Google is set to launch an IP Protection feature in the Chrome browser designed to hide users' IP addresses from website owners. This new feature can serve as a built-in anonymizer aimed at preventing tracking of movements and bypassing blocking at both the site level and at the telecom operator.
Technically, IP Protection implementation involves routing traffic through a proxy server before reaching the target server. To anonymize requests, routing through multiple proxies is possible, with each subsequent proxy seeing only the previous one in the chain, not the client's actual IP address, similar to using VPN.
Google plans to test IP address protection mode on a limited number of users in upcoming Chrome browser releases (119 to 125). The initial testing phase will use a single Google-owned proxy server and obfuscation. IP addresses This phase will be activated only for Google domains and ad networks. This phase will cover up to 33% of US users participating in experimental versions of Chrome.
At the next stage of testing, it is planned to introduce a configuration of two proxy levels. The connection will initially be routed from the browser through an encrypted tunnel to a Google proxy, then to a second proxy from a separate company not affiliated with Google. This will ensure the anonymity of the user's IP address for the first proxy and confidentiality of information about the target host for the second. Traffic will be routed through the proxy using the CONNECT and CONNECT-UDP methods, using the TLS protocol to provide encryption.
To prevent abuse, the first proxy controlled by Google will be accessed through a cryptographic token associated with your Google account in Chrome. The token will also have traffic restrictions to prevent the proxy from being abused for malicious purposes.
The IP address hiding mode will be disabled by default and can be enabled at the user's request. The use of address hiding will be limited to a list of domains known to track user movements in order to avoid unwanted changes affecting the functionality of sites.
To solve problems with location binding, it is proposed to use a second-level proxy in the same country or city as the user. There are plans to expand the network of second-level proxy servers in cooperation with various providers and content delivery networks.
Source: linux.org.ru
