Few questions about hostnames

[susozohi]

Wiki

Another option is to use different hostnames for different purposes, rather than relying on a global hostname - this option is available on some OSes

1. For more privacy is that okay to change MAC after every change of hostname ?
2. Why it’s

better to use different hostnames for different purposes, rather than relying on a global hostname

What are cons and pros if you google “most used hostnames” and change whonix gateway and workstation to one of often used hostnames and keep hostname unchangeble

3. Who see the hostname of whonix VM’s ? Your ISP, ISP of entry node, middle or exit node ?

[0brand]

Hi susozohi

This can get a little complicated.

For more privacy is that okay to change MAC after every change of hostname ?

Short answer yes its OK. Probably a good idea. What you are doing is making it a more difficult to correlate the different conceptual identities to hostnames, MAC addresses etc. However, depending on the situation e.g. you’re on a home computer or up against an advanced adversary this may not provide much if any benefit.

Why it’s

better to use different hostnames for different purposes, rather than relying on a global hostname

If you’re using only 1 hostname for all of you identities its easier to link them across the different activates. e.g. are you more likely to be seen hiding behind 1 bush or 100 bushes?

What are cons and pros if you google “most used hostnames” and change whonix gateway and workstation to one of often used hostnames and keep hostname unchangeble

Its not just your hostname that can be used to identify you. You want to try to blend in with all the other Whonix/Tor users. If you use a different (other than default “user” ) hostname you could stick out from other users.

See also:

Data Collection Techniques

DoNot

Who see the hostname of whonix VM’s ? Your ISP, ISP of entry node, middle or exit node ?

It can be seen. Thats’ what matters. If you have a unique hostname it can be used in conjunction with other tracking methods to follow your movements around the web.

[Patrick]

0brand:

Who see the hostname of whonix VM’s ? Your ISP, ISP of entry node, middle or exit node ?

It can be seen.

How can the ISP, entry, middle or exit relay see the hostname of a
Whonix VM?

Hostname leakage is conceivable (for example IRC clients leak if not
configured) and then it’s better set to a shared non-telling value but I
am not aware of this being a common case.