Metaroids

    Subscribe to the Metaverse Newsletter

    Join me as we build a network of metaverse and web3 pioneers.

    What's Hot

    OpenAI Hired Developers to Train AI to Replace Developers

    January 28, 2023

    Ex-Google SVP Launched AI-Powered Search Engine

    January 28, 2023

    BuzzFeed Plans to ‘Hire’ ChatGPT as Newest Content Creator

    January 28, 2023
    Twitter
    Metaroids
    • Home
    • News

      OpenAI Hired Developers to Train AI to Replace Developers

      January 28, 2023

      Ex-Google SVP Launched AI-Powered Search Engine

      January 28, 2023

      BuzzFeed Plans to ‘Hire’ ChatGPT as Newest Content Creator

      January 28, 2023

      Lawyer Could Face Jail Time for Bringing AI in Court

      January 26, 2023

      Anand Mahindra Sparks Alarm Over Deepfake Videos

      January 25, 2023
    • Learn

      Midjourney Mastery: A Guide to Using Image Prompts

      January 22, 2023

      Design UI Like a Pro: 5 Advanced Midjourney Tricks

      January 13, 2023

      Reddit Moons: An Ultimate Guide

      January 12, 2023

      The ChatGPT Era: How Creatives Can Ensure Longevity & Thrive

      January 7, 2023

      Google Translate vs ChatGPT vs DeepL: Translator Ultimate Showdown

      January 6, 2023
    • Others
      1. Feature
      2. Press Release
      3. Opinion
      4. Lists
      5. View All

      ChatGPT: How AI Can Potentially Impact the World’s Religions

      January 27, 2023

      Humans’ Quest to Decode Animal Languages Through AI

      January 25, 2023

      ChatGPT + Wolfram Alpha: A Super Powerful Assistant

      January 22, 2023

      AI-Powered Sexbots and the Risks They Could Trigger in the Future

      January 21, 2023

      Hyped NFT Trippin’ Ape Tribe to Launch on Solana in Mid-Late May

      May 6, 2022

      Microsoft’s VALL-E May Trigger an Avalanche of Cyber Crimes

      January 18, 2023

      Why Web3 Gaming is Failing & How to Turn the Tide

      December 23, 2022

      Can the Metaverse Work Without Blockchain?

      August 17, 2022

      NFTs are 100% Sustainable: Here’s Why Critics are Wrong

      August 8, 2022

      Best Solana Wallets for NFTs, DeFi, & Security

      October 27, 2022

      Top Move-to-Earn Crypto Apps That Pay You to Exercise

      August 31, 2022

      Top 13 Blockchains for NFTs (Choose Wisely)

      August 16, 2022

      Top Selling NFT Collections of August 2022

      August 9, 2022

      OpenAI Hired Developers to Train AI to Replace Developers

      January 28, 2023

      Ex-Google SVP Launched AI-Powered Search Engine

      January 28, 2023

      BuzzFeed Plans to ‘Hire’ ChatGPT as Newest Content Creator

      January 28, 2023

      ChatGPT: How AI Can Potentially Impact the World’s Religions

      January 27, 2023
    • Contact
    Twitter Discord LinkedIn
    Metaroids
    Home » Are Ethereum Transactions Traceable? Send ETH Anonymously
    How to send Ethereum anonymously
    How to send Ethereum anonymously
    Learn

    Are Ethereum Transactions Traceable? Send ETH Anonymously

    By Evan EzquerJanuary 12, 2021Updated:January 28, 2023No Comments6 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Reddit Telegram

    Summary

    • Ethereum transactions are traceable
    • There is a way to send ETH anonymously

    Update: Now that Tornado Cash’s source code has been made open source, this guide is working again! However, note that we don’t condone the use of these privacy-preserving mechanisms for malicious purposes. The original Tornado Cash was banned for a reason; criminals were using it too much. But we also believe that privacy is a fundamental right for people and that the tool shouldn’t be prohibited because of bad actors (who will find ways regardless).

    Are Ethereum Transactions Traceable?

    Yes, Ethereum transactions are traceable, but they are not that easy to trace.

    Transactions in Ether are categorized as pseudo-anonymous since tracing the identity of an Ethereum wallet owner or receiver of funds requires extensive chain analysis and data mining.

    The Ethereum blockchain is transparent, meaning its transaction data are accessible to the public. Anyone could easily use Etherscan to track the movement of funds as long as they know the wallet address or transaction ID.

    However, information taken from blockchain explorers is not enough to link a wallet to its real-world user. But by careful chain analysis, one individual or organization can trace the origin of where the ETH was first purchased.

    Since most Ether are bought on online exchanges and marketplaces via bank transfers or cards, a wallet holder’s identity could be revealed. And even if a user doesn’t use exchanges and buys all his ETH with cash, his IP address can still be traced.

    There are other methods like social engineering and triangulation that help unveil a wallet owner’s identity if they fail to mask their IP address.

    How To Send Ethereum Anonymously

    If you want to send ETH anonymously, there are simple steps you can take even if you’re not the tech-savvy type. These are the steps:

    1. Use/Create a web3 wallet
    2. Mask your IP address
    3. Use Tornado Cash to send ETH anonymously

    How to Set Up Metamask

    Exchange wallets are obviously linked to your identity so you must not use them for anonymous transactions. What you need is a web3 wallet like MetaMask. Chances are that you already have one so you may skip ahead.

    If not, go and download the MetaMask plugin for Chrome.

    Click on ADD TO CHROME and confirm by clicking Add Extension. After the plugin is installed, the MetaMask logo will be displayed at the top-right of your Chrome browser.

    Click on it and read the Privacy Notice if you want. As you can see, MetaMask says that “your current account is visible to every new site you visit.” This is why step two is important. Anyway, scroll down to click Accept once you’re done.

    MetaMask after the setup

    MetaMask will then prompt you to create a new password for your account. Be sure to use a strong password that you won’t forget.

    Then, MetaMask will show your “Seed Words” recovery key. Secure this key as much as you can. It can be used to gain access to your wallet even if you forget the password or lose your device.

    Once you have secured your seed words you should be ready to receive your first transactions.

    Your MetaMask wallet should look something like this. Click on Deposit to top up your wallet with ETH.

    How to Mask Your IP Address

    This is the part where most people either skip or don’t know that it’s actually necessary. Using fancy mixing tools can only get you so far. Failure to hide your IP address will give you away if someone is serious enough to trace you.

    There are a number of ways to mask your IP such as using:

    1. a VPN
    2. a proxy server
    3. Tor browser

    I recommend using a VPN because it has better anonymization features. A VPN connection can route and anonymize all of your network traffic while a proxy server can merely redirect web requests.

    The TOR browser offers the same (or better) anonymization capabilities as a VPN connection. However, it is quite slow and inconvenient for most users.

    There are tons of VPN’s in the web but I’m used to PureVPN (affiliate link) so I recommend you use it. Simply install it on your browser the same way you did with MetaMask.

    Once installed, click the PureVPN icon on the top-right section of your browser. You could sign up to a 7-days free trial.

    I’ll leave the signup to you. Once done, log in your credentials and boom! Bob’s your uncle.

    You can actually select which country to connect to. Once you’ve decided which country, click connect.

    And that’s it! Your traffic is now being masked.

    How to Use Tornado Cash to Send Ethereum Anonymously

    Tornado Cash was banned in 2022, but the original creators made it open-source, and you can access the platform here. If that link doesn’t work, here’s an alternative: https://nova.tornadocash.eth.link/.

    Now it’s time to finally send your anonymous transaction.

    Connect to Tornado Cash
    Connect to Tornado Cash

    Choose ETH under the Token drop-down list and input the amount you want to deposit. In my case, I’ll just deposit the minimum 0.1 ETH.

    You will then be prompted to backup your note. Be sure to copy it and store it somewhere safe first. Then click Send Deposit.

    You will then be prompted on MetaMask to confirm. After you deposit, you could check if the transaction went through via etherscan.

    That right there is your Ethereum balance locked in a contract. Now it’s time to send them to a newly-created wallet.

    I recommend you use your MetaMask to generate a new wallet since you are using the browser extension VPN. If you want to use a mobile or desktop wallet be sure to install and use a VPN for your entire device whenever you send transactions.

    Once you have your new wallet, click on Withdraw and input the Note you saved earlier and paste your new wallet address. Then, click withdraw.

    You will then receive a confirmation that your ETH has been withdrawn. And that’s it!

    You now have a fresh wallet that is not linked to your identity in any way. Enjoy your new-found anonymity.

    The Takeaway

    Ethereum transactions are traceable only if you allow it to be. Using Tornado Cash is one of the easiest ways to be able to send Ethereum anonymously.

    Keeping your financial history private is your human right. No one should be able to stop you from doing it. With that being said, you must take responsibility for maintaining your anonymity.

    Never forget to turn your VPN on whenever you send transactions from your anonymous address otherwise your efforts will go to waste.


    Join our newsletter as we build a community of AI and web3 pioneers.

    The next 3-5 years is when new industry titans will emerge, and we want you to be one of them.

    Benefits include:

    • Receive updates on the most significant trends
    • Receive crucial insights that will help you stay ahead in web3
    • Access whitelist spots of the most hyped NFT drops
    • The chance to be part of our OG community, which will have exclusive membership perks

    Subscribe to the Metaverse Newsletter

    * indicates required


    By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy agreement.
    anonymity Ethereum privacy Tornado Cash
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Reddit Telegram
    Evan Ezquer
    • Website
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    Evan, the founder of Metaroids, is an OG crypto enthusiast and content creator who has explored the world of blockchain, AI, and other cutting-edge tech for nearly a decade. His ultimate goal is to build the best community on the Internet. Up until January 2023, Evan has been writing on Metaroids under the pseudonym Falkris.

    Related Posts

    Midjourney Mastery: A Guide to Using Image Prompts

    January 22, 2023

    Design UI Like a Pro: 5 Advanced Midjourney Tricks

    January 13, 2023

    Reddit Moons: An Ultimate Guide

    January 12, 2023

    The ChatGPT Era: How Creatives Can Ensure Longevity & Thrive

    January 7, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Latest Articles
    News

    Ex-Google SVP Launched AI-Powered Search Engine

    By Stark
    News

    BuzzFeed Plans to ‘Hire’ ChatGPT as Newest Content Creator

    By Damocles
    Feature

    ChatGPT: How AI Can Potentially Impact the World’s Religions

    By Damocles
    Metaroids
    Twitter
    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Our Authors
    • Privacy Policy
    • Sitemap
    Privacy Policy and Terms of Services
    Copyright © 2023 - All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.