this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2025
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[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 0 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago) (3 children)

Packet data has headers that can identify where it's coming from and where it's going to

Wouldn't you have to have some sort of MITM to be able to inspect that traffic?

This is also why something like Tor manages to circumvent packet sniffing

TOR is what their already-existing tip tool uses.

[–] ICastFist@programming.dev 1 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

Wouldn’t you have to have some sort of MITM to be able to inspect that traffic?

That, or a court order telling your ISP or mobile operator to allow the sniffing. Or just the police wanting to snoop your stuff because they can. Not every country cares about individual or human rights, you know

TOR is what their already-existing tip tool uses.

Yes, but tor can be blocked at a firewall level, its packets are easy to identify. "Nations like China, Iran, Belarus, North Korea, and Russia have implemented measures to block or penalize Tor usage"

[–] papertowels@mander.xyz 1 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Would you? Are the headers encrypted?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Does it matter? How would you get access to such information?

[–] papertowels@mander.xyz 1 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) (1 children)

If the header isn't encrypted it'd be easy to inspect, and thus easy to determine where it goes, which is why it matters.

Based on your questions, it sounds like you're expecting the network traffic itself to be encrypted, as if there were a VPN. Does signal offer such a feature? My understanding is that the messages themselves are encrypted, but the traffic isn't, but I could be wrong.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

If the header isn't encrypted it'd be easy to inspect

Easy for whom? How are you getting access to the traffic info?

[–] papertowels@mander.xyz 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

You're talking about encryption and signal because you're worried about folks whose network you're connected to being able to invade your privacy, right?

I'd say it's a pretty reasonable suggestion to say we start with those guys. If you don't worry about those guys, who do have access to traffic info, then why bother with encryption?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

You're talking about encryption and signal because you're worried about folks whose network you're connected to being able to invade your privacy, right?

LOL no? I'd never blow the whistle on my employer from my desk. Even if I did, I would connect to a different network.

I recognize other people are not as conscious as I am of that vulnerability but you asked about me, specifically.

If you don't worry about those guys, who do have access to traffic info, then why bother with encryption?

Any number of other people. Primarily the government.

[–] papertowels@mander.xyz 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Any number of other people. Primarily the government.

Right, so if the header isn't encrypted, it'd be trivial for them to see who you're sending to, which is why that's important.

You never answered my question - do you think the network connection itself is encrypted? Or just the content of the messages?

[–] Cenzorrll@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago

Wouldn't you have to have some sort of MITM to be able to inspect that traffic?

You mean like your workplace wifi that you're blowing the whistle at?