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Gmail Security Is a Problem For Tor Users In Repressive Countries

blottsie writes Google is a long-time contributor to the Tor Project. But a security feature in Gmail poses a potential problem for Tor users who live under dangerous regimes or otherwise need to protect their anonymity, reports Joseph Cox at the Daily Dot. The email service kicks users out of their login session if it detects logins from IP addresses originating in other countries, then requires a user to enter a PIN code sent to a cellphone. Unless the user has a burner phone, this could potentially betray his or her identity to authorities.

2 of 74 comments (clear)

  1. Mobile generated codes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Ever heard of https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447?hl=en

    1. Re:Mobile generated codes by stephanruby · · Score: 4, Informative

      Ever heard of https://support.google.com/acc...

      That was my first thought. And before someone gets upset at needing a mobile device or a computing device in order to generate that pin number. Google even allows you to use pre-made pin codes, so if you're ever caught in a foreign land where the authorities are about to knock down your door, you just need to swallow the paper containing those codes.