Analyzing anonymity in cyberspace

For any organization interested in securing anonymity in cyberspace, the ability to understand changes in anonymity levels during a cyber attack is crucial. To achieve anonymity actions should be separated from the agents who perform them, for some adversary. Anonymity in general as well as the anonymity of each particular agent or group is dependent upon several factors. Thus, numerous methods of analyzing anonymity in cyberspace exist. Typical approaches use simple quantifications and basic probabilistic models. This paper explores a variety of anonymity metrics. Practical applications of the metrics reveal how anonymity is defined and quantified in cyberspace. The objective is to provide a macro-level view of the systematic analysis of anonymity preservation, degradation, or elimination in existing and proposed wired and wireless anonymous communications networks.