Possible upcoming attempts to disable the Tor network

The Tor project just posted this on their blog

The Tor Project has learned that there may be an attempt to incapacitate our network in the next few days through the seizure of specialized servers in the network called directory authorities. (Directory authorities help Tor clients learn the list of relays that make up the Tor network.) We are taking steps now to ensure the safety of our users, and our system is already built to be redundant so that users maintain anonymity even if the network is attacked. Tor remains safe to use.

We hope that this attack doesn't occur; Tor is used by many good people. If the network is affected, we will immediately inform users via this blog and our Twitter feed @TorProject, along with more information if we become aware of any related risks to Tor users.

The Tor network provides a safe haven from surveillance, censorship, and computer network exploitation for millions of people who live in repressive regimes, including human rights activists in countries such as Iran, Syria, and Russia. People use the Tor network every day to conduct their daily business without fear that their online activities and speech (Facebook posts, email, Twitter feeds) will be tracked and used against them later. Millions more also use the Tor network at their local internet cafe to stay safe for ordinary web browsing.

Tor is also used by banks, diplomatic officials, members of law enforcement, bloggers, and many others. Attempts to disable the Tor network would interfere with all of these users, not just ones disliked by the attacker.

Every person has the right to privacy. This right is a foundation of a democratic society. For example, if Members of the British Parliament or US Congress cannot share ideas and opinions free of government spying, then they cannot remain independent from other branches of government. If journalists are unable to keep their sources confidential, then the ability of the press to check the power of the government is compromised. If human rights workers can't report evidence of possible crimes against humanity, it is impossible for other bodies to examine this evidence and to react. In the service of justice, we believe that the answer is to open up communication lines for everyone, securely and anonymously.

The Tor network provides online anonymity and privacy that allow freedom for everyone. Like freedom of speech, online privacy is a right for all.

The fact that they use the word seizure seems to indicate that it will be government action.


Comments


[49 Points] buckethead--:

I hope that it DOES occur, because that's that's the only way that 'dark' seems to be able push forward. Any weakness should be exposed and attacked, only to deliver more robust technology. Why the hell is this stuff still based on single servers, while Freenet figured a way out of that a decade ago? Sure, it's slow, but it works.


[16 Points] secretivesanta710:

Well let's suppose the Tor network is disabled. How are we supposed to get our fucking drugs!? No way I'm going back to paying 50-60 for a cut of stems and seeds!


[6 Points] DarkHorseMarket:

Anyone care to elaborate on how likely an event this could be? I've got orders going out today, and something like this could mess up things major for me. Thanks.


[6 Points] ownowfuck:

If anything, this is related to North Korea vs. Sony, which in reality is just a smokescreen. The Sony hack was an inside job for sure.


[3 Points] None:

Oh well. There's I2P.


[3 Points] None:

Yes expose weakness so another Tor2.0 can be developed with even better security.


[1 Points] None:

Dude why does everyone hate on Tor? Its common as shit I mean yeah somethings on their are extremely bad but for the most part, its all great. I mean for the shit we use it for on here, its really great lol. This shit pisses me off. Because a lot of governments do use Tor to stay anonymous and keep their shit private.... and why attack the directory authories... that doesn't make much since to me. And yes the word seize does make it seem like the government is going to. But I'm sure that would be illegal somehow..


[2 Points] None:

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[2 Points] None:

If in the circumstance that the tor network is down, etc, will it be impossible to visit darknet markets 100%?


[2 Points] Color_of_Money:

Are you shitting me? I've spent the last couple weeks studying this process and decided to hold off until tomorrow to make my first purchase so I could be educated and prepared. I was so excited :(


[1 Points] None:

There's some good discussion on hacker news about this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8774833


[1 Points] None:

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[1 Points] totes_meta_bot:

This thread has been linked to from elsewhere on reddit.

If you follow any of the above links, respect the rules of reddit and don't vote or comment. Questions? Abuse? Message me here.


[0 Points] Xerxero:

Relax. Maybe it's going down but with a patch they will fix the attack vector.

It's like taking down the DNS server. Doesn't mean the whole internet is down.

Patch reboot add security


[-1 Points] None:

repressive regimes, including human rights activists in countries such as Iran, Syria, and Russia

ahahaha

the only repressive regime is US :D