[Eli_P]

I doubt the number of nodes is important when you can split a large group of them into a few subgroups and analyze them or alter how they interact with each other, then repeat subdivision; because again, them overlay networks are like smaller sandboxes inside the big one.

[fsflover]

Don’t forget that you have to do all this within 10 minutes, because after that time the network configuration will be totally different.

[Eli_P]

Yes, overlay network's configuration will be somewhat different, but physically it will be the same. It's like you're rearranging apple bits in a pie to save them; the pie will be sliced and eaten anyways.

[fsflover]

> the pie will be sliced and eaten anyways.

The difference is how long it takes and how much resources. There is no perfect security. Security is not a "yes/no" thing.

[Eli_P]

All correct. It's just important to remember who's the attacker:

  Alice -- ISP1 -- 1000 hops -- ISP2 -- Bob

Alice and Bob's identities are protected from each other, but not from the govt because ISPs collect metadata.

[fsflover]

> because ISPs collect metadata

Which metadata? ISPs only know your next hop. Check out how garlic routing works.