Silk Road forums

Discussion => Security => Topic started by: Heyenezz on January 23, 2012, 09:12 pm

Title: Automatically Change Tor Identity Every X Minutes?
Post by: Heyenezz on January 23, 2012, 09:12 pm
How could I automatically change my Tor identity every X minutes?

How often should I change it?

How much does changing my Tor identity at this rate interfer with my use of Tor Hidden services (e.g., Tormail, SR, SR forums), the SR SILC chatroom, and whatever else I might do with Tor?

Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Automatically Change Tor Identity Every X Minutes?
Post by: TravellingWithoutMoving on January 23, 2012, 11:01 pm
...i couldn't find where i read about the 10min circuit/connection change, there is a relay DNS init which occurs every 10mins if the network is unavailable....
..from the Tor client you could manually force it to use a new connection...rather than waiting for the protocol and load to auto in background..
Title: Re: Automatically Change Tor Identity Every X Minutes?
Post by: kmfkewm on January 24, 2012, 02:07 am
Why would you want to change your circuit faster?
Title: Re: Automatically Change Tor Identity Every X Minutes?
Post by: Heyenezz on January 24, 2012, 04:00 am
Why would you want to change your circuit faster?

If there's little extra hassle with an increase in security, then I might as well.
Title: Re: Automatically Change Tor Identity Every X Minutes?
Post by: zifnab on January 24, 2012, 04:39 am
Correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't changing your circuit faster opens you up to traffic analysis..?
Title: Re: Automatically Change Tor Identity Every X Minutes?
Post by: kmfkewm on January 24, 2012, 10:34 am
Correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't changing your circuit faster opens you up to traffic analysis..?

faster circuit creation means that an attacker will be able to trace one of your circuits faster, but it also means they will only be able to trace your circuit for ten minutes worth of surfing instead of say an hours worth. Hidden services use dedicated circuits though so increasing the speed at which circuits are created will actually hurt your anonymity and give no added benefit.