Anonymity in Cyberspace

[Queen Seok Duk]

If for some reason a government decides to block a particular website, say Youtube.

Now, I know it's possible to use a host of other proxy websites to access Youtube. You just need to key in the URL of Youtube in that proxy website, and you're immediately brought to Youtube.

The proxy websites are supposed to provide you with anonymity when you surf. So the chain goes like this:

My computer --> ISP proxy server --> surf anonymous proxy server -->Youtube.

So far so good.

Now, my condo has had wireless internet service installed by some commercial company, which is not the main ISP. I buy a coupon every month which gives me an user id and password.

I have seen the technicians from the company using laptops to check the server and routers whenever there is a network problem. Apparently, they know which website I'm at just by looking at their laptop, whereby my user id is identified.

Based on the above, does anyone know that I'm at Youtube (other than the surf anonymous proxy server) ?

 

[gbomega]

Yes, it is possible...

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

Yes, it is possible...

How ? That really is my question. At which phase of the chain ?

 

[Glaringly]

If you are working in MNC, they usually have their own private network ( direct lease circuit to HQ or other branches ) which have a gateway to Internet. That was more then 10 years ago while I am still working in a MNC, not sure about today, since direct Internet connection sounds relatively cheap now.

 

[krafty]

the flow shld look like this:

My computer -> internet cloud -> ISP Proxy server -> internet cloud -> Internet Anonymous Proxy -> YouTube

Btw, the ISP proxy server may be used by them to conduct their surveillance. I remember nong nong time ago when I visit an ISP in Malaysia, they actually have a dedicated terminal to see who is logged-on on the internet.

Also, if they placed sniffer-like technology infront of ISP Proxy(More likely) or before the gateway to youtube, you will be nabbed. Same applies to Sammyboy.

My computer --> ISP proxy server --> surf anonymous proxy server -->Youtube.

 

[Glaringly]

I have seen the technicians from the company using laptops to check the server and routers whenever there is a network problem. Apparently, they know which website I'm at just by looking at their laptop, whereby my user id is identified.

Based on the above, does anyone know that I'm at Youtube (other than the surf anonymous proxy server) ?

More specifically to your question. The technicians knows, because your login information is send in clear text to the proxy sites you are accessing.

Same as ISP they are able to trace your "clear text" apart from your IP.

 

[Jabba]

In other words...u better stop surfing child porn sites...

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

More specifically to your question. The technicians knows, because your login information is send in clear text to the proxy sites you are accessing.

Same as ISP they are able to trace your "clear text" apart from your IP.

So what purpose does "surf anonymous" kind of website serve ?

 

[Glaringly]

So what purpose does "surf anonymous" kind of website serve ?

At least it mask the IP. Perhaps you should look for a site that can have encyption.

That is.. sending out from your PC as encrypted message instead of clear text.

 

[krafty]

To prevent some websites that you are accessing from tracing your IP.

So what purpose does "surf anonymous" kind of website serve ?

 

[krafty]

how will they know? the most these technicians at your condo will be able to see that you are accessing certain proxy website. Proxy sites won't know your login info,for god's sake!

More specifically to your question. The technicians knows, because your login information is send in clear text to the proxy sites you are accessing.

Same as ISP they are able to trace your "clear text" apart from your IP.

 

[Glaringly]

how will they know? the most these technicians at your condo will be able to see that you are accessing certain proxy website. Proxy sites won't know your login info,for god's sake!

You hear about datascope? And further, we cannot rule out they do not have another proxy server (or store and forward) installed!

 

[krafty]

you think QSD doing some kind of spy work from her condo. Why will a setup at private condo do something like this to track its residents?

you think too complicated liao and may i ask what good does it have to forward your login info to another proxy? Doesn't make sense...

You hear about datascope? And further, we cannot rule out they do not have another proxy server (or store and forward) installed!

 

[Glaringly]

The technician are there for problem resolving, I don't know QSD is doing what.

All I do is to reply QSD to the best of my knowledge ( 20 ~ 30 years of IT ), what are the possiblities.

Btw, the internet cloud in your first reply is non-existence ( to ISP ).

you think QSD doing some kind of spy work from her condo. Why will a setup at private condo do something like this to track its residents?

you think too complicated liao and may i ask what good does it have to forward your login info to another proxy? Doesn't make sense...

 

[scroobal]

Its meant to hide your true identity from others but not the authorities. Anon servers will ready hand over the details if a court order is provided. They have followed a landmark court ruling involving a scandinavian anon server many years.

To explain simply, if you are defamed via the net, your lawyer can go to court and get the court order to serve on the ISP that allowed ingress. They follow a protocol and getting details from overseas ISPs. If the Anon server does not cooperate, to avoid further laibility, they are blacklisted and access for their main business is denied. So they will hand over the info.

You only get away if you use internet surf shops that don't register your details and no CCTV.

So what purpose does "surf anonymous" kind of website serve ?

 

[Ramseth]

I think it's quite safe. For so long they couldn't even find and arrest Krafty. So it's even more safe for the rest of us.

 

[Glaringly]

Ok, I suppose technically you can hide but not legally due to disclosure policy, otherwise hackers will go away scotch free.

But the surrendering only takes place if you have committed an offense which is international agreed? Yes, No?

Its meant to hide your true identity from others but not the authorities. Anon servers will ready hand over the details if a court order is provided. They have followed a landmark court ruling involving a scandinavian anon server many years.

To explain simply, if you are defamed via the net, your lawyer can go to court and get the court order to serve on the ISP that allowed ingress. They follow a protocol and getting details from overseas ISPs. If the Anon server does not cooperate, to avoid further laibility, they are blacklisted and access for their main business is denied. So they will hand over the info.

You only get away if you use internet surf shops that don't register your details and no CCTV.

 

[Ramseth]

I advise all. There's no such thing as internet confidentiality or anonymity in Singapore. If you want that, try CCs in Malaysia or Thailand that don't bother to take your IC. Another thing, this one to your comfort, the MDA and police are very busy with other things, they couldn't be bothered with you unless you do something really earth shattering, or at least city shattering, which you're incapable of even if you want to. So don't flatter yourself. Nobody is looking for you or could be bothered about you.

 

[eatshitndie]

I advise all. There's no such thing as internet confidentiality or anonymity in Singapore. If you want that, try CCs in Malaysia or Thailand that don't bother to take your IC. Another thing, this one to your comfort, the MDA and police are very busy with other things, they couldn't be bothered with you unless you do something really earth shattering, or at least city shattering, which you're incapable of even if you want to. So don't flatter yourself. Nobody is looking for you or could be bothered about you.

yes, yes, and yes.

pretty much, there's little to no anonymity with international gov agencies and authorities which have the technology and ability to track you down to enforce laws on cyber crimes on the internet, i.e. if you commit something that really pisses off some big corporation or gov entity. however, good hackers are still able to skirt the trackdown by using proxies, or lots of bots in several "randomised" or victimized locations. as an ordinary contributor of shit stories posting from a toa payoh flat on forums such as this, your anonymity is just skin deep, barely enough to throw off the unsophisticated member.

for the majority of the stupid common folks here, yes, you remain anonymous by being careful about your posting and not revealing personal info or clues that will lead even a moron to construct a profile. i think this kind of anonymity is adequate for members at a peer level.

for some who have the technology and knowledge to conduct sophisticated ip tracing, they can track you down to your toa payoh flat. for the authorities, they can easily arm twist or get a court order or subpoena to force the isp to reveal all your online activities. every message can be traced to ports, to routers, to the originating computer, which is basically an ip node in the connected network. and every computer has a unique ip address, either it is ipv4 or ipv6, i.e. if you're connected to the public internet.

one way of throwing off the authorities or those in the know is to use someone else's computer, and use them all over the planet and at very random timing and locations. a pseudo random pattern or less than random operation can get your arse grabbed by the long arms of the law. anyone who goes from internet cafes to internet cafes and randomised their postings from several locations and computers can probably get away with insulting the admin. however, if you need to turn in your id to get an hour at an internet cafe, you're still trackable.

word of caution for those who are stuck in your toa payoh flat: don't try to be funny making libelious and slanderous statements against your pappa and think that "anonymity" on sbf can protect you.

 

[eatshitndie]

Its meant to hide your true identity from others but not the authorities. Anon servers will ready hand over the details if a court order is provided. They have followed a landmark court ruling involving a scandinavian anon server many years.

To explain simply, if you are defamed via the net, your lawyer can go to court and get the court order to serve on the ISP that allowed ingress. They follow a protocol and getting details from overseas ISPs. If the Anon server does not cooperate, to avoid further laibility, they are blacklisted and access for their main business is denied. So they will hand over the info.

You only get away if you use internet surf shops that don't register your details and no CCTV.

all true.

most of the internet cafes these days have cctvs at the counter or kiosk where the token is obtained or payment is made. somehow, somewhere, cameras are everywhere.