Tor Gets an Opensource Exam

In an example of the benefit of opensource products and the public scrutiny that strengthens them, a recent report published by the University of Colorado at Boulder takes a tough look at the popular anonymity toolset, Tor.  The report alleges lapses in the protocol, which would allow for possible compromise of many in the network of participants. 

Tor "aims to defend against traffic analysis, a form of network surveillance that threatens personal anonymity and privacy, confidential business activities and relationships, and state security."  It does this by "bounc(ing) (the users) around a distributed network of servers."

Berkman Fellow Ethan Zuckerman, co-founder of Global Voices, provided a strong defense of the system and explains why he continues to advocate for "anonymous blogging with Wordpress and Tor."