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Java Anon Proxy

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Java Anon Proxy
Stable release
00.10.003
Preview release
00.10.004
Written inJava
Operating systemCross-platform
Typeproxy server
Websitehttp://anon.inf.tu-dresden.de/index_en.html

Java Anon Proxy, also known as Java Anonymous Proxy, JAP Anon Proxy, JAP or JonDo, is a proxy system designed to allow browsing the Web with revocable pseudonymity.[1] It is based in Germany and was originally developed as part of an ongoing project of the Technische Universität Dresden, the Universität Regensburg and Privacy Commissioner of Schleswig-Holstein. Written in the Java programming language.

Cross-platform, free, it sends requests through a cascade and mixes the data streams of multiple users in order to further obfuscate the data to outsiders.

JAP is available for all platforms that support Java.

Design

The JAP client program allows the user to choose among several Mix Cascades (i.e. a group of anonymization proxies) offered by independent organisations. Users may choose by themselves whom of these operators they will trust, and whom they won't. This is different from peer-to-peer based anonymity networks like Tor (anonymity network) and I2P, whose anonymisation proxies are anonymous themselves, which means the users have to rely on unknown proxy operators.

The speed and availability of the service depends on the operators of the Mixes in the cascades, and therefore varies. More users on a cascade improve anonymity, but a large number of users might diminish the speed and bandwidth available for a single user.

Cost

Use of JAP is currently free. However, financial backing for the research project has run out, so it will switch to a for-pay model in order to cover the costs of running the servers and for developing the software. The payment system is currently being tested. However, it has been announced that a basic level of service will always be free to use, in order to provide anonymity and privacy to people who cannot afford to pay. The AN.ON developers also work on an improved blocking resistance function that makes it easier for users from restrictive countries to get a connection to the system.

Privacy

The online activities of the user can be revealed if all Mixes of a cascade work together by keeping log files and correlating their logs.[2] However, all Mix operators have to sign a voluntary commitment not to keep such logs, and for any observer it is difficult to infiltrate all operators in a long cascade.

In 2003, the German BKA[3][4] obtained a warrant to force the Dresden Mix operators to log access to a specific web address and to introduce a crime detection function in the server software making this possible. Coincidentally (at the same time, but for other reasons), a mandatory update for the JAP client software was released. This led to reports in Internet media about a backdoor[5] directly built into the client, although JAP itself never had any kind of backdoor. The additional feature that was added to the Mix server code enables operators to revoke anonymity if they all work together and recompile their software. This is completely covered by the AN.ON threat model and not a security leak by itself. Currently, further research is being done by AN.ON to make this functionality more privacy-friendly.[6]

As a reaction to the threat from local authorities, the system has spread internationally. If the Mixes of a cascade are spread over several countries, the law enforcement agencies of all these countries would have to work together to reveal someone's identity.

Since May 2005, JAP can also be used as a client for the Tor and since 2006 also for the Mixminion network. These features are still in an early stage and only available in the beta version of the software.

Name change and commercial service

On June 22nd 2007, the JAP client has been renamed to JonDo and the service itself from AN.ON to JonDonym.[7] Cost free Cascades are still in operation although they don't offer very low latency, multiple Mixes per Cascade or guaranteed bandwidth as the commercial ones.

See also

References

  1. ^ Privacy-friendly law enforcement 2006
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ netsys huh
  4. ^ AN.ON still guarantees anonymity 19. August 2003
  5. ^ Net anonymity service back-doored 2003-08-21
  6. ^ Privacy-friendly law enforcement 2006
  7. ^ JonDonym press release 2007
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