Archive:Anonymous proxy: Difference between revisions
Use {{cite conference}} for a conference paper. |
m 50 revisions imported: Import with full history |
||
| (38 intermediate revisions by 25 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description| | {{short description|Online privacy tool}} | ||
{{about|computer software|the company|Anonymizer (company)}} | {{about|computer software|the company|Anonymizer (company)}} | ||
An '''anonymizer''' or | [[File:Werking_Anoniem_Surfen.jpg | thumb | right | alt=Illustration of how a client accesses a web page using an anonymous browsing service. | Illustration of how a client accesses a web page using an anonymous browsing service]] | ||
An '''anonymizer''' or '''anonymous proxy''' is a tool that attempts to make activity on the [[Internet]] untraceable. It is a [[proxy server]] computer that acts as an intermediary and [[privacy]] shield between a client computer and the rest of the [[Internet]]. It accesses the Internet on the user's behalf, protecting personal information of the user by hiding the client computer's [[Personal identifying information|identifying information]] such as IP addresses.<ref name="how">{{cite web |url=http://www.livinginternet.com/i/is_anon_work.htm |title=How Anonymizers Work |access-date=2007-08-03 |work=The Living Internet}}</ref><ref>{{cite IETF |rfc=4949 |title=Internet Security Glossary, Version 2 |first=R. |last=Shirey |date=August 2007}}</ref> | |||
== | Reasons for using anonymizers include minimizing risk, prevention of [[identity theft]], or protecting search histories from public disclosure. Some countries apply heavy [[Internet censorship|censorship on the internet]] via [[geo-blocking]].<ref>(Reference from [[Censorship in Singapore#Internet]]) {{cite news |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HK23Ae02.html |title=Mixing welfare and elitism in Singapore |first=Alex |last=Au |newspaper=[[Asia Times]] |date=November 23, 2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718080640/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HK23Ae02.html |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>(Reference from [[Censorship in Saudi Arabia#The Internet]]) {{cite web |url=http://www.tgdaily.com/business-and-law-features/53403-saudi-arabia-bans-blogging-without-a-licence |title=Saudi Arabia bans blogging without a licence |first=Emma |last=Woollacott |date=January 6, 2011 |website=TG Daily |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110193306/https://tgdaily.com/business-and-law-features/53403-saudi-arabia-bans-blogging-without-a-licence |archive-date=January 10, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>(Reference from [[Censorship in North Korea]] - where internet access itself is illegal) {{cite web|title=List of the 13 Internet enemies |work=Reporters Without Borders |url=http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19603 |access-date=January 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102084750/http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19603 |archive-date=2 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>(Reference from [[Internet censorship in Iran]]) {{cite web |website=OpenNet Initiative |date=2006 |url=http://www.opennetinitiative.net/studies/iran/ |title=Internet Filtering in Iran in 2004-2005: A Country Study |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108054914/http://www.opennetinitiative.net/studies/iran/ |archive-date=2009-01-08 |url-status=dead}} In these countries most anonymizer websites are banned</ref><ref>See references above i.e. Iran banned [[Tor (network)|Tor]]</ref> Anonymizers can help to allow free access to all of the internet content, but they cannot help against persecution for accessing the anonymizer itself. As information itself about anonymizers may be banned in those countries, governments may create [[Phishing|fake websites]] to entrap users.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/471 |title=Click Crime |first=Mark |last=Rasch |author-link=Mark Rasch |date=May 9, 2008 |website=[[SecurityFocus]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513153024/http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/471 |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Anonymizers are also used to avoid [[Internet marketing#Geo-targeting|targeted marketing]] and information and to get a more objective view of information.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.fastcompany.com/1754491/web-anonymizers-and-arab-spring |title = Web Anonymizers And The Arab Spring|date = 20 May 2011|first = Neal |last = Ungerleider |website = [[Fast Company]]}}</ref> | ||
Anonymizers can be classified into protocol-specific and protocol-independent proxies. In protocol-specific anonymizers, a connection is made by the user to the anonymizer, with commands to the anonymizer included inside typical messages. The anonymizer then makes a connection to the resource specified by the inbound command and relays the message with the command stripped out. Protocol-independent anonymizers are achieved by creating a [[Tunneling protocol|network tunnel]] to an anonymizer via a protocol such as [[SOCKS]], [[Point-to-point tunneling protocol|PPTP]], or [[OpenVPN]]. For building a reliable anonymous system, anonymous proxy signatures are helpful.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Wei |first1=Jiannan |last2=Yang |first2=Guomin |last3=Mu |first3=Yi |last4=Liang |first4=Kaitai |date=2015-09-28 |title=Anonymous Proxy Signature with Hierarchical Traceability: TABLE 1. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/comjnl/bxv080 |journal=The Computer Journal |volume=59 |issue=4 |pages=559–569 |doi=10.1093/comjnl/bxv080 |issn=0010-4620 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> These signatures can also be used in anonymous voting or other authentication processes that value anonymity.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
Examples of anonymizer websites include Anonymouse, Anonymize, [[Anonymizer (company)|Anonymizer]], IDZap, Ultimate Anonymity, The Cloak, and GhostSurf Platinum.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rainer |first1=R. Kelly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kL2XvT_OKEgC&pg=PA379 |title=Introduction to Information Systems: Supporting and Transforming Business |last2=Turban |first2=Efraim |date=9 January 2008 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=9780470169001 |page=379 |access-date=20 December 2017 |via=Google Books}}</ref> Websites such as GoTrusted.com and Anonymizer.com offer users internet access with anonymity via a [[Virtual private network|virtual private network (VPN)]] that routes their online traffic through the companies' servers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Li |first=Bingdong |last2=Erdin |first2=Esra |last3=Gunes |first3=Mehmet Hadi |last4=Bebis |first4=George |last5=Shipley |first5=Todd |date=2013-07-01 |title=An overview of anonymity technology usage |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140366413001096 |journal=Computer Communications |volume=36 |issue=12 |pages=1269–1283 |doi=10.1016/j.comcom.2013.04.009 |issn=0140-3664 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Examples of protocol-specific anonymizers include [[anonymous remailer|anonymous remailers]], [[Http proxy#Accessing services anonymously|web proxies]] and [[Bouncer (networking)|bouncers]] for [[FTP]] and [[IRC]], and anonymity integrated with [[Radio-frequency identification|RFID tags]].<ref>{{Cite conference |last1=Mubarak |first1=Mohd Faizal |last2=Manan |first2=Jamalul-lail Ab |last3=Yahya |first3=Saadiah |date=December 2011 |title=Trusted anonymizer-based RFID system with integrity verification |conference=2011 7th International Conference on Information Assurance and Security (IAS) |language=en-US |publisher=IEEE |pages=98–103 |doi=10.1109/isias.2011.6122802 |isbn=9781457721557 |s2cid=16934219}}</ref> | |||
==Use of multiple relays== | ==Use of multiple relays== | ||
| Line 31: | Line 14: | ||
Proxies can be [[Network topology#Daisy chain|daisy chained]]. Chaining anonymous proxies can make [[Traffic analysis#In computer security|traffic analysis]] far more complex and costly by requiring the eavesdropper to be able to monitor different parts of the Internet.<ref name="how" /> An [[anonymous remailer|anonymizing remailer]] can use this concept by relaying a message to another remailer, and eventually to its destination. | Proxies can be [[Network topology#Daisy chain|daisy chained]]. Chaining anonymous proxies can make [[Traffic analysis#In computer security|traffic analysis]] far more complex and costly by requiring the eavesdropper to be able to monitor different parts of the Internet.<ref name="how" /> An [[anonymous remailer|anonymizing remailer]] can use this concept by relaying a message to another remailer, and eventually to its destination. | ||
Even stronger anonymity can be gained by using [[Tor (network)|Tor]] | Even stronger anonymity can be gained by using [[Tor (network)|Tor]], an [[onion router]]. Using Tor means that routing information and message content are [[encrypted]] in such a way as to prevent linking the origin and destination. Like all anonymity networks, Tor cannot end-to-end encrypt messages destined for the public internet;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/security/the-hack-of-the-year/2007/11/12/1194766589522.html|title=The hack of the year - Security - Technology - theage.com.au|date=2007-11-13|website=www.theage.com.au|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref> it must be arranged between the sender and recipient. Tor's [[Tor (network)#Onion services|onion service protocol]] does, however, provide [[end-to-end encryption]], along with the ability to anonymize servers, making them more censorship-resistant. | ||
Another anonymity network is the [[I2P|Invisible Internet Project]] (I2P). Unlike Tor, I2P is an internal, dynamic and decentralized network where each node routes traffic for others and blends its own traffic in, such that one's own traffic is relayed by other peers through tunnels made up of various other peers. As all traffic always stays within the I2P network, a routing user's I2P can remain end-to-end encrypted and will never show on public websites' logs.<ref name=IIP_1>{{Cite web|title=Welcome to the Invisible Internet| url=http://geti2p.net| publisher=The Invisible Internet Project| date=December 2023| access-date=26 December 2023}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 42: | Line 22: | ||
*[[Anonymous P2P]] | *[[Anonymous P2P]] | ||
*[[Anonymization]] | *[[Anonymization]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Private browsing]] | ||
*[[Java Anon Proxy]] - a [[proxy server|proxy]] system designed to allow browsing the [[World Wide Web|Web]] with revocable [[pseudonymity]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://anon.inf.tu-dresden.de/publications/index_en.html |title=Privacy-friendly law enforcement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204070104/http://anon.inf.tu-dresden.de/publications/index_en.html |archive-date=2008-12-04 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
*[[Java Anon Proxy]] - a [[proxy server|proxy]] system designed to allow browsing the [[World Wide Web|Web]] with revocable [[pseudonymity]].<ref> | |||
*[[Open proxy]] | *[[Open proxy]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 21:40, 28 October 2026
Template:Short description Template:About
An anonymizer or anonymous proxy is a tool that attempts to make activity on the Internet untraceable. It is a proxy server computer that acts as an intermediary and privacy shield between a client computer and the rest of the Internet. It accesses the Internet on the user's behalf, protecting personal information of the user by hiding the client computer's identifying information such as IP addresses.[1][2]
Reasons for using anonymizers include minimizing risk, prevention of identity theft, or protecting search histories from public disclosure. Some countries apply heavy censorship on the internet via geo-blocking.[3][4][5][6][7] Anonymizers can help to allow free access to all of the internet content, but they cannot help against persecution for accessing the anonymizer itself. As information itself about anonymizers may be banned in those countries, governments may create fake websites to entrap users.[8] Anonymizers are also used to avoid targeted marketing and information and to get a more objective view of information.[9]
Anonymizers can be classified into protocol-specific and protocol-independent proxies. In protocol-specific anonymizers, a connection is made by the user to the anonymizer, with commands to the anonymizer included inside typical messages. The anonymizer then makes a connection to the resource specified by the inbound command and relays the message with the command stripped out. Protocol-independent anonymizers are achieved by creating a network tunnel to an anonymizer via a protocol such as SOCKS, PPTP, or OpenVPN. For building a reliable anonymous system, anonymous proxy signatures are helpful.[10] These signatures can also be used in anonymous voting or other authentication processes that value anonymity.[10]
Examples of anonymizer websites include Anonymouse, Anonymize, Anonymizer, IDZap, Ultimate Anonymity, The Cloak, and GhostSurf Platinum.[11] Websites such as GoTrusted.com and Anonymizer.com offer users internet access with anonymity via a virtual private network (VPN) that routes their online traffic through the companies' servers.[12] Examples of protocol-specific anonymizers include anonymous remailers, web proxies and bouncers for FTP and IRC, and anonymity integrated with RFID tags.[13]
Use of multiple relays
Proxies can be daisy chained. Chaining anonymous proxies can make traffic analysis far more complex and costly by requiring the eavesdropper to be able to monitor different parts of the Internet.[1] An anonymizing remailer can use this concept by relaying a message to another remailer, and eventually to its destination.
Even stronger anonymity can be gained by using Tor, an onion router. Using Tor means that routing information and message content are encrypted in such a way as to prevent linking the origin and destination. Like all anonymity networks, Tor cannot end-to-end encrypt messages destined for the public internet;[14] it must be arranged between the sender and recipient. Tor's onion service protocol does, however, provide end-to-end encryption, along with the ability to anonymize servers, making them more censorship-resistant.
Another anonymity network is the Invisible Internet Project (I2P). Unlike Tor, I2P is an internal, dynamic and decentralized network where each node routes traffic for others and blends its own traffic in, such that one's own traffic is relayed by other peers through tunnels made up of various other peers. As all traffic always stays within the I2P network, a routing user's I2P can remain end-to-end encrypted and will never show on public websites' logs.[15]
See also
- Anonymous P2P
- Anonymization
- Private browsing
- Java Anon Proxy - a proxy system designed to allow browsing the Web with revocable pseudonymity.[16]
- Open proxy
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "How Anonymizers Work". The Living Internet. http://www.livinginternet.com/i/is_anon_work.htm.
- ↑ Template:Cite IETF
- ↑ (Reference from Censorship in Singapore#Internet) Au, Alex (November 23, 2006). "Mixing welfare and elitism in Singapore". Asia Times. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HK23Ae02.html.
- ↑ (Reference from Censorship in Saudi Arabia#The Internet) Woollacott, Emma (January 6, 2011). "Saudi Arabia bans blogging without a licence". http://www.tgdaily.com/business-and-law-features/53403-saudi-arabia-bans-blogging-without-a-licence.
- ↑ (Reference from Censorship in North Korea - where internet access itself is illegal) "List of the 13 Internet enemies". Reporters Without Borders. http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19603.
- ↑ (Reference from Internet censorship in Iran) "Internet Filtering in Iran in 2004-2005: A Country Study". 2006. http://www.opennetinitiative.net/studies/iran/. In these countries most anonymizer websites are banned
- ↑ See references above i.e. Iran banned Tor
- ↑ Rasch, Mark (May 9, 2008). "Click Crime". http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/471.
- ↑ Ungerleider, Neal (20 May 2011). "Web Anonymizers And The Arab Spring". https://www.fastcompany.com/1754491/web-anonymizers-and-arab-spring.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Wei, Jiannan; Yang, Guomin; Mu, Yi; Liang, Kaitai (2015-09-28). "Anonymous Proxy Signature with Hierarchical Traceability: TABLE 1.". The Computer Journal 59 (4): 559–569. doi:. ISSN 0010-4620. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/comjnl/bxv080.
- ↑ Rainer, R. Kelly; Turban, Efraim (9 January 2008). Introduction to Information Systems: Supporting and Transforming Business. John Wiley & Sons. p. 379. ISBN 9780470169001. https://books.google.com/books?id=kL2XvT_OKEgC&pg=PA379. Retrieved on 20 December 2017.
- ↑ Li, Bingdong; Erdin, Esra; Gunes, Mehmet Hadi; Bebis, George; Shipley, Todd (2013-07-01). "An overview of anonymity technology usage". Computer Communications 36 (12): 1269–1283. doi:. ISSN 0140-3664. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140366413001096.
- ↑ Template:Cite conference
- ↑ "The hack of the year - Security - Technology - theage.com.au". 2007-11-13. http://www.theage.com.au/news/security/the-hack-of-the-year/2007/11/12/1194766589522.html.
- ↑ "Welcome to the Invisible Internet". The Invisible Internet Project. December 2023. http://geti2p.net.
- ↑ "Privacy-friendly law enforcement". http://anon.inf.tu-dresden.de/publications/index_en.html.