PlebNet

A self-replicating botnet for privacy protection

Bachelor thesis (2018)

Authors

T.S. Jaspers Focks Civil Engineering & Geosciences
H.J.M. van Veltom Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
V. Wigmore Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
T.N. Nguyen Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Contributors

J.A. Pouwelse (supervisor 1)
M.A. de Vos (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Copyright: © 2018 Thijmen Jaspers Focks, Harvey van Veltom, Viktor Wigmore, Wing Nguyen
Tribler Exitnode PlebNet Self-replicating Botnet Trustchain
More Info
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Published Date

2018

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Abstract

As the amount of digital content being shared is increasing, the need for a privacy protecting and resilient method of file sharing grows. New copyright law proposals are suggesting that governments and corporations are attempting to claim control over the use of the internet. As these new laws may lead to restrictions in digital content sharing, as well as endangering the privacy of users, alternative methods of sharing files may be able to solve these issues. Peer-to-peer networks for file sharing, such as BitTorrent, are resilient networks due to their decentralised nature. Tribler combines the BitTorrent protocol with a Tor-like anonymity system to protect its users against governments and spooks. Due to its Tor-like onion routing protocol, exit nodes are important for a robust network. This project focuses on PlebNet, an autonomous self-replicating network of Tribler exit nodes. Using Cloudomate, PlebNet is able to purchase servers with Bitcoins acquired from selling Tribler’s bandwidth tokens and replicate itself to expand its network of exit nodes.