Anonymity online....

[Eiji Takanaka]

Computers are generally generically configured to give away a large amount of personal identity to other computers/other users.

This is somewhat similar to the way a phone directory works. There are though people in a phone directory for example, who may not wish to be listed, and have the right to remain unlisted.

Is this then a human right that should be respected? The right to remain anonymous, should we so choose it?

If we accept this to be a human-right, and that sometimes people do not wish to be out in the open, so to speak, then.....

What are the logical steps that could be taken to protect such a right?

On the counter-side.....

What are the logical steps to eliminate such a right?

Feel free to discuss the pro's and con's of online anonymity. =)

[Bachstelze]

I mostly agree with Bruce here http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2010/02/anonymity_and_t_3.html, in particular:


Attempts to banish anonymity from the Internet won't affect those savvy enough to bypass it, would cost billions, and would have only a negligible effect on security. What such attempts would do is affect the average user's access to free speech, including those who use the Internet's anonymity to survive: dissidents in Iran, China, and elsewhere.

[Eiji Takanaka]

The first logical compromise in a future possible 1984 type scenario, would be the school system. Introduce a test at a young age, to ascertain potential intelligence levels.

Divert funding to these 'projects' to programme/monitor as required.

Having to go to school is the first 'check-point' so to speak.

These intelligence tests would then pick-out the l33t kids before they even knew they were l33t. (unless they were uber-l33t kids in which case they might spoof their test-results ;)

Can you programme? Heres a computer when your 5 years old, lets see what you can do.

These kids will logically be recruited by corporations, when they are only children still.

They will be put through a strenuous programme in order to cultivate their skill-set to best suit the corporation.

Blissfully unaware.

Hopefully this is more of a sci-fi storyline than a reality.

Venienti occurrite morbo though.

=P

[Bachstelze]

What on earth does that have to do with online anonymity, though?

[Eiji Takanaka]

Everything......

[Eiji Takanaka]

or nothing at all ;)

[Dangertux]

Weeeeee ok...

IMO anonymity online or anywhere else is an illusion. You can take measures to obfuscate reality but you can never completely hide it. Look at Tor it makes a lot of claims for anonymity however you can still watch Tor traffic.

Bot nets are the same they strive to be anonymous but in the end can be tracked through monitoring dns traffic.

Bottom line anonymity is a nice illusion that doesn't exist.

[perspectoff]

Weeeeee ok...

IMO anonymity online or anywhere else is an illusion. You can take measures to obfuscate reality but you can never completely hide it. Look at Tor it makes a lot of claims for anonymity however you can still watch Tor traffic.

Bot nets are the same they strive to be anonymous but in the end can be tracked through monitoring dns traffic.

Bottom line anonymity is a nice illusion that doesn't exist.

Tor should only be used with encryption. RTFM.

[Eiji Takanaka]

You start throwing pebbles into a pond from the same place, even if you remain hidden, with enough stone throws the trajectory could be calculated.

Same principle as a sniper in a way i guess ;)

Best bet would be to stay on the move.

Throw multiple stones.

Set a few stones to be thrown automatically by using a machine that can time when to throw the stones, pre-programmed so to speak.

So that your no where near the stone throwing. Your chillaxing having a beer and doing a tad of fishing.

I suppose that would be the best way.

If you wanted to throw stones that is ;)