Big Data and Mass Surveillance

[pbleak]

Of possible interest to members of this forum I am sure:
http://www.fact.co.uk/media/55667460/Big-Data-and-Mass-Surveillance_Paul_Ennis.pdf

Bitcoin mentioned toward the end in a list of cryptographic tools:
(2) 
Bitcoin:  a  form  of  virtual  currency,  specifically  cryptocurrency,  that  allows  for 
the  possibility,  albeit  again  not  perfect,  of  relatively  anonymous  transactions 
(relative  to  PayPal,  for  instance).

[Rishblitz]

That's pretty funny that it is important enough to be in a surveillance report.

[pbleak]

That's pretty funny that it is important enough to be in a surveillance report.

Ha, indeed, one of the three great evils alongside Tor and PGP 

[Rishblitz]

I wonder if tor has been cracked though.

[pbleak]

Possibly, but better than nothing. Though certainly I imagine a lot of people think it's super-secure without considering how it might not be (though the Tor people do warn people about that).

[Rishblitz]

Possibly, but better than nothing. Though certainly I imagine a lot of people think it's super-secure without considering how it might not be (though the Tor people do warn people about that).

they have been making new updates but people don't update it what a shame 

[98problems]

I wonder if tor has been cracked though.

If an attacker wanted to they would be able to (assuming they had enough resources). All they would need to do would be to create enough exit nodes and entry guards and they could pull off a timing attack on most users.

I would say that bitcoin would be much more difficult to trace, especially when you use services like bitcoin fog and bitmixer and considering the fact that you do not need to actually monitor an address to receive funds to it and the fact that any people have legit reasons to monitor addresses they have no connection to

[ObscureBean]

No big surprise there. Anything that is not controlled (to a satisfactory level) by the system but has a large number of followers would most likely be monitored. Schemes to evade taxes and drug markets like silk road are also probably reason enough for them to keep an eye on Bitcoin/cryptocurrencies.

[Rishblitz]

I wonder if tor has been cracked though.

If an attacker wanted to they would be able to (assuming they had enough resources). All they would need to do would be to create enough exit nodes and entry guards and they could pull off a timing attack on most users.

I would say that bitcoin would be much more difficult to trace, especially when you use services like bitcoin fog and bitmixer and considering the fact that you do not need to actually monitor an address to receive funds to it and the fact that any people have legit reasons to monitor addresses they have no connection to

besides the government I don't see that many people having the resources to do that