• PirateBox offline file-sharing solution puts pirates out of authorities’ reach
    83 replies, posted
[IMG]http://www-bgr-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/piratebox.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE]The recent ordeal surrounding the now defeated SOPA and PIPA proposals followed by the shuttering of file-sharing giant Megaupload has put online piracy back in the spotlight. Despite studies showing Megaupload’s closure had no impact on online piracy whatsoever, copyright owners continue to pressure authorities in an effort to go after more services similar to Megaupload. The new wave of attention these file-sharing services are attracting is driving some illegal downloaders to seek out new means of sharing copyrighted materials, and decentralized torrent network Tribler emerged as one option. Another interesting solution created by a New York University professor takes things a step further, however, completely removing the Internet from the file-sharing equation and therefore putting pirates out of authorities’ reach. NYU professor David Darts created the PirateBox more than a year ago and now, thanks to the availability of new cheaper components, users can build a box for as little as $50 according to TorrentFreak. Once assembled, the PirateBox essentially acts as its own file-sharing network, broadcasting wirelessly and allowing any users within range to upload and download files. “Simply turn the PirateBox on to transform any space into a temporary communication and wireless file sharing network,” Darts wrote on his wiki page. “When users join the PirateBox wireless network and open a web browser, they are automatically redirected to the PirateBox welcome page. Users can then immediately begin chatting and/or uploading or downloading files.” Darts has published a free DIY guide that allows anyone to gather the equipment needed and build a PirateBox quickly and easily, and all of the software used by the device is free and open source. ”The PirateBox consists of a wireless router and light-weight Linux server connected to a USB hard drive,” Darts notes. “The system can run on AC or DC power which allows it to be fully mobile. You can take it to the park, operate it a cafe, in a subway, at work, etc.” The solution is designed with both privacy and security in mind. While PirateBox users must be in close quarters in order to access the device, it doesn’t require any logins nor does it log any user data. Users on the local network are kept completely anonymous and because there is no Internet connection, there is no way for authorities working with copyright owners to track the service.[/QUOTE] [video=youtube;XeIiFKnKPjE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeIiFKnKPjE&hd=1[/video] [url]http://www.bgr.com/2012/03/12/piratebox-offline-file-sharing-solution-puts-pirates-out-of-authorities-reach-video/[/url]
Besides the painfully obvious purpose, the idea itself is pretty fucking neat.
The beginning of internet 2
This is a good thing.
Only $50? Hmmm
If I'm reading this correctly, each piratebox acts as an extension for the network it's on? So say user 2 connects to user 1. User 3, who was out of range of user 1, is in range of user 2, so user 3 can connect to the same network that user 1 and 2 are on?
This project has been existing for a while, 3 years I think.
We are slowly moving towards the scene of random people wearing coats and hats (hoodies) low over their eyes, suspiciously sitting down on the same bench in park, fiddling with their handheld device, wordlessly, and then walking away again.
-snip wrong thread what am I doing-
What is the range of this thing, I wonder. If it's only like 30 meters, then it has pretty limited functionality. 100+ meters, though, and it suddenly becomes a lot more interesting. Anyone got any ideas as to range? I can't find mention of it anywhere on his wiki page for the thing.
[QUOTE=Gmod4ever;35108349]What is the range of this thing, I wonder. If it's only like 30 meters, then it has pretty limited functionality. 100+ meters, though, and it suddenly becomes a lot more interesting. Anyone got any ideas as to range? I can't find mention of it anywhere on his wiki page for the thing.[/QUOTE]Probably same as a generic wireless router. Can't really expect 100+ meters and decent speed for 50 bucks
I am not the brightest when it comes to these things. Why does a piece of hardware help me against getting caught pirating? Is it a bit like the Tor network?
That's cute how those companies think they can bury piracy so easily. The more dirt the shovel over it, the deeper underground it will be. But it will still be there.
A device of piracy made of metal I THINK YOU CAN SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os5TXyJlEMc[/media]
This is so late.
[QUOTE=sami-pso;35108366]I am not the brightest when it comes to these things. Why does a piece of hardware help me against getting caught pirating? Is it a bit like the Tor network?[/QUOTE] Well, simply put, this thing isn't connected to the Internet. It's effectively an offline or private wireless network. It just doesn't have any log-on requirements. The entire thing is localized. It has its own wireless broadcast on it, meaning it serves as its own hotspot. Combined with the fact it has a local hard-drive on it, meaning that you store things literally on the box itself, and it's virtually untraceable. It doesn't exist on the Internet, meaning you can't trace it from the Internet. Of course, on the same token, this means you have to be nearby in order to access it. But that's the point. With this, you can make coffee shops around the world into pirate coves - it only takes one PirateBox. Shove the thing in a backpack, and no one would be the wiser. [editline]12th March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Zenpod;35108396]A device of piracy made of metal I THINK YOU CAN SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os5TXyJlEMc[/media][/QUOTE] I can't believe it took you nearly half an hour to arrive on a pirate-related thread, Zen. You're getting soft.
Also it looks like a landmine.
[QUOTE=Gmod4ever;35108407] I can't believe it took you nearly half an hour to arrive on a pirate-related thread, Zen. You're getting soft.[/QUOTE] Hey, Plundering shit is important, I've got a busy day of looting
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't this mean all the (normally) clients would now be the servers as well? I'm not talking about seeding and leeching, but more like hosting the content themselves in the way that The Pirate Bay used to (before they switched to magnet links, I believe)? Wouldn't this give the lawyers incentive to attack users directly for hosting these boxes/routers? I don't know much about the legality of it all, but is it merely the fact that it's on a registered domain which is why legal authorities can pursue The Pirate Bay, or is just hosting a private LAN with that just as illegal? The article didn't seem to specific on the matter, but I don't see why they wouldn't pursue people for hosting a torrent directory any differently from the way they do now. For the record, I have not (and don't have any plans to) used torrenting programs (unless it was forced through a game launcher), so I'm an outsider to much of this. Specifically, I don't understand that much as to how everything works with torrenting and torrent sites merely because I never bothered getting into it.
[QUOTE=rodent-man;35108454]Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't this mean all the (normally) clients would now be the servers as well? I'm not talking about seeding and leeching, but more like hosting the content themselves in the way that The Pirate Bay used to (before they switched to magnet links, I believe)? Wouldn't this give the lawyers incentive to attack users directly for hosting these boxes/routers? I don't know much about the legality of it all, but is it merely the fact that it's on a registered domain which is why legal authorities can pursue The Pirate Bay, or is just hosting a private LAN with that just as illegal? The article didn't seem to specific on the matter, but I don't see why they wouldn't pursue people for hosting a torrent directory any differently from the way they do now. Once again, I am not, have not, and have no plans to ever pirate, so I'm an outsider to much of this. Specifically, I don't understand that much as to how everything works with torrenting and torrent sites merely because I never bothered getting into it.[/QUOTE] The system itself is focused around anonymity, doesn't use the internet (it's merely a wireless device) and it doesn't log user data, so they'd essentially have to find the box to get you for it as far as I'm aware, as there's no real way to trace it. I'm probably a CIPWTTKT though.
[QUOTE=Terminutter;35108507]The system itself is focused around anonymity, doesn't use the internet (it's merely a wireless device) and it doesn't log user data, so they'd essentially have to find the box to get you for it as far as I'm aware, as there's no real way to trace it. I'm probably a CIPWTTKT though.[/QUOTE] You're correct. The only way you can get nailed with this thing is if they find the physical box, and can undeniably trace it to you (IE you wrote your name on it or something). The beauty of the thing, though, is simply how small it is. The cheapest build, which uses a wireless router that has a USB port ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704127&Tpk=tp-link%20mr3020]The TP-LINK TL-MR3020[/url], $40 USD) is absolutely tiny, and consists of the router itself and a flash drive serving as a hard-drive. That's it. This build can easily be shoved in a backpack, or even a large pocket, and still work fine for a good range. You'd have to be practically wearing a sign saying "I'm hosting the PirateBox" to get caught with it.
[QUOTE=sami-pso;35108366]I am not the brightest when it comes to these things. Why does a piece of hardware help me against getting caught pirating? Is it a bit like the Tor network?[/QUOTE] No, it's like a portable and easily hideable wireless router with an integrated file server without internet access. That's what it is. And since it's not connected to the outside network, it can't be tracked unless the FBI is standing within connection range and has some sort of fancy wireless network locator.
These have existed for years as Dead Drops. It's just they have never really been that noticed by most people as there are some security risks to them in terms of malware if you allow clients to upload to it, and they can be found and used as evidence. The chances of it are low mind. But pirates have had so much simplicity with Internet piracy that I don't think most of them would have considered something like this. These aren't new, but a surge in their usage would be interesting.
There is just so much money spent by those guys on providing "safe" ways to pirate stuff that it almost reached a point where it would be less expensive to actually buy stuff rather than pirate them.
I can't even imagine how this could be combated. I'm impressed.
Welp, Tally Ho on the boogies mates.
[QUOTE=Ganerumo;35108717]There is just so much money spent by those guys on providing "safe" ways to pirate stuff that it almost reached a point where it would be less expensive to actually buy stuff rather than pirate them.[/QUOTE] Wrong. These systems are made user friendly so that anyone can take advantage of them.
i want one
[QUOTE=hexpunK;35108608]These have existed for years as Dead Drops. It's just they have never really been that noticed by most people as there are some security risks to them in terms of malware if you allow clients to upload to it, and they can be found and used as evidence. The chances of it are low mind. But pirates have had so much simplicity with Internet piracy that I don't think most of them would have considered something like this. These aren't new, but a surge in their usage would be interesting.[/QUOTE] Yeah, the only real issue is malware. But I wouldn't think it would be too difficult to install a simple antivirus onto the thing, scanning uploads as they come in and dealing with them. Don't quote me on that - that's outside my comfort zone. I don't know much at all about network security. [editline]12th March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Quark:;35108761]i want one[/QUOTE] Then build one. It costs maybe $50 - $40 for the router, $10 for the USB.
[QUOTE=Ganerumo;35108717]There is just so much money spent by those guys on providing "safe" ways to pirate stuff that it almost reached a point where it would be less expensive to actually buy stuff rather than pirate them.[/QUOTE] This seems like a useful way to share stuff with friends to me. Way easier then having to upload something to filesmelt or drop box and then link it on facebook.
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