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DistroWatch Finally Adds Support For IPv6 (distrowatch.com)
We've frequently linked to DistroWatch for their coverage of Linux package and release announcements. Now an anonymous reader writes: The DistroWatch website introduced IPv6 support on Friday and the new protocol has been getting a lot of attention. "Over 8% of our traffic this weekend came from IPv6 addresses," commented DistroWatch contributor Jesse Smith. "It was a pleasant surprise, we were not expecting that many people would be using IPv6 yet."
When asked why DistroWatch enabled IPv6 access to their server at this time, Smith answered: "Partly it was an experiment to see how much interest there was in IPv6. Partly it was because it is a little embarrassing (in 2016) to have a technology focused website that is not making use of IPv6."
When asked why DistroWatch enabled IPv6 access to their server at this time, Smith answered: "Partly it was an experiment to see how much interest there was in IPv6. Partly it was because it is a little embarrassing (in 2016) to have a technology focused website that is not making use of IPv6."
IPv6 would change the Internet fundamentally as it ends privacy and anonymity. Your 128-bit address most often will contain your device's 48-bit hardware MAC directly in the lower 64 bits (split by FE:FE). That MAC can track you across networks. Cookies become superfluous except as session variable holders (shopping cart). And for everything IP (incl UDP), not just HTTP[S].
Yes, I'm aware that DHCPv6 servers might anonymize the interface address, locally translating (hiding) the MAC as NATv4 currently does. Or you might be able to rewrite your MAC. Do you believe TPTB will encourage this? A dozen hw mfrs who need radio (FCC) approvals will be easy to pressure. The few non-MAC routers serve as a useful marker (surveillence filter) and can easily be tracked.