  Your opinion is your own.

+1

Also, using any plugins like Flash, Java, Quicktime etc. with your TOR browser, would provide an opportunity for any attacker to possibly identify you. Basically, use a very stripped down browser when surfing.
Title: Re: Am I anonymous when using regular internet sites with tor?
Post by: sedgewickbell on January 08, 2013, 04:44 am
So, if you're trying to install Flash so that you can watch brazzers anonymously... ;)

Just kidding, but seriously, there was a guy who proposed attacks be used to monitor content handled by the exit servers--the computers that manage the border between the Tor network and the Internet--to their source, in order to find child-pornographers. Tor operators criticized the project as endangering the vast majority of legitimate Tor users to pursue a smaller number of bad actors.