Is online anonymity possible today?

Absolute anonymity online is a myth. The question isn't whether your online activity can be tracked, but how difficult it is. Using anonymization tools requires effort and knowledge of the nuances: technical, legal, and ethical.

Introduction In a world where every step leaves a digital trace, anonymity seems like a utopia. Tracking our online activity has become commonplace: websites collect information about our preferences, search engines remember our queries, and social media networks monitor our every move. But what if you want to keep your privacy private or protect your data from fraudsters? Complete anonymity online is impossible today. The question is how much time and resources a person or organization is willing to spend tracking your online activity. However, there are numerous ways to make tracking a user completely unprofitable. Today, we'll delve into both aspects of cybersecurity: how to protect personal information and how to expose attackers.

Anonymization tools. There are many different anonymization tools, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the most popular ones.

Proxy servers. A proxy is an intermediate server that acts as an intermediary between a user and the website they are accessing. When a user accesses a website, the request first passes through the proxy server and is then forwarded to its destination. As a result, the website sees the proxy server's IP address, not the user's. The advantages include ease of use and broad functionality. Setting up a proxy server generally doesn't require any technical knowledge. Simply adjust your browser or operating system settings by following detailed instructions. Proxy servers can also be used to restrict access to certain websites or resources—for example, blocking social media in an office. Administrators can use proxy servers to monitor user activity. The disadvantages include weak security and a low level of anonymity. Free proxy servers often lack sufficient security and can be used to collect your personal data. They are also easily tracked, which can lead to your identity being revealed.

Types of Proxy Servers: HTTP(S) proxies use the HTTP and HTTPS protocols to redirect internet traffic, providing basic anonymity. SOCKS proxies operate at the TCP/UDP level, allowing the redirection of any type of network traffic. They provide a higher degree of anonymity, as they are not limited to web traffic. SSL proxies use the SSL protocol to encrypt data transmitted between the client and server, increasing security and privacy. CGI proxies act as intermediaries between the web server and scripting languages. They process requests from the web browser and run scripts, providing the user with ready-made web content.

Anonymous Browsers Anonymous browsers are software that hide a user's IP address and other identifying data, making their web browsing more private. They operate in different ways, but the basic idea is to encrypt traffic and send it through multiple servers, making it difficult to track a user's location and online activities. Some anonymous browsers rely on proxy servers or VPNs, but others use their own unique technology. An example is the Tor browser, which is banned in the Russian Federation.

Tor is banned not only in Russia, but also in China, Iran, Belarus, Turkmenistan, and many other countries. It operates on the principle of "onion routing," where internet traffic is encrypted and transmitted through a network of relays (nodes) located around the world. When a user sends a request to the internet, Tor encrypts it repeatedly using several layers of encryption. Tor then chooses a random path through the network of relays. Each relay only knows the IP address of the previous and next nodes, but does not know your original IP address. As the request passes through each relay, layers of encryption are removed until the final destination is reached. Because traffic passes through multiple relays, tracing its source becomes very difficult. Each relay sees only a portion of the traffic and cannot link it to the user.

Blockchain—the technology behind cryptocurrencies—is often associated with anonymity. The idea of ​​a decentralized system where transactions are recorded in a public but immutable ledger seems like the perfect solution for those seeking to protect their privacy. Imagine you have a book that anyone can write to, but no one has the right to change. This ledger is called a distributed ledger and is stored on all computers in a blockchain network. Here's how it works: Someone wants to add a new entry to the ledger (for example, about a money transfer). The entry is verified by all computers in the network and added to a block. This block, in turn, is appended to previous blocks, creating a chain. Changing previous blocks is virtually impossible, as doing so would require changing the information on all computers in the network simultaneously. Blockchain has quickly found application in finance, but its use for anonymity is not limited to cryptocurrency. For example, blockchain can be used in anonymous messaging apps, for anonymous storage of medical data, and for anonymous voting. Cryptocurrency has simply turned out to be the most popular blockchain-based invention.

Cryptocurrency. In traditional financial systems, transactions are processed through centralized banks. Blockchain, however, lacks a single control center, making it much more difficult to track transactions from sender to recipient. However, reality is more complex. Most popular blockchains are transparent and public. If you can determine who owns a particular crypto wallet, you can track the movement of funds through the transaction history on the blockchain.

The blockchains of the two most popular cryptocurrencies, BTC and ETH, are public and transparent, and most centralized crypto exchanges (CEXs) require clients to comply with KYC (know your customer) and AML (anti-money laundering) regulations, allowing them to link a crypto wallet to a specific identity. Decentralized, algorithmically powered crypto exchanges (DEXs) also exist in the crypto industry. These typically lack strict KYC and AML requirements to help verify identity. However, they are complex to use, and exchanging cryptocurrency for traditional dollars, rubles, and other currencies is problematic. However, there are specialized cryptocurrencies that provide strong anonymity under any circumstances. A good example is Monero, which uses a number of special mechanisms to make it extremely cost-effective to track transactions and link them to a specific user. However, Monero's popularity among criminals and terrorists has led financial regulators in many countries to impose restrictions on its use. In general, the more anonymity a cryptocurrency offers, the more likely it is to be banned by regulators.

Remote servers and cloud technologies can also be used to hide a user's location, but they are less effective than the tools mentioned above. For example, a user could store their data on a remote server located in another country or create virtual machines in a cloud operating abroad. This conceals the user's true location, although the cloud provider may have access to this information.

Steganography. Encryption is often mentioned in the world of cybersecurity, but few people talk about steganography—a method of concealing the fact that data is being transmitted. Steganography is nothing new and has existed long before the internet. In the digital world, it has acquired new capabilities. For example, a text message can be hidden within a graphic file. Another example: one user sends another an email that looks like a shopping list. The second user knows the key that allows them to read the hidden information. Even if an unauthorized person intercepts the email, it will be useless.

Mask or Shield? Moral and Legal Dilemmas. The internet as a means of communication offers ample opportunities to express one's views and participate in public debate. However, it also gives rise to a number of ethical and legal controversies related to anonymity. On the one hand, anonymity can serve as a shield against harassment, threats, and discrimination, ensuring freedom of speech and the open exchange of ideas. On the other hand, it can become a mask for concealing illegal activity, spreading false information, and inciting hatred. Let's examine these nuances in more detail.

Online anonymity regulation in different countries. Approaches to online anonymity regulation vary significantly across countries. For example, China has the "Great Firewall," which blocks access to certain websites and applications. The government monitors citizens' online activity, limiting anonymity. In Western countries, anonymity regulation is more lenient, but this trend is changing amid the escalating political situation globally. There is a trend toward regionalization of the internet and stricter measures to control online anonymity.