TorrentFreedom Offers 100% Anonymous and Unrestricted BitTorrent
With a militant style more associated with the crew of The Pirate Bay, TorrentFreedom promises to put the user back in control, by offering a new BitTorrent-optimized, zero-logging, 100% anonymous VPN service, guaranteed to punch a hole through throttling ISPs. Be quick for a free account!
Born out of the VPNTunnel Project, the TorrentFreedom ‘manifesto’ is an interesting document, particularly if you’ve ever worried about being tracked, traffic shaped, blocked or censored on the Internet. With a suitably clandestine feel, the manifesto states:
“Today, there is a nexus of Schumpeterian creative destruction to be found at the asymptotic fringe of intellectual property law and networking technology. Everyone says there is an ‘arms race’ between the unwashed filesharing masses and the forces of Big Brother - we like to think of ourselves as the suitcase nuke for the little guys.”
TorrentFreak got in touch with ‘Faust’ of TorrentFreedom to find out what on earth they’re talking about.
TF: Tell us about this ‘creative destruction’ and what inspired you to create TorrentFreedom.
Faust: It’s all but trite to point out nowadays that we’ve undergone a revolution in how human knowledge is created, stored, and shared. And, much as Schumpeter himself had predicted, the creativity unleashed has more than made up for the detritus of old forms of information transmission that now scatter the landscape like broken, forgotten toys. This is as it should be. The backlash from the praxis of stasis threatens to drown the organic reinvigoration that innovation technology has always brought forth - there would be no 95 theses without Gutenburg, remember.
So our inspiration comes from a deeper, historical appreciation for the transformative role of new technologies in human social organization. Nobody knows where creativity, academia, and knowledge creation will evolve as our tools allow for more and deeper interconnection between physically disparate peoples - but we do know that hampering that process isn’t part of making a better world for all beings. We’d like to see people keep sharing, keep learning, keep exploring. . . and they can’t do that if there’s roadblocks and threats of censorship every step of the way. Make it easy and make it work, that’s our approach - then the creative destruction can continue apace.
TF: There are number of evils you appear to tackle head on with this service, such as traffic shaping, packet raping, blocking, censorship etc. I expect lots of Comcast customers will be interested as you specifically mention the ‘Sandvining’ technique they employ. How does your system work and how will it benefit each type of problem?
Faust: Metaphorically, the system is quite simple: think of the difference between sending postcards in the postal mail, versus sending sealed envelopes. A postcard can easily be read by anyone along the way, and if they don’t like what it says (or who it is addressed to), they could just throw it out - oops! A sealed letter isn’t vulnerable like that - the contents aren’t readable whilst in transit. Even more than that, our system protects the address (sender and receiver) on the envelope as well - so nobody can block the message just because they don’t like where it’s headed (or where it’s come from).
At a deeper level, our server farm is based in the Netherlands. Everything passes in and out of these machines, and all IP addresses are associated with them. The activities of our customers - once their sessions decrypt and leave our server farm - are fully and unambiguously decoupled from their RL info (including local/physical IP address). Big Brother isn’t going to show up at their doorstep with a fishing-expedition summons or subpoena. We took it a step further, however - we’ve broken the link between RL info and public IP for our customers inside our systems as well - once an account is set up, it is methodologically impossible for anyone to back-connect a given external TF IP address to a customers’ specific account, ever.
TF: You’re called TorrentFreedom so it’s fairly clear which crowd you’re aiming your product act. What sort of dedicated optimizations can BitTorrent users look forward to when using your service?
Faust: We’ve tested the service extensively with just about every BT client out there. They all work seamlessly. We also don’t penalize our customers for running lots of network traffic over TorrentFreedom - there are no monthly caps, and no drama if someone uses a lot of gigs with us. That’s cool - it’s why we built the system!
OpenVPN, in its rawest form, will work with BT traffic - but getting it to do so consistently and smoothly is nontrivial. We’ve done all that work, so our customers don’t need to become experts in subnet addressing, MTU window sizing, and the 100 other little tweaks one needs to do to really make BT over a VPN sing. We also hand out real, public IP addresses - so no port forwarding garbage, just fast connectivity.
TF: Please give us a brief rundown on how your system works.
Faust: On a technical level, it’s an implementation of the TLS-based OpenVPN project’s codebase (which itself implements various OpenSSL crypto algorithms). Starting from there, we’ve created a Java-based client that handles all the encryption and coordinates OpenVPN’s handshake tasks, to ensure that every packet coming and going from our customers’ PCs is tightly encrypted (including DNS queries, unlike pptp). The really cool stuff comes in the firewall-busting tricks that our client has up its sleeve - there’s very few local network configurations that we can’t tunnel through. . . with no customer tweaking of the software needed. We’ve also implemented a rather clever port 443 wrapper so that, unlike many VPN instantiations, the TorrentFreedom service can’t be blocked unless the entire HTTPS capacity is also shut down - unlikely.
We’ve built most everything with open code, and we’re pushing further in that direction (with perhaps full distribution of the source for our client extensions in the works). “Just trust us” crypto isn’t worth anything - if it’s not open, it’s not reliable. We run 2048 keylength RSA algorithms so, to the local ISP or anyone else “listening in” to our customers’ packets, the data all looks like a stream of secure web traffic, back and forth. This is true for ALL IP traffic coming off a machine, all protocols and all applications. So there’s no need to tweak individual applications to get them to “work” with TorrentFreedom - just set up the client, connect, and everything is encrypted all the time.
TF: There are other well known VPN services that say they are strong on anonymity and hide your IP address, yet all of them will give up your personal details at some point. How is TorrentFreedom going to live up to the claim in the manifesto that BitTorrent users using your service will be “just about as traceable as dusty footprints in a windswept street. You can’t subpoena what doesn’t exist” ?
Faust: Ok this is where the rubber really meets the road. An “anonymizing” service that keeps detailed records of their customers’ activities is just a problem waiting to happen. There’s no point in hiding an IP address only to keep records that connect that IP address to the one that’s used to cover for it! And, reality is that there is no place in the world that isn’t subject to some form of legal jurisdiction - just saying “we won’t turn over records” is silly. When the authorities show up - with court orders or guns - and people start talking about jail time and contempt, those records are going to get coughed up, period. Despite our respect for the company overall, Hushmail’s admission that it provides “secure” email information to certain government authorities demonstrates all too well that even a good team will fold if the pressure gets too high - and if they have information to provide in the first place!
We built the system from day one so that there’s no correlation between an IP+timestamp and a username - this means we can’t hand over logs of “who was on what IP at what time”, and therefore the user can’t be tracked back from their online activity. Our payment system is fully abstracted from the operational environment - billing events are passed to the VPN engine via temporary “tokens” that are one-way-factors - there’s no link between the VPN account and the details of the billing transaction, ever.
We keep a little bit of data on file to make sure we can monitor the performance of the system overall, but we don’t have “server logs” like everyone else does. They don’t exist. So, we can be forced to turn over those logs - but they don’t link back to anything. Not to mention all of our operational VMs run in fully-encrypted partitions, etc. Someone seizing any of our servers has nothing but an expensive doorjam for their troubles. Even someone with full access to every machine we have cannot link people to their past network traffic through TorrentFreedom. It’s structural anonymity, at the most fundamental level.
Now, there’s lots of other VPN services out there and some of them are sorta ok. Most, let’s be honest, are based on pptp - it’s really insecure with several known weaknesses. Plus, it’s closed-source/proprietary, so who knows if it has backdoors or not? The reason people use it is because it’s easy to set up - Windows machines come with it pre-installed. Well, we did the hard work of getting a real VPN implementation (OpenVPN) to work just as easily as pptp - but without the security problems.
Some of the stuff we did is a little complex, behind the scenes, but the end result is a service that’s really easy to set up and use. We’ve got clients for Windows, Macs, and Linux. We don’t limit bandwidth, and we’ve got some very fast servers backing it all up. It’s all done right.
TF: Any final thoughts?
Faust: Using TorrentFreedom for online security is like bringing a machine-gun to a knife fight. . . it might not be ‘fair,’ but the outcome isn’t going to be in question either.
TF: lol ;)
Update: the free invites are gone.
Alternatives: (not free)
Previously: Free The Pirate Bay, Wear Yellow for Sharing
Next: The Pirate Bay and Filesharers Backed by Swedish Politicians
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You know, I was reading all the bestiality stuff with a grain of salt …
… until I clicked on the “goldens.com” site.
Because nothing says “We Are Secure and trustworthy” like a giant graphic of a dog’s nutsack on the front page.
And there’s, like, muscle dog graphics everywhere. In the background. On the documents.
Christ.
“Because nothing says “We Are Secure and trustworthy” like a giant graphic of a dog’s nutsack on the front page.”
Hahahaha.
Priceless:D
I tend to not take comments in a forum thread seriously. It would be nice to back them up with real sources. There are plenty of other more credible sources. A google search certainly provided that.
I can’t take people seriously who quote other peoples comments.
But you do make a point with all googleing. At anyrate I am not worried as I am covered. If this turns out to be a scam I am out 17 bucks. I can live with that. It was worth trying just to expose. But I also noticed there were alot of comments back in the day when secureIX and Relakks started too. So only time will really tell what the scoop is.
The ONLY thing people have posted about this guy is that his name is Douglas Spink. Where is the actual proof that he is indeed the person running TorrentFreedom? All I see are people accusing with no actual linking or proof of any kind save their own word.
Then there is are the bigger idiots who take the hearsay and spit it back out as facts. Their site looks crappy granted. If the service works then great. I dont really much care about the site unless it is working. The fact that noone has taken it down means that it has to have some measure of security.
Give me time SomeoneWhoKnows.Im on the case already.Ill take it down before the week is out.
Proof that “Faust”, the owner of TorrentFreedom, is Douglas Spink? Easy.
Goldens.com is hosted on the same IP address (81.173.31.80) as TorrentFreedom, and is a very similar service. The WHOIS is identical as well; it’s pretty obvious that they’re run by the same person.
Goldens.com used to be “Timberline Retrievers”, a breeder of Golden Retrievers. There are a number of references (easily found using Google) to doug@goldens.com as “Douglas Spink”.
The Goldens.com FAQ (http://goldens.com/faq.php) specifically names “Fausty” as the operator of the site.
“Fausty” is well-known in animal sex forums. One relevant link is http://www.elitezoo.com/Inferno-Backand33-t1928.html&pid=38876&mode=threaded (WARNING: may contain explicit content), on which a user named “Fausty” posts with the subtitle “goldens.com Chief Zoo Officer”. “Zoo” is short for “zoophile”, or “animal molester”.
Finally, Spink’s arrest for cocaine smuggling is documented at http://alex.golub.name/log/2005/04/02/spink-pleads-innocent-only-might-have-slept-with-that-retriever/
”Because nothing says “We Are Secure and trustworthy” like a giant graphic of a dog’s nutsack on the front page.”
haha yep thats classic.
I call Ackbar on SomeoneWhoKnows.
Torrentfreedom.com = 81.173.31.80
goldens.com = 81.173.31.80
http://81.173.31.80 = a generic Cpanel host.
Torrentfreedom.com:
———————–
Administrative Contact:
Old Blood Investments, Ltd.
DNS1: NS1.BANEKI.ORG
DNS2: NS2.BANEKI.ORG
Goldens.com:
———————–
Registrant:
Old Blood Investments, Ltd.
Administrative Contact:Spink,Douglas
DNS1: NS1.BANEKI.ORG
DNS2: NS2.BANEKI.ORG
Baneki.org
———————–
Registrant:
Old Blood Investments, Ltd.
(same canadian address as the above)
Administrative Contact , Technical Contact :
Old Blood Investments, Ltd.
ds@wrinko.net
wrinko.net = 81.173.31.80, and http://wrinko.net == goldens.com
http://goldens.com/contact.php == “Fausty, our CTO/CZO:fausty@goldens.com”
I won’t bother linking to all the previously est. Google links re: dogs. Archive.org has wrinko.net.
So, yes, that’s too many red flags.
Hey TF admins - where’s your reaction?
Why would this/relakks/others stop ISPs from throttling? I imagine that there’s nothing that looks like a full speed torrent connection over VPN in the eyes of an adept network engineer. If it’s a) massive bandwidth b) long periods of time c) encrypted… throttle it. Rocket science?
Run a reverse IP and you get goldenvpn.com == rellakks.com == trueonlinesecurity.com == findno.com etc etc.
Companies house has no “Old Blood Investments Ltd”. Dearest TF you’ve been had. Do you homework next time.
Subpoena my Tor outproxy :o)
SomeoneWhoKnows :
You are clearly a complete dick sir!
There, as I said, do your own damned research, and low and behold, Spell It Out did, and hey presto!
Thanks Spell It Out. Saves me the task :D
@183: Wow, he’s typosquatting on relakks (he registered the same domain with two Ls) too. Further proof of his up-to-no-goodness?
http://www.best-v-i-p.6x.to/
Lopa: are you some kind of retard?
His name is pretty easy to find if you reverse IP the adjacent machine he controls.
NO I WILL NOT PAY A DIME TO GET AN ACCOUNT FOR TORRENT WEBSITE!
I WILL USER PEER GURADIAN IF I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY PIRACY!
ASKING PEOPLE TO PAY FOR IS LIKE ROBBING!
TORRENTFREEDOM SUX! FUCK THEM!
Well I don’t know if TF is to blame for this articel. Its just a report. There is no statement which evaluates the site or gives any advice to use it. From this point of view it holds up the niveau which I am used to read on this great site. It’s a new ’service’ related to bittorrent and this is the place where I wan’t to read those news. If the service is crap is up to you. I really enjoy to read all those comments, thanks to everyone who dug into this.
@ TorrentFreak: keep up the good work folks!
@Kooladez
While you are calling people names like a 15 year old, let me give you an update.
FIRST I gave them the benefit of the doubt. This was all I was doing in my comments.
WELL I had issues with the service. So I raised a ticket. In the ticket I asked some questions that basically has conifrmed a few of the things many have been saying. I gave them MORE than enough info to know where to go with my issue.
What became really obvious to me is that they do not know openvpn (which is what they use) AT ALL or they would have had the answer for me. This was a relativly easy question for their tech support to answer (I got the answer myself)
I am not going to go into specifics on it as I am still seeing this through. You can call Akbar all you want. But unlike TF and a number of other people I went the extra mile and dugg out more info that at least confirmed the speculation everyone is posting.
AT LEAST NOW THERE IS SOME PROOF for me at least. But I will show you how to expose them even further.
My question was simple and one I could have answered myself. I just chose to be a n00b about it and post it to them and see what they would say after reading so many of the comments here.
For the moment I am keeping my “proof” vague enough that they might speculate as to who I am but not know who I am. Again this is a CYA thing. I am taking steps to make sure IF they try to pull something it will blowup in their faces. @Kooladez Calling me a dick for actually investigating claims people are making says alot more about you than anything.
Giving people the benefit of the doubt then proving them right or wrong makes more sense. In this case the community nailed that there is likely some skeevy practices going on. They certainly are not what they claim to be. Their tech support basically showed me that.
Whois can be misleading these days. Once it was more definitive on who owned what. Now that info can be altered and hidden and can have 3rd parties register on behalf of the actual registrant. Colos can often clump info like this. The owner of these domains could also be doing it on behalf of someone else. Considering the purpose of the service in itself would need someone who is dubious (like an animal fucker and convicted drug felon) to help them run it and keep the MAFIAA from tracking it down. So the part of them not knowing who owns what and all that could actually be true. The problems I found are with the implementation of the service vs technical knowledge of the service. If their tech support does not know what the hell they are talking about with a basic question…then I have no reason to trust that they will know what the hell they are doing in implementing it since it sounds like only 4 or 5 guys are running the show.
That all said, I will agree that TorrentFreedom is NOT what it promises. The sites security practices, the obvious lack of knowledge of openvpn in my own experiences with them (you can put this to the test too with your own “issues” if you use Linux).
So at least for my part I am convinced they are not what they say they are. And now that I have armed you with some more info you can at least take that info and provide further proof for yourself and quit calling people dicks for taking an innocent until proven guilty approach. There are other instances besides this one where the registrant is a scumbag who actually is the reg of a legit site. It is good to at least investigate and get the scoop.
This is what TorrentFreak SHOULD have done, but did not. Seems to me that this site is just a fanboi site for torrenting and hyping things without any substance. This was the case here at least. Hopefully they learn from this.
Nobody gives a shit, at the end of the day its a dodgy site run by a dodgy person. Whether he’s been sticking his dick up a dogs arse or dressing in bra and panties I don’t want to give my custom to a person like that.
grandeeeeeeee
Okay, there’s a helluva a lot of garbage in this thread but what’s been uncovered really merits anyone taking a strong second look.
Read post numbers:
157
158
169
170
179
181
183
There are others, but most are flame warring between posts
I seem to have misplaced my secret decoder ring to send operational messages to our contact at the MPAARIAACIANSA - does anyone have a spare?
SWK is cute when she’s angry :-)
This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you’re my only hope!
Peace,
fausty@torrentfreedom.net
I don’t care if Fausty IS a pig fucker.. I don’t care if he has armies of naked children running around in marjuana field and rubs the THC of their bodies to make hash, I don’t even care if he has a penchant for doing unspeakable things to the freshly deceased corpses of old ladies.
If he can (and it still hasn’t been proven to anyone’s satisfaction) provide a completely 100% annonymous, untracked, unmonitored and unlogged service for me to get my fix of TV and other things then I’ll use it, and be quite happy to hand him money to do it…
Quite frankly I’m more disgusted at the so called legitimate authorities actions in voiding freedom of speech and expression, the voilation of our inalienable right to privacy and the criminalisation of the perpetrators of minor misdemeanors.
Fuk it.. Faustys type of scum has become the new Robin Hood.
Pass me my fiddle.
[quote="Fausty"]I seem to have misplaced my secret decoder ring to send operational messages to our contact at the MPAARIAACIANSA - does anyone have a spare?
SWK is cute when she’s angry :-)
This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you’re my only hope!
Peace, [/quote]
Speaking as one once bitten, I can tell you this is typical Fausty. He will ridicule the least likely/provable accusation and completely avoid every legit question of competence.
He moved to Canada after investors, creditors, and customers started closing in on his last scheme. I wonder where he’ll hide this time?
Im all for tracking down his past disgruntled buisness associates and sending them in his direction.
Yeah, I think I will make that my mission for the month.
Faust, Fausty, Doug or whatever other name you go by, your arrogance is catching up with you quickly. Go crawl back under what scummy rock you crawled out from under. You arnt welcome here.
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