The flawed business of online anonymity [article]

[Andrew Bitcoiner]

http://technologyspectator.com.au/security/identity-management/flawed-business-online-anonymity

[JDBound]

Thanks for posting this. Also if you're interested check out https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=40783.0

[iamzill]

Are there any VPN out there that accepts bitcoin payments?

Any other payment method is traceable so I know those so-called "bullet proof" VPN are bullshit when the FBI can always access their payments list with a warrant. Foreign based VPNs have too much latency.

If there isn't one yet I'll consider starting my own. I know tor is free, but it's too damn slow for general usage (at least for my tastes).

[Xenland]

Nice article. I always knew VPNS were no good.... and by no good I mean log your data which in turn is no good....

[repentance]

Are there any VPN out there that accepts bitcoin payments?

AirVPN according to this article.

http://falkvinge.net/2011/09/27/never-trust-a-vpn-provider-that-doesnt-accept-bitcoin/

[BkkCoins]

I've used Amazon EC2 many times to run a very cheap SSH proxy and VPN would be easy to do too. I use my Amazon account which is tied to me by credit card so I know this is no good for anonymity.

But has anyone ever bought an Amazon gift card with BTC and then try that for an EC2 instance?

I don't know if a gift card acts like a prepaid card or just how it works. I'm curious about it though as an EC2 instance has worked well for me in the past and having full admin control over logging / software / keys etc is a good idea. My guess is they won't let you start an EC2 instance without an actual credit card tied to an address. Anyone explored this before?

(IP logging isn't such an issue as in Bangkok there is free public wifi and thousands of wifi cafes that should be pretty anonymous if carefully used)

[t3a]

Anonymity is flawed if you do it wrong.

Using a proxy? You're doing it wrong!
Giving out any DOX? You're doing it wrong!
Going to a cryptography conference and using British spellings of words? You could still be doing it wrong: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/10/03/141011155/did-a-reporter-just-solve-the-bitcoin-mystery

Tor? Yes.

[trentzb]

AWS works fine with a virtual visa which many don't have addresses tied to. I believe AWS requires phone activation though IIRC. Look for an anonymous DID.