The Free Haven Project:
Distributed Anonymous Storage Service

Roger Dingledine
MIT
arma@mit.edu - Michael J. Freedman
MIT
mfreed@mit.edu - David Molnar
Harvard University
dmolnar@fas.harvard.edu

July 25, 2000

Abstract:

The Free Haven Project is a design for a system of anonymous storage which resists the attempts of powerful adversaries to find or destroy stored data. We explicitly specify requirements for such a storage system and enumerate distinct notions of anonymity. We suggest a way to classify anonymous systems based on the kinds of anonymity provided. Accountability of servers is explicitly addressed through the use of a ``trust network,'' which attempts to limit the damage done by misbehaving servers. Design choices common to several anonymous storage and publication systems are identified. We end by identifying possible attacks, defenses, and future questions.