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Unprecedented Spike In TOR .Onion Nodes (profwoodward.org)

Posted by whipslash on from the tor-files dept.

Martin S. writes: The Tor project is reporting an unprecedented rise in unique .Onion nodes, rising from around 40k to 60k in just a few days, says security researcher Professor Woodward. I wonder is this could possible be related to Shari Steel plan to push Tor mainstream, as reported on /. a few days ago.

5 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Encryption trojans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There's a recent spike in encryption trojans, too. The recovery-keys are provided through TOR.
    e.g.
    http://1.f.ix.de/scale/geometry/695/q75/imgs/18/1/7/5/3/8/0/5/locky-desktop-9dc10fc8250d6db0.png

    Looks like its generating specific servers to get the keys from for every victim.

    1. Re:Encryption trojans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Yes, i have seen this trojan twice last week, in different company, sure that the increase of tor's nodes come from that.

  2. Re:Smells like Government plan to me... by KGIII · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That's how I understand it but I too am not an expert. I also understand that it's most important when you leave the .onion domains and enter the "clearnet." (When using it as a proxy, for example.) I guess if someone can see enough of the internet at one time then they can also use traffic shaping and timing to single out a user. So long as you remain on the .onion networks you are reasonably safe - some say completely safe.

    Now, safe means that you are safe technically. It does not mean you're safe otherwise. You still need to avoid identifying browser characteristics/fingerprints. You need to not leak personal information of any kind and that includes keeping scripting off (or very selective and with great attention to care) and not installing extensions that single you out or may leak the data to a third party. Assuming one is attentive enough to practice safe-hex, they're reasonable secure - with a high level of certainty.

    As always, safety needs to be weighed against your goals and the risks you're willing to take to reach them. Security is a process, not an application and nothing is completely secure.

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  3. Sceptical old me by liqu1d · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This reads more of an ad for Ricochet than anything substantial.

  4. Re:Sites, not nodes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    How does the Tor swarm work anyway when most people don't have open ports for listening? Btw I'm posting this from Tor, kudos to Slashdot for allowing it when most sites are a PITA to use from Tor.