By Kelly Fiveash for The Register.
This story has been reproduced with permission.
The Torpark browser
can be stored on and run from a flash USB memory stick, which can
effectively turn a PC into an anonymous terminal.
Hacktivismo – an eclectic bunch of lawyers, artists,
hackers and human rights activists - has created the modified
portable web browser.
On its website the group claims to be
"committed to developing technologies in support of the highest
standards of human rights."
Explaining the motivation behind Torpack, Hacktivismo founder
Oxblood Ruffin said: "We live in a time where acquisition
technologies are cherry picking and collating every aspect of our
online lives – so it seems that it's a browser attempting to
redress that supposed imbalance."
No installation is required to run Torpark but the two folders
generated from its free download website have to stay together for
the browser to run.
Working in conjunction with The Onion Router (TOR) network, the
tool anonymises a user's connection through encryption and
constantly changing net addresses. This makes it incredibly
difficult for ISPs to track an individuals web-related activity and
location.
The Torpark website details instructions on what limitations to
expect if using the browser, as surfing the net anonymously has
several drawbacks including a slower browsing speed and individual
websites not storing a users login details.
Torpark is being released under the GNU General Public License
and is dedicated "to the Panchen Lama".
© The Register
2006
