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"Asynchronous, non-real-time schemes that look like vanilla web traffic are the best." It's a shame that high-latency mix networks died out with Mixminion [1]

"Asynchronous, non-real-time schemes that look like vanilla web traffic are the best." It's a shame that high-latency mix networks died out with Mixminion [1] a few years ago. There's a lot of interesting research that never got implemented, that would, in my opinion, bring us a lot closer to truly anonymous email. If this is a topic you find interesting, take a look at the Pynchon Gate [2]. It's a private information retrieval system, proposed by Sassaman (Mixmaster), Cohen (Bittorrent), and Nick Mathewson (Tor), that had a lot of interesting ideas about how to facilitate the anonymous retrieval of email. It was never implemented, but it's a very approachable paper that serves as an excellent introduction to the incredible world of anonymity networks. [1] https://github.com/mixminion/mixminion/ https://github.com/mixminion/mixminion/ [2] http://freehaven.net/anonbib/cache/sassaman:wpes2005.pdf http://freehaven.net/anonbib/cache/sassaman:wpes2005.pdf (PDF Warning)

nickpsecurity 11y ago
Oh yeah, good ole Mixminion. Yeah, the mix networks were the most promising. Thanks for the paper. That sure is a near-dream team of writers. I'll read it later.
- ShaneWilton 11y ago
  No problem! I could talk for hours about mix networks. If you enjoy that paper, there's a few follow-up papers they wrote that examine some possible threat vectors and possible solutions. All in all, it's a very interesting system. If you're ever looking for more reading on the subject, I'd recommend all of the starred papers on Free Haven [1] [1] http://freehaven.net/anonbib/date.html http://freehaven.net/anonbib/date.html
  - nickpsecurity 11y ago
    Oh I love that site. Periodically skim it for interesting reads. Btw, is there a way to contact you or a place you usually frequent if I do get involved in a mix project? My limited resources and memory troubles make it unlikely. However, if I or someone I meet is into it then it would help to have someone that can bring people up to speed on the subject.
    - ShaneWilton 11y ago
      I'm not actually involved in any mix-related projects (Though I'd love to be if I ever find the time), but I'm always happy to talk about them. You can reach me at this username at gmail.com
      - nickpsecurity 11y ago
        Saved. :)

nickpsecurity 11y ago

Oh yeah, good ole Mixminion. Yeah, the mix networks were the most promising. Thanks for the paper. That sure is a near-dream team of writers. I'll read it later.

ShaneWilton 11y ago
No problem! I could talk for hours about mix networks. If you enjoy that paper, there's a few follow-up papers they wrote that examine some possible threat vectors and possible solutions. All in all, it's a very interesting system. If you're ever looking for more reading on the subject, I'd recommend all of the starred papers on Free Haven [1] [1] http://freehaven.net/anonbib/date.html http://freehaven.net/anonbib/date.html
- nickpsecurity 11y ago
  Oh I love that site. Periodically skim it for interesting reads. Btw, is there a way to contact you or a place you usually frequent if I do get involved in a mix project? My limited resources and memory troubles make it unlikely. However, if I or someone I meet is into it then it would help to have someone that can bring people up to speed on the subject.
  - ShaneWilton 11y ago
    I'm not actually involved in any mix-related projects (Though I'd love to be if I ever find the time), but I'm always happy to talk about them. You can reach me at this username at gmail.com
    - nickpsecurity 11y ago
      Saved. :)