[Cryptography] Anonymous messaging [was: Email is securable within a coterie]

[Ben Laurie]

On 7 December 2013 11:02, Ron Leach <ronleach at tesco.net> wrote:
> On 07/12/2013 05:24, StealthMonger wrote:
>>
>> "Bob Simmons"<bsimmons at compassnet.com>  writes:
>>>
>>> Of course, if I were to use this for real, I would have to be sure
>>> dizum.com isn't a honeypot.
>>
>>
>> Hence the virtue of using CHAINS of remailers, so that if even just one
>> of them is good, your anonymity is secure.  (And the step after that is
>> to operate a remailer yourself so you KNOW one of them is good.)
>>
>
> Are we sure?  I read Bob's post as being wary in case the *first* remailer,
> dizum.com in his case, which receives his connection and therefore has some
> idea who he is, were to be a honeypot.  Yes, the CHAIN might ensure his
> anonymity at point of posting to the newsgroup, but disclosure will have
> occurred at point of first entry to the chain (and, potentially,
> subsequently for any honeypots following in the chain until the first
> genuine remailer).
>
> It's the same problem with TOR, isn't it?  The first TOR server knows who is
> accessing the network.
>
> Anonymity of *access* is becoming desirable, I think.  But is it attainable?

You mean anonymity of using TOR is becoming desirable, surely? Because
everyone is accessing the network.