What you need to know about Tor and the hackers targeting it

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Image: Elizabeth Pierson, Mashable

By Rex Santus2014-12-27 01:56:41 UTC

There are a lot of tools online that claim to offer you total privacy. But when dealing with something like Internet anonymity, it's hard to be sure.

One that's widely agreed to be among the best available is Tor. If used correctly, the Tor browser and network cloaks online activity in anonymity; your online traffic isn't traceable back to you. It's less about keeping credit card numbers secure and more about allowing you to browse the web and communicate with others without revealing who and where you are.

But Tor was attacked on Friday. The hacker group known as Lizard Squad or at least a Twitter account claiming to be involved with the collective said that it was going after Tor. According to Tor, which has confirmed the attack, but not the perpetrator, there should be no effects on anonymity or performance. But some experts have speculated that the hackers could track the network's users.

This comes one day after the hackers took credit for shutting down the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. The group has claimed responsibility for numerous hacking attacks. It's not entirely clear if Lizard Squad is actually behind all of these hacks, or if the Tor attack is actually being carried out by the group.

Tor's developers openly admit it isn't bulletproof. But nothing is. A report from Wired earlier this month, for example, said the FBI used a hacking app called Metasploit to successfully identify users hiding behind Tor in 2012, and "theres evidence the FBIs anti-Tor capabilities have been rapidly advancing."

Just last week, Tor heard word of a possible attack to disable the network by seizing "specialized servers," according to a post on Tor's website. Whether the new attack is connected to these concerns is unclear.

"Any tool that says they are 100% secure all the time, they are not being accurate," Tor's development director Karen Reilly told Mashable in an interview earlier this month.

Now for a look at Tor: What it is, how it works and what the cyberattack could mean for its users.

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What you need to know about Tor and the hackers targeting it

[Bitcoin] This is a values innovation, not a technological one – Video

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[Bitcoin] This is a values innovation, not a technological one
Chris Ellis Networks With IamSatoshi. http://www.iamsatoshi.com/the-blockchain-is-telling-a-story-about-justice-trust-doesnt-scale https://twitter.com/Iam_Satoshi https://www.facebook.com/I.am.Sato...

By: Satoshi Pollen

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[Bitcoin] This is a values innovation, not a technological one - Video

Bitcoin Bowl and the Disruption of Fiat Currency | Robert …

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On the day after Christmas the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the University of Central Florida Knights will square off in the Bitcoin Bowl at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In several short years few will recall the game itself, especially not those on the Trop's Party Deck. But, historians will note that 2014 was the year that a major American college football bowl game was named for a post-national cryptocurrency associated with techno-libertarians and anonymous transactions.

As much as it sounds like the premise of a near future, science fiction novel, it is happening.

And, why not?

The Bitcoin Bowl is a perfect end to 2014, the year that "the future" happened. After all, 2014 was the year in which American retailers started selling 3D printers, the U.S. Navy began mounting lasers on its ships, humans landed robots on Mars and an asteroid, analysts began asking whether home based solar power could kill off American utilities, and state-sponsored hackers raided Hollywood.

It's only appropriate that we'd end the year with the Bitcoin Bowl. And it's quintessentially American to celebrate a new and disruptive technology with a televised sporting event from a massive, air conditioned arena in the subtropics.

While the student sections from NC State and UCF will party at the Trop, cheer for their team and hit the clubs in St. Pete, the real story will be how TV (in this case ESPN) educates Americans on bitcoin. In many ways this is Bitcoin's first TV extravaganza. And the available public opinion data (18 polls and counting from 2013-2014) suggests that most American viewers will be hearing about bitcoin for the 1st time. In May 2013 only 23 percent of Americans had heard of Bitcoin, much lower than in the UK (32 percent) and Argentina (38 percent). By March of this year, according to a Reason-Rupe online survey, only 19 percent of Americans had heard "a lot" or "some" about Bitcoin. But by May this number had increased to 37 percent in another online survey. And in May a survey sponsored by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors found 51 percent of Americans having at least some level of awareness of Bitcoin. All of this means that the Bitcoin Bowl itself will function as a basic awareness raising event.

Given the ample number of surveys on the subject, American public opinion on alternative digital currencies is fairly clear. Most Americans still haven't heard much of anything about Bitcoin. As with most new technologies, there is some skepticism and fear of the unknown. Those most aware of Bitcoin are most supportive of it and generally believe that it should be legal. But, those with little information on Bitcoin generally believe that it should be illegal. Many of these older, Middle-Americans may not be ready for horse and buggy fiat currency to be displaced by the sleek and somewhat mysterious Mercedes of 21st century crypto currency. But, despite current skepticism, survey research among American experts in IT (conducted by HP and the Ponemon Institute) "expect digital currencies to overtake paper currencies in the future." Bitcoin, or alternative digital currencies that come after it, may be the wave of the future. They are at least one alternative future.

And Bitcoin has a clear set of younger, future forward supporters. The Reason-Rupe research finds that "Millennials, Gamers, Independents and Libertarians say Bitcoin should be allowed."

But, it's fair to say that given its anonymous nature and use outside nation-state sanction, Bitcoin is viewed with some suspicion by many aware of it. In a November 2014 survey in the UK 28% felt that Bitcoin had a bad reputation compared with 13% saying that it had a good reputation. This is no doubt tied to a perception that those transacting in Bitcoin may be doing so in the shadow economy or for subterranean reasons. Of course, this may all be true, but as almost anyone in America might point out, criminals have been transacting in cash for a very, very long time.

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Bitcoin Bowl and the Disruption of Fiat Currency | Robert ...

Meet Mr. Bitcoin and Curly the dog, mascots of the Bitcoin Bowl or whatever

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Bitcoin,an invisible money that you can read articles about how to understand, is the new sponsor of St. Petersburg's college football bowl game, which is Friday night between NC State and UCF.

Since Bitcoin is a college football thing, Bitcoin needs a mascot. Fortunately, it already has one. Or BitPay,the company that paid for the Bitcoin Bowl in Bitcoin, does. I don't know. It's a mascot dressed up as a cookie with a pimp hat, and it has a small face in its midsection, like Krang. We'll figure out who's responsible for it later.

Mr. Bitcoin is apparently not a new thing.

There is also this Bitcoin mascot, a dog named Curly:

There is also this Bitcoin mascot, a dog named Curly:

There is alsothis Bitcoin mascot, a dog named Curly:

And, last but not least, this lil guy, who'll give you Bitcoin business in exchange for Bitcoin business:

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBAAALL?

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Meet Mr. Bitcoin and Curly the dog, mascots of the Bitcoin Bowl or whatever

IRS says bitcoin will be taxed

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Virtual currencies like bitcoin will be taxed like property - not currency, the Internal Revenue Service says.

The IRS says bitcoin is not legal tender. You can't use it to pay your taxes.

However, if you receive wages in bitcoin, you have to pay taxes on it just like you would if you got paid in dollars. Or if you got paid in chickens.

The IRS issued a series of 16 questions and answers on Tuesday to clarify the tax treatment of virtual currencies like bitcoin. In general, the IRS says, it will apply the same rules that govern other barter transactions.

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If you receive wages in bitcoin, they would be taxed at their fair market value at the time you were paid, the IRS said. If you use bitcoins to pay for goods or services, the vendor must report the income, using the fair market value of the bitcoins at the time of the transaction.

For investors, bitcoins will be treated like other commodities, the IRS said. If they increase in value, you have to pay capital gains taxes after you sell them. If they lose value, you can recognise a capital loss.

Created in 2009, bitcoin is an online currency that allows people to make one-to-one transactions, buy goods and services and exchange money across borders without involving banks or other third parties. Bitcoins have become popular with libertarians, tech enthusiasts and speculators.

Regulators worry about criminals using them to avoid detection.

In February, one of the largest bitcoin exchanges, based in Tokyo, filed for bankruptcy, adding to mistrust of the currency. Supporters say problems at the exchange were isolated.

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IRS says bitcoin will be taxed

Smokin: Bitcoin comes to Burning Man

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Bitcoin is headed directly to the Black Rock Desert, Nevada by way of the annual Burning Man festival.

The Burning Man Project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit organization behind the festival started accepting Bitcoin for donations earlier this week.

Donations will help provide more grants, training and support to creators of radically interactive art and events on and off the playa, fund civic programs, teach communities the power of collaboration, strengthen our infrastructure and making the Burning Man experience accessible year-round CEO Marion Goodell explains.

Noting that this is just the beginning for Bitcoin and Burning Man, she continued: accepting Bitcoin for donations is an experimental first step. We plan to explore other possibilities in the future, including expanding Bitcoin to the ticket-buying process.

Bitcoin payment services are being provided by Coinbase Inc. and donations areeligible for tax deductions in the United States.

First held in 1986, Burning Manhas a reputation as being a week of drug taking and alt-culture, where as others claim it is a progressive coming together of the tech-savy. In 2014 65,922 people attended the event which is held be the last Monday in August and first Monday in September ever year.

Adding Bitcoin support is a no-brainer given the demographics of those who attend the event would suggest thatmany would already be familiar with, or users of the cryptocurrency.

photo credit: jacques.deselliers via photopin cc

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Smokin: Bitcoin comes to Burning Man

Bitcoin, Burning Man And The Gifting Economy

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Bitcoin was a terrible investment this year, but that hasnt stopped non-profits from asking for them anyway. Wikipedia, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Khan Academy and now even Burning Man will take those bitcoins off your hands in the form of a tax-deductible donation.

While this wont get you a golden ticket into the actual festival, gifting something without expecting anything in returnis part of the spirit and culture of the annual festival in the Nevada desert.In fact, its listed first in the 10 Principles of Burning Man:

Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.

Though a lot of money goes into prep and supplies for the festival, no actual money is exchanged while in Black Rock City except for the buying of ice or coffee at the main tent. Folks give away everything from vegan ice cream to special massages while there. Even clothing can be donated away. The new bitcoin option has more to do with funding year round activities outside the festival, however.

For some context, theres Burning Man the 501(c)3 and theres Black Rock City LLC. Ticket sales cover the actual cost of producing the festival. Thats the for-profit part. The cryptocurrency donations will help the non-profit arm of Burning Man to build out organizational capacity, support community initiatives and most likely help fund those giant art projects that get shipped out to the middle of the Playa every year.

CEO Marian Goodell mentioned in a company issued statement that there was a possibility of buying tickets with the cryptocurrency at some point, Accepting bitcoin for donations is an experimental first step. We plan to explore other possibilities in the future, including expanding bitcoin to the ticket-buying process, she said.

Coinbase, a digital payment system for bitcoin, has partnered up with Burning Man to make the donation process easier. It also provides a way togive without incurring transaction fees. The startup doesnt assess fees to non-profits. Other online sites such as Reddit and Wikimedia (the non-profit portion of Wikipedia) use Coinbase for the same thing.

Burners in Russia may want to hold onto that bitcoin, but donating the virtual currency could be a good option for those in theUnited States. That is, if your coin value actually went up this year. It hovered around the $1000 mark at the beginning of 2014, but has since fallen to $318 as of today.

As mentioned above, bitcoin donations are now tax-deductible. The feds finally issued a statement this last spring that allows bitcoin to be considered a property of sorts. Thiswill allow you to give away something that would otherwise be subject to capital gains taxes.

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Bitcoin, Burning Man And The Gifting Economy

Joe Cannata Reassigned to Ontario Reign

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December 26, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets Utica Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher announced today that the Vancouver Canucks have reassigned goaltender Joe Cannata from the Utica Comets to the ECHL Ontario Reign.

Cannata, 24, appeared in one game with the Comets and stopped 22 of 24 in a 2-1 loss to Albany on Nov. 29. He returns to Ontario where he currently leads all ECHL goaltenders in goals-against average (1.77) and save percentage (0.934). He has allowed just 16 goals in nine games with Ontario and has posted a 5-3-0-1 record with a shutout. He was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Week on Oct. 21, following the first weekend of the season.

The Wakefield, Mass. native appeared in 28 games with the Comets last season and went 11-12-1-3 with a 2.83 goals-against average and a 0.907 save percentage. He finished the season strong by winning seven of his last nine starts with just a 2.08 goals-against average.

A sixth-round selection (173rd overall) of the Canucks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Cannata played four years at Merrimack College from 2008-12, where he appeared in 122 career games posting an overall record of 59-46-16 with seven shutouts, a 2.47 goals-against average and a save percentage of .915.

For a complete schedule of Utica Comets games, as well as ticketing information, visit http://www.uticacomets.com.

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Joe Cannata Reassigned to Ontario Reign