ProxyHam Anonymising Router Disappears

A remote router that was to ensure absolute anonymity over Wi-Fi connections has been mysteriously shelved by its developers. ProxyHam, an untraceable “hardware proxy” designed to protect the identity of anyone who used it, was due to be unveiled at the DefCon conference later this month, but has now been pulled from the event after development of the device was ceased.

Rhino Security Labs, the developers of ProxyHam, announced on Twitter, “Effective immediately, we are halting further dev on #proxyham and will not be releasing any further details or source for the device,” following up with, “Existing #proxyham units will be disposed of and no longer be made available at @_defcon_”.

Effective immediately, we are halting further dev on #proxyham and will not be releasing any further details or source for the device

— Rhino Security Labs (@RhinoSecurity) July 10, 2015

Existing #proxyham units will be disposed of and no longer be made available at @_defcon_

— Rhino Security Labs (@RhinoSecurity) July 10, 2015

The circumstances of the device’s demise appear rather shadowy, with Rhino Security refusing to disclose the details of why it has called time on ProxyHam. In response to a concerned Twitter follower, Rhino Security said, “Can’t go into too much more detail, but are immediately shutting down all #proxyham research”.

@rewtd nothing missed, unfortunately. Can't go into too much more detail, but are immediately shutting down all #proxyham research

— Rhino Security Labs (@RhinoSecurity) July 10, 2015

Only a few weeks ago, Rhino Security’s Ben Caudill, creator of ProxyHam, was waxing lyrical about the hardware, which is based around a Raspberry Pi mini-computer. Caudill told Wired that ProxyHam would be “that last-ditch effort to remain anonymous and keep yourself safe,” boasting that “The KGB isn’t kicking in your door. They’re kicking in the door of the library 2.5 miles away.”

Wired contacted Caudill for more information regarding the project’s closure, to which he responded, “I can’t say much, which is unfortunate. It’s frustrating for me and for the team as a whole.”

Pure speculation, but it sounds as though an external influence has forced ProxyHam into the ground. Whether that’s governmental, legal, or corporate pressure, we’re unlikely to ever know.

Thank you Wired for providing us with this information.