Information Week reported on a list post by the Tor Network that some of its servers have been compromised.
The Secure Surfing Organization publicly recommends the use of Anonymizer, primarily for ease of use and the strength of service that comes with a paid subscription.
This example, which Tor acknowledges requires at minimum users upgrade to a new version of software and the creation of new identity keys for the attacked servers, illustrates one of the challenges with relying too much on volunteer systems for your protection.
There is no indication that anyone was or could have been compromised personally in this event. It is to Tor’s credit that when it discovers vulnerabilities, it quickly discloses them and moves to ensure the integrity of users connections.
But given the nature of the institutions hostile to anonymous surfing, including in particular the governments of China and Iran, there should be real concern about the sanctity of your privacy when someone is not earning a living to do it.
If Anonymizer screws up in any significant way, they lose their business, their job, their mortgage payment. It is their career to protect your connection.
That is is worth the modest fee involved.
