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Sorry if my posting worried some of you, that was not the intention.
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Simple fact: be aware that hiding your IP now doesnt change a thing, if you have been using this system for a while (as I have) records are already recorded...
DON'T PANIC - just put things in perspective
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As a followup, here's what I have found from my investigations (along with a very experienced Internet Security Company) over the last few months.
it's not very easy at all to mask IP addresses on P2P networks, any time you have a connection to another user, it can be traced, even if you hide/mask your IP.
Shell accounts are NOT reliable (anywhere you use a 3rd party, especially if you have to 'sign up' for something, theres a paper trail..)
Proxies, even chained (proxy 1 -> proxy 2 etc. -> location) only really mask you for HTTP(+s) web browser services (e.g. ports 80,1080,8080,8888,3128), unless you can find ones set up specifically for other ports and protocols, which are VERY rare (plus they could very easily be 'authority plants' anyway).
Sorry to get all conspiracy theory on ya!
Once you get into other comms areas, like Telnet, IRC, P2P etc, you need a whole new set of 'hacking' abilities, like IP header spoofing and masking (to name but 2).
Even these can be worked around if a person (or agency) has the necessary tools and determination.
As for people being threatened by copyright agencies re: movies etc. That's all part of the territory, plainly put, everyone using the p2p systems are breaking some kind of law (mostly copyright).
With their resources, the RIAA etc. may go after a few individuals to make a point, but I can't believe they would waste theirs (and courts) time tracing and threatening to shut down 1,000,000 'normal' users, they'd be better and more effective to go after the 'suppliers' themselves.
On a continuing note (file under 'let's be careful out there'):-
We have already easily traced over 150 users with totally illegal material (Ch Prn) on their computers since 1/1/03, and we only have average resources, nothing like the government. Plus we have been able to expose (+ identify, port scan, traceroute, whois), at least 5 'hidden' users, one of whom was going through 4 proxy relays.
I can't believe the FBI has less abilities than us, so I don't for a second believe they don't know about this...!
Lets face it, 'common people', the authorities don't particularly care about movies / MP3's etc., they have much bigger fish to fry, especially in the current world situation.
(Note how the FBI / CIA etc. didnt get involved in Napster lawsuits, they just left it to the record companies)
My advice - if you want to swim, swim with the smaller fish, and keep your head down if you can. P2P is still the coolest communications system on the planet in my opinion.
Even knowing what I do, I still use Kazaalite to get my movie 'fix'..........
I do believe it's best to be aware, and not blatantly (or casually) flaunt the serious law, thinking you're untouchable.
Have fun, then duck!
Mike
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. March 2003 @ 04:52
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