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Tips for Anonymity

zDoge provides the cryptographic foundation for privacy, but maintaining anonymity also requires proper operational security (OpSec).

The Anonymity Set​

Your privacy is directly proportional to the anonymity set size - the number of shielded notes in the system. The larger the set, the harder it is to correlate your transactions.

Small Set (10 notes):    1 in 10 chance of correlation
Large Set (1000 notes): 1 in 1000 chance of correlation

How to Maximize Anonymity Set​

  1. Wait between transactions - Let more notes accumulate after yours
  2. Vary transaction timing - Don't create patterns
  3. Use the system actively - More users = larger anonymity set

Timing Considerations​

Don't Transfer Immediately After Shield​

If you shield at 2:00 PM and transfer at 2:05 PM, an observer might correlate them based on timing.

Better approach:

  • Wait hours or days between shield and transfer
  • Vary your timing randomly
  • Don't follow a predictable pattern

Avoid Patterns​

Bad: Always shield Monday, transfer Tuesday, unshield Wednesday Good: Vary your timing randomly

Amount Patterns​

Vary Transaction Amounts​

Unlike fixed-denomination mixers, zDoge supports any amount. This means:

Good practices:

  • Don't always use round numbers (100, 200, 300)
  • Vary amounts slightly (98.5, 201.3, 299.7)
  • Don't create obvious patterns

Bad: Shield 100, transfer 100, unshield 100 Good: Shield 100, transfer 98.5, unshield 95.2

Network Privacy​

Use a VPN or Tor​

Your IP address can be logged. For maximum privacy:

  • Use a reputable VPN service
  • Consider using the Tor browser
  • Avoid using your home or work IP

Fresh Recipient Addresses​

Bad: Unshield to an address that received funds from your main wallet Good: Generate a brand new address with no transaction history

Wallet Hygiene​

Shielded Address Privacy​

Your shielded address (zdoge:...) is public and can be shared. However:

  • Sharing your shielded address is safe (can't spend your notes)
  • Important: Don't link your shielded address to your identity publicly
  • Use different shielded addresses for different purposes (optional)

Spending Key Security​

Your spending key is the master key:

  • Never share your spending key
  • Back it up securely (offline, encrypted)
  • Store multiple copies in secure locations
  • Never store it online or in cloud storage

Metadata Leakage​

Browser Fingerprinting​

  • Use incognito/private browsing mode
  • Clear cookies after each session
  • Consider a privacy-focused browser
  • Use different browsers for different transactions

RPC Endpoint Privacy​

The RPC endpoint you use can log your requests. Consider:

  • Self-hosted nodes
  • Privacy-focused RPC providers
  • Rotating between providers

Transaction Patterns​

Shield → Transfer → Unshield​

Good pattern:

  1. Shield tokens
  2. Wait (hours/days)
  3. Transfer to another shielded address
  4. Wait (hours/days)
  5. Unshield to fresh address

This breaks the link at multiple points.

Multiple Transfers​

If you need to send to multiple recipients:

Good: Make separate transfers with delays between them Bad: All transfers in quick succession

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

MistakeRiskSolution
Immediate transfer after shieldTiming correlationWait for more notes
Same address for shield/unshieldDirect linkUse fresh addresses
Round number amountsAmount correlationVary amounts slightly
Same browser sessionSession trackingUse private browsing
Public WiFi without VPNIP exposureAlways use VPN
Discussing transactionsSocial engineeringNever share details
Linking shielded address to identityIdentity correlationKeep addresses separate

Privacy Checklist​

Before making transactions, verify:

  • Waited sufficient time since last transaction
  • Using VPN or Tor
  • Recipient address is fresh (for unshield)
  • Amounts are varied (not round numbers)
  • Private/incognito browser mode
  • Not creating timing patterns
  • Spending key is backed up securely

Understanding the Limits​

zDoge provides cryptographic privacy but cannot protect against:

  • Timing analysis: If transactions happen at unique times
  • Amount analysis: If your amounts are unique
  • Social engineering: If you tell someone about your transaction
  • Endpoint logging: If your RPC provider logs requests
  • Browser fingerprinting: If your browser is uniquely identifiable
  • Metadata correlation: If you link transactions through other means

Privacy is a practice, not just a tool.

Best Practices Summary​

  1. Wait between transactions - Let anonymity set grow
  2. Vary amounts and timing - Don't create patterns
  3. Use VPN/Tor - Protect your IP
  4. Fresh addresses - For unshield recipients
  5. Secure spending key - Back it up offline
  6. Private browsing - Reduce fingerprinting
  7. Don't link identities - Keep transactions separate
Legal Note

Users are responsible for understanding and complying with local regulations regarding privacy protocols. zDoge is a tool - how you use it is your responsibility.