a question

[ksmith]

Before I search further, I'll toss out a general question. Do/Can internet cafes and other public places log the IP addresses of folks using the service and could law enforcement use that info to track/trace a person of interest? IOW, if you take off, toss your laptop over the nearest bridge and use public?

Comments

[elmunadi.livejournal.com]

Consider also portable apps that allow for anonymization of IP address, such as TOR (The Onion Router). - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_(anonymity_network)

Scenario runs somewhat differently:

Go into netcafe (find one that's lax about allowing content to run from USB sticks - not hard to do).

Plug USB stick with TOR on it in, run from stick.

TOR quickly establishes a series of blind-jump links via TOR routing hosts on the net, such that your web-based nefariousness will to be coming from an IP address in Germany, Russia, etc...

Run portable Firefox browser with TOR usage enabled, and all location-grabbing turned off (java, cookies, etc...)

TOR app allows you to refresh and set up a different link-chain at will, making it even harder to track/trace, as different actions will appear to come from varying locations.

IP address of machine you're on is not findable by LE in any meaningful timeframe. Use of portable apps that do not leave tracks in system registry likewise.

End result... unless you provide info as to identity in your actions (buying something on web with credit card, having cookies or personal info on USB stick accessible to browser, and hit sites that slurp up that info (email address, etc...), you're going to be a nightmare to trace/track.

Note: this doesn't require use of netcafe - can do from home. however, netcafe has the advantage of separation from your home, tho the PC used there may not be as sanitary as one you have control over...