[ALAC] On TOR and Alternate DNS

[Eduardo Diaz]

Interesting indeed. I wouldn't mind learning more about this and its
possible side effects (good or bad).

-ed


On Thu, Jan 9, 2014 at 3:30 PM, Garth Bruen <gbruen at knujon.com> wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I have been looking to introduce some discussion subjects which are
> becoming
> more critical in our space but have been considered off-limits or even
> taboo
> by some in the ICANN world. While in BA Glenn and I met with Patrik
> Falstrom
> from SSAC to talk about TOR and other topics.
>
> For those who do not know The Onion Routing (TOR) is a system that provides
> additional privacy or obscurity to Internet communications by extending and
> blurring the network path. The regular DNS, of course, works by using the
> shortest, best-known traffic paths for quick communication and keeps
> extensive logs in various places for troubleshooting. While this method
> makes sense for effective data movement it also exposes Internet users to
> spying, stalking, interception, etc. TOR works in the opposite way by
> dropping information using very long network routes to make source
> identification nearly impossible.
>
> This presents challenges as well as opportunities. Most of the media
> attention about TOR has been on the illicit side, how criminals have used
> it
> to conduct illegal commerce in secret. However, there are a large number of
> people who depend on TOR to protect their identity for completely
> legitimate
> reasons. This week I met with Kelley Misata from the TOR Project in Boston
> who has championed the use of this technology for various victims and
> people
> under threat. I think it is important for us as policy-makers to have open
> discussions about this technology.
>
> As far as it relates to ICANN, TOR represents an alternate method of
> Internet communications. While there is no domain system, TOR issues what
> it
> calls "domains" in the form of unique strings which bind to IP addresses
> and
> serve content through those unique strings. These "domains" can only be
> reached with TOR. There is no governing body, registry system, or costs for
> these "domains." Yes, it is confusing as to how TOR can look like a DNS but
> not be a DNS, others can explain it much better than me.
>
> Additionally, there are other DNS roots out there which ICANN has no
> authority over. These roots have been created for a variety of purposes and
> I have complied a list of over 600 "unsanctioned" TLDs which can be
> accessed
> with different configurations.
>
> I have proposed that at the Singapore meeting we have a session where these
> topics can be presented and discussed for our benefit and awareness. I will
> add this as a discussion item on the next NARALO call and propose it be
> discussed on the next ALAC call.
>
> Thanks, Garth
>
> -------------------------------------
>
> Garth Bruen
> gbruen at knujon.com
>
> “If history is deprived of the Truth, we are left with nothing but an idle,
> unprofitable tale” -Polybius
>
>
>
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>



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