TCP/IP Model & How it Relates to Browsing the Internet Anonymously BY: HELEN LIN

Contents  What is the TCP/IP model?  History  Layers of TCP/IP  Internet Layer  Way to browse the internet anonymously  What are the drawbacks?

TCP/IP Model  TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol.  Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is a collection of protocols designed to facilitate how data and communication are handled over a large network.

History  It was developed in 1969 by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).  TCP/IP was born from a resource-sharing experiment called Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) which later evolved into what we now know as the internet.  TCP/IP is maintained by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) which operates under the Internet Society – an international non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing “relevant technical documents that influences the way people design, use, and manage the internet.”

Layers of TCP/IP Model  The TCP/IP model can be broken down into four major layers:  Application layer  Transport layer  Internet layer  Network interface layer / Network access layer

Layers of TCP/IP Model  Application layer - defines how programs run by the host interacts with transport layer services to access the network  Transport layer - provides the communication session management between host computers.  This layer defines the level of service and status of the connection used when transporting data.  Internet layer - responsible for packaging data into IP datagrams (packets).  IP datagrams contain the source and destination address as information used to forward the datagram across the network.  The internet layer is comprised of many protocols such as: IP (Internet Protocol)  Network interface layer - responsible for detailing how data is physically sent through the network, i.e. it details how bits are electrically signaled by devices that interface with the network e.g. coaxial cables.

TCP/IP Model

IP – Internet Protocol  Internet Protocol (IP), a internet layer protocol, defines the format of datagrams (or packets), and the addressing scheme.  Every computer on the network has an IP address that identifies it.  IP is an connectionless protocol, i.e. there is no connection between the source and destination.  Packets are treated as independent data and is reorganized correctly due to TCP.

Public IP Address  Public IP address – used by internet servers, network routers, or any computer connected directly to the Internet via a modem.  Can be accessed over the internet like a postal address.  How to figure out your public IP address?  Google search “IP”  In some s, you can find the IP address of the sender.

What can someone do with your public IP address?  Get your location.  Using geolocation to get the router or the ISP location.  It’s possible to obtain a person’s exact location (however, it may be difficult).  Attack your computer/network.  DDOS.  Malicious users may scan your network for open ports or simply break into your router and act as a computer on the network, etc.

IP Geolocation Websites  These IP Geolocation websites typically show the location of the ISP (internet service provider) providing the connection.   

IP Geolocation:

Ways to Mask Your IP Address  Proxy Servers  VPN (virtual private network) software/services

Proxy Servers  A proxy server functions as an intermediary between your computer and the Internet.  Traffic from your browser is re-routed and made to appear to come from the proxy server's IP address.  Ex. Tor Browser - Internet traffic is routed through Tor’s network.  Disadvantage:  The proxy server owner can may view information saved on their cache such as passwords, usernames, browsing history.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)  VPN mask your IP address and also encrypt all the traffic from your computer to the desired destination by using encryption protocols and secure tunneling techniques.  VPNs also secure your data when using public Wi-Fi networks.  Ex. Foxyproxy – offers both VPN and proxy.  Disadvantage:  The VPN provider may have security vulnerabilities.

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