An Assessment of Current Attacks on Anonymous Networks

Abstract

Anonymous networks are important for maintaining ones privacy on the internet. However, these networks can be used for both good and bad. While a humanitarian worker may use one to spread the word about atrocities committed by an oppressive regime, a person with malicious intent might use it to compromise a system anonymously. To this extent, it is important for law enforcement to understand anonymous networks and how they can be countered in a criminal investigation. Many attacks against networks such as Tor already exist. Some of these attacks require resources inaccessible to the average investigator. This thesis attempts to identify mechanisms that law enforcement can utilize to track cyber criminals that use anonymous networks.