What is V3 Onion Address?

What is V3 Onion Address?

A V3 Onion Address is a particular kind of domain that is solely used within the Tor network. It is identified by its unique pattern and layout. The V3 Onion Address is made up of a 56 character string, which can be any alphabetical letter or decimal digits ranging from 2 to 7. This sequence of 56 characters represent a 35-byte or 280-bit hash in base32.

A real-life example of a V3 Onion Address is the v3 address of the Tor Project. This organization is responsible for the advancement and endorsement of the Tor network. The specific V3 Onion Address of the Tor Project is http://2gzyxa5ihm7nsggfxnu52rck2vv4rvmdlkiu3zzui5du4xyclen53wid.onion/. This address exemplifies the combination of 56 characters, which include both alphabetical letters and decimal digits, that construct the unique domain limited to the Tor network. This exact address points users straight to the Tor Project when accessed within the Tor network.

The V3 Onion Address is based on the ED25519 digital signature system. It is derived from an ED25519 private key. The process for creating a V3 Onion Address is as follows:

1. Create a 32-byte (256-bit) random seed value as an ED25519 private key.
2. Derive an ED25519 public key that corresponds with the private key.
3. Create a SHA3-256 checksum, which is made up of the constant ".onion checksum", the ED25519 public key, and the version string "\x03".
4. Take the ED25519 public key, the first 2 bytes of the checksum, and the version string "\x03", and convert them into a base32 hash.

The V3 Onion Address represents the next generation of Tor Onion Services. The introduction of this version has brought about numerous changes, among which the most noticeable is the revamped cryptography. Unlike the V2 Onion Address which relied on RSA for its cryptographic needs, the V3 Onion Address uses ECC, also known as elliptic curve cryptography.

ECC is a modern cryptographic system that provides extensive security and operates on the principle of elliptic curves. It is this implementation of ECC that sets the V3 Onion Address apart from its predecessor, the V2 Onion Address, which utilized RSA - a now outdated public-key cryptosystem.

The use of ECC in the V3 Onion Address offers some noteworthy advantages. The most significant of these is the substantial enhancement in the level of security. ECC is widely recognized for its robust security capabilities, which make it extremely difficult for attackers to breach. This, in turn, provides better onion address security against impersonation.

So, in conclusion, the V3 Onion Address, with its advanced cryptography in the form of ECC and its use of the ED25519 digital signature system, is a significant improvement over its predecessor. It offers a faster, more efficient service and an elevated level of security that greatly surpasses that of the RSA-based V2 Onion Address.