Berkman 2007 Circumvention Landscape and Progress

by phobos | March 5, 2009

The Berkman Center has released their report on the landscape of circumvention technologies as it was in 2007. Tor was included in this test and comes out as a secure tool with some improvements needed. Technology Review also picked up this report and wrote an article on the results.

Since the original publication of the report, we've responded to and improved a number of identified weaknesses. The main focus has been on usability of the software. Tor is easier to understand, configure, and install. We've worked on finding translators for the various parts of the suite of tools that comprise Tor. We developed and enhanced a Firefox plugin called Torbutton. The current Torbutton mitigates all known browser-based anonymity attacks. Torbutton is included in our bundles and is automatically installed into the user's Firefox browser configuration. Torbutton can be found at https://torproject.org/torbutton/ or https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2275.

In response to the demand for portability and ease of use, we created the Tor Browser Bundle. The Tor Browser Bundle lets you use Tor on Windows without needing to install any software. It can run off a USB flash drive, or any portable media, and comes with a pre-configured web browser and is self contained. The Tor IM Browser Bundle additionally allows instant messaging and chat. The bundle contains the Tor controller Vidalia, a portable version of Firefox, a caching http proxy called Polipo, the instant messaging client Pidgin with Off The Record client to client encryption for secure chats, and of course, the Tor proxy software. The Tor Browser Bundle can be found at https://torproject.org/torbrowser/.

There is an arms race between censors and circumvention tools. We've developed a number of features to prepare for the next few steps in this race. Some of these features involve the ability to use non-public relays and normalization of the Tor traffic to allow those in content denied environments the ability to continue to reach the information and communities they need. Much more research and experimentation needs to occur in the next few years to further enhance these features.

As part of its dedication to transparency and openness, The Tor Project has published its three year development roadmap, focused on providing anti-censorship tools and services for the advancement of Internet freedom in closed societies. While Tor's original goal was to provide online anonymity, many people around the world use Tor to get around Internet censorship, as well. Human Rights Watch and Global Voices Online have both recommended Tor as a tool to circumvent censorship regimes in oppressive nations. The roadmap is focused on providing anti-censorship tools and services for the advancement of Internet freedom in closed societies. This roadmap can be found at https://www.torproject.org/press/2008-12-19-roadmap-press-release.

Comments

Please note that the comment area below has been archived.

I see a double posting of the phrase from the last indent of the message:

[quote]
The Tor Project has published its three year development roadmap, **focused on providing anti-censorship tools and services for the advancement of Internet freedom in closed societies**. ...
[/quote]

[quote]
...in oppressive nations. The roadmap is **focused on providing anti-censorship tools and services for the advancement of Internet freedom in closed societies.**
[/quote]

June 08, 2009

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"The current Torbutton mitigates all known browser-based anonymity attacks. Torbutton is included in our bundles and is automatically installed into the user's Firefox browser configuration."

That's nice, but what if i didn't want Torbutton installed? Is there a simple way to uninstall it?

phobos

June 10, 2009

In reply to by Glycine (not verified)

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Yes, simply go to Firefox, Addons, and uninstall Torbutton.

July 09, 2009

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The best news for me is that you've included Firefox in your ideas. I can't move around without this browser so any application I install must be compliant.

Is that it can be run off portable media. You never have to install it and a lot of people carry around a USB stick anyways. Being able to run off a USB key is really convenient!

July 27, 2009

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That's nice, but what if i didn't want Torbutton installed? Is there a simple way to uninstall it?

July 28, 2009

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I sent a comment a week ago, but I couldn't find it or an answer going through the comments on the right. How does one search in comments? I typed in Tor toggle with no results.

Anyway, Tor seems to be working well, but I am unable to toggle it off when I do not need anonymous browsing. If I exit it, it simply gives a 404 page, and blocks browsing altogether.

Solution?

well, these are comments. we're working on a support forum.

Is this with the Tor Browser Bundle? or Firefox 3.5.1?

August 11, 2009

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I like Tor Browser Bundle. It's really what I need! I installed it very easily and I'm very satisfied with it. Besides, it's very nice that it deals with Firefox. It is my favourite browser. I installed additional plugins (found them at http://www.picktorrent.com ) and now Firefox is indispensable for me.

August 27, 2009

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i use ixquick while don't log, use ssl, respect privacy

scoogle while are google search engine but in ssl and many languages .

December 16, 2009

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I like Tor Browser Bundle. Thanks

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January 21, 2010

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Do you know that members of the Berkman center research, teach, and write books, articles, weblogs with RSS 2.0 feeds (for which the Center holds the specification), and podcasts (of which the first series took place at the Berkman Center). Its newsletter, "The Filter", is on the Web and available by e-mail, and it hosts a blog community of Harvard faculty, students, and Berkman Center affiliates.