Bitcoin Forum

Bitcoin => Bitcoin Discussion => Topic started by: flatfly on July 02, 2012, 08:26:36 PM



Title: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: flatfly on July 02, 2012, 08:26:36 PM
I often get asked how a Bitcoin transaction can be made anonymously.

As the answer is not that simple, and I couldn't find a hands-on document on this subject,
I've tried to compile the research I've done so far in an easy-to-read guide, which can be found there (http://dre.tx0.org/anon_btc.htm).

It's still very much a work in progress, so feel free to analyze, comment or point out any mistakes, omissions, or inaccuracies. I know it can still be improved in many ways, but I hope it can answer some of the most common concerns about Bitcoin and anonymous transactions already.


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: Stephen Gornick on July 02, 2012, 10:55:51 PM
Would accessing Blockchain.info/wallet via Tor pretty much give you everything you need?  

 Tor + CoinControl?

 - http://Blockchain.info/wallet


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: flatfly on July 03, 2012, 09:45:25 AM
Would accessing Blockchain.info/wallet via Tor pretty much give you everything you need?  

 Tor + CoinControl?

 - http://Blockchain.info/wallet

The custom send function of BlockChain.info does look pretty nice (I wasn't aware
of its CoinControl-like capability) and it's great that you can easily access it via Tor!

However, there are also 2 cons I can identify with it:

- change address:
 while it allows some control over the change address, it doesn't support
 specifying an arbitrary change address, as far as I can see.

- I guess you do need to trust the Blockchain.info server not to spy / keep
  usage data on you

However, I will test it some more as I do think it is very promising.

In the meantime, I have updated and rewritten large portions of my guide, and the
approach and ideas are presented in a more consistent way now.



Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: kangasbros on July 03, 2012, 09:57:35 AM
The easiest way is to use a web wallet. However this only works if you trust the site operator.


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: Endgame on July 03, 2012, 11:53:23 AM
i'm not sure how happy tor users will be if people start downloading the blockchain through tor


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: bitcats on July 03, 2012, 12:05:22 PM
It would be great to have buttons for offline transactions in the Electrum GUI (not only on the command line).


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: flatfly on July 03, 2012, 04:51:02 PM
i'm not sure how happy tor users will be if people start downloading the blockchain through tor

Indeed. I hope Bitcoin-Qt will be smart enough not to download the blockchain itself through Tor.

Here's what's been announced so far for 0.7.0, re Tor support:

We're very close to adding much improved Tor support to Bitcoin, so it will most likely be in 0.7.0.

Among other things:
  • Support for running as and connecting to Bitcoin hidden services
  • Peer exchange of Bitcoin hidden services
  • Non-leaking DNS seeding via proxy



Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: bitcats on July 03, 2012, 05:04:05 PM
My dream: finding a Bitcoin-related job! I would probably say YES right away!
I have a job to offer: Creating a small but fine website for 80 BTC.


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: flatfly on July 03, 2012, 05:13:37 PM
My dream: finding a Bitcoin-related job! I would probably say YES right away!
I have a job to offer: Creating a small but fine website for 80 BTC.

Wow that was fast, I just updated my signature 5 minutes ago :)
I'm not the greatest website expert, but PM me with more details on your requirements
to see what's possible.


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: Ente on July 04, 2012, 07:23:16 AM
Thank you for your guide. It looks good!
However, one big obstacle was not covered yet: How to get Bitcoin to begin with? I definitely do not trust MtGox on this one.
One could mine on p2pool, where no registration is needed (nor possible) and you receive Bitcoin right from the coinbase of the mined block.
Or trade Bitcoin offline, swap cash with a usb stick.
Or, if you trust the concept and operator, use a tumbler to wash your initial coins. TORwallet comes to mind, among a few others.

Thanks for compiling all this, this is important knowledge!

Ente


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: flatfly on July 04, 2012, 11:14:12 AM
Thank you for your guide. It looks good!
However, one big obstacle was not covered yet: How to get Bitcoin to begin with? I definitely do not trust MtGox on this one.
One could mine on p2pool, where no registration is needed (nor possible) and you receive Bitcoin right from the coinbase of the mined block.
Or trade Bitcoin offline, swap cash with a usb stick.
Or, if you trust the concept and operator, use a tumbler to wash your initial coins. TORwallet comes to mind, among a few others.

Thanks for compiling all this, this is important knowledge!

Ente

Thanks a lot for your feedback and suggestions!
I agree that a section on getting anonymous BTC to start with would be good to add. I will look into it some more.


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: bitcats on July 04, 2012, 11:50:38 AM

I agree that a section on getting anonymous BTC to start with would be good to add. I will look into it some more.
The easiest way is to send me EUR and i send you clean, anonymous and nice-looking bitcoins  ;)


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: CoinDiner on July 04, 2012, 08:41:06 PM
@bitcats   Is that a serious offer?


Title: Re: Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions
Post by: bitcats on July 05, 2012, 07:15:03 AM
@bitcats   Is that a serious offer?
Yes with SEPA transfer (takes 2 days). I guess you are not in Germany?