Follow the scent
Erik C. Rye, Robert Beverly, kc claffy
Abstract
IPv6's large address space allows ample freedom for choosing and assigning addresses. To improve client privacy and resist IP-based tracking, standardized techniques leverage this large address space, including privacy extensions and provider prefix rotation. Ephemeral and dynamic IPv6 addresses confound not only tracking and traffic correlation attempts, but also traditional network measurements, logging, and defense mechanisms. We show that the intended anti-tracking capability of these widely deployed mechanisms is unwittingly subverted by edge routers using legacy IPv6 addressing schemes that embed unique identifiers.
Topics & Concepts
Computer scienceIPv6IdentifierLeverage (statistics)Ephemeral keyComputer securityAddress spaceOverlay networkComputer networkPasswordRouterEnhanced Data Rates for GSM EvolutionIPv6 addressOverlayIPv4The InternetWorld Wide WebArtificial intelligenceProgramming languageIPv6, Mobility, Handover, Networks, SecurityNetwork Security and Intrusion DetectionInternet Traffic Analysis and Secure E-voting