Go stealth: ProxyHam can hide your IP address

Whether they're avoiding online surveillance or participating in illegal hacking (hopefully not), internet users need to protect their IP addresses in order to remain anonymous. That's why information security professional Ben Caudill has developed a device that will add a physical layer of protection to internet users who want to hide their location. Caudill plans to unveil it at the upcoming DefCon hacker conference in Las Vegas.

Named as ProxyHam, the open-source device is a hardware proxy that uses a 900 megahertz radio connection to alter the location of a user's IP address. Built for $200 (Rs 12,680 approx), ProxyHam has a range between one and 2.5 miles, depending on interference from buildings and the surrounding landscape.

The device creates a physical barrier to tracking users. Even if an IP address is fully tracked to a physical location, by stashing the ProxyHam in a nearby library, or café, users can be a mile away when the intellegence agencies finally kicks down the door.

Caudill plans to sell the device to DefCon attendees at cost and will also share instructions on how to build the device after DefCon. Proxy Ham mainly consists of a Raspberry Pi computer, a WiFi card, and a 900 megahertz antenna. While it sounds like a dangerous tool, Caudill adds that he's concerned with protecting dissidents and whistleblowers that need more internet security. Caudill goes on to explain, "Journalists and dissidents in Arab Spring countries, for instance… these people have very high security requirements. This is that last-ditch effort to remain anonymous and keep yourself safe."