Editing Secure communication (section)

=== Anonymous Internet ===
{{Main|Anonymity}}
Using a [[wikt:third-party|third party]] system of any kind (payphone, Internet cafe) is often secure, however if that system is used to access known locations (a known email account or 3rd party) then it may be tapped at the far end, or noted, and this will remove any security benefit obtained. Some countries also impose mandatory registration of Internet cafe users.

[[anonymous proxy|Anonymous proxies]] are another common type of protection, which allow one to access the net via a third party (often in a different country) and make tracing difficult. Note that there is seldom any guarantee that the [[plaintext]] is not tappable, nor that the proxy does not keep its own records of users or entire dialogs. As a result, anonymous proxies are a generally useful tool but may not be as secure as other systems whose security can be better assured. Their most common use is to prevent a record of the originating [[IP address|IP]], or address, being left on the target site's own records. Typical anonymous proxies are found at both regular websites such as Anonymizer.com and spynot.com, and on proxy sites which maintain up to date lists of large numbers of temporary proxies in operation.

A recent development on this theme arises when wireless Internet connections ("[[Wi-Fi]]") are left in their unsecured state. The effect of this is that any person in range of the base unit can [[piggybacking (Internet access)|piggyback]] the connection – that is, use it without the owner being aware. Since many connections are left open in this manner, situations where piggybacking might arise (willful or unaware) have successfully led to a defense in some cases, since it makes it difficult to prove the owner of the connection was the downloader, or had knowledge of the use to which unknown others might be putting their connection. An example of this was the Tammie Marson case, where neighbours and anyone else might have been the culprit in the sharing of copyright files.<ref>[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/25/open_wi-fi_child_porn_case/ Open Wi-Fi proves no defence in child porn case], The Register</ref> Conversely, in other cases, people deliberately seek out businesses and households with unsecured connections, for illicit and anonymous Internet usage, or simply to obtain free [[Bandwidth (computing)|bandwidth]].<ref>[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/11/piggybacking_arrest_made/ 'Extortionist' turns Wi-Fi thief to cover tracks], The Register</ref>