Protecting your Online Privacy
I thought I had better make a start to this post after the 'Big six ISPs capitulate to music industry' and have started being proactive with P2P file sharing monitoring.
This is going to be a work in progress so that other users have a chance to add their own advice for staying safe and anonymous online.
Peer Guardian
Peer Guardian blocks IP addresses that have been added to its massive blacklist of known addresses that are affiliated with anti privacy organisations, governments, P2P surveillance, advertisers and spyware peddlers. The blacklist currently has 774104027 addresses that have been associated with organisations that seek to use your private information against you.
OpenDNS
OpenDNS is a replacement DNS service for your own ISPs DNS. When visiting sites your computer requires the DNS service to convert the domain name (e.g tartanterrorist.com) into an IP address (e.g 209.51.221.50) of the computer where the site is held. If you use you ISPs domain name service then your ISP will have access to the logs of all site that you have requested. For example this can be used against if you were to visit http://thepiratebay.org/tor/4153940/Linux_Ubuntu_8.04_Desktop_i386_Hardy..., your ISP would now know that you had visited this page and that there is a good chance that you have started downloading the file Linux_Ubuntu_8.04_Desktop_i386_Hardy_Heron.
Encryption
Why using Tor with bittorent isn't a good idea
Encryption is now commonly available in most bittorrent clients and will allow you to mask the traffic that goes through your ISP to your computer. This is probably the most useful defence as the majority of bittorrent traffic requires connection to the bittorrent tracker that usually goes from you to the tracker in clear text meaning anyone on the same network or in between will be able to see what you are requesting. (usually what piece of the file in bittorrent case).
You will find the option to turn on encryption in most bittorrent client's options menu.
Tor
Tor although not used for downloading is one of the most popular anonymising software used. It allows you to connect through a private network of servers before heading into the real www. Unfortunately the servers on this private network are volunteers so the speeds are not capable of handling download speeds. However there is an option in most bittorrent clients to use this network for what I assume is connection to the torrents trackers instead of the actual files of the download.
If you do want to try Tor then I would recommend Vidalia as it will install Tor easier and give you the option of installing the Torbutton Firefox extension that will allow you to turn your web browsing private in one click.
"Tor is a network of virtual tunnels that allows people and groups to improve their privacy and security on the Internet. It also enables software developers to create new communication tools with built-in privacy features. Tor provides the foundation for a range of applications that allow organizations and individuals to share information over public networks without compromising their privacy."
I'll add more when I get time but those should get you started in the mean time.
P.S I'm Scottish so my english is supposed to be bad =D
- Andy's blog
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Comments
I've just been reading that the links to movie trailers in the comment section on TPB have IP trackers for recording your IP address to then match that up to your IP address from the bittorrent tracker. I would avoid any links in any site's comment section anyway but especially for movie trailers.
Dear --removed--
We recently received a complaint that you are suspected of breaking our Fair and acceptable usage policy.
IP Address: --removed--
Timestamp: 21 Jul 2008 16:52:58 GMT
File Name: The.Forbidden.Kingdom[2008]DvDrip-aXXo
Our 'Fair and acceptable usage policy' states, amongst other things, that Be's services cannot be used for:
'1. Sending or uploading unsolicited emails, advertising or promotional materials, offering to sell any goods or services, or conducting or forwarding surveys, contests or chain letters except that home members working from home as a sole trader in business on their own account or office members are permitted to send marketing communications in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 if sent in batches of no more than fifty (50) emails at any time, each individual campaign being sent to no more than five hundred (500) recipients, with no more than five (5) campaigns per month
2. Knowingly or negligently transmitting or uploading any electronic material (including, without limit, files that contain viruses, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programmes) which is known or likely to cause, interrupt, damage, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software, hardware or telecommunications equipment owned by Be or any other Internet user or person
3. Activities that invade another's privacy, cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to any person'
Please review our entire 'Fair and acceptable usage policy' and our Terms and Conditions by visiting BeThere.co.uk/termsandconditions
Please stop any activity described in this letter – we take such matters very seriously. If we receive additional complaints about your use of Be's services in contravention of our terms and conditions or policies we will exercise our discretion (with or without further notice to you) to block such traffic and/or suspend your account and/or terminate your services. Obviously, we would prefer not to do so.
We do understand this may be happening without your knowledge or consent so please make sure your connection is secure as you are responsible for any improper use of your broadband services and must ensure that no one other than you has access to your account.
Yours sincerely,
Be UnLimited.
Not really much info to go on the now, I'm assuming the IP address was retrieved from the tracker when requesting pieces of the file, PeerGuardian should block this assuming the company that found the IP address is part of the blacklist. BTW this wasn't sent to me.