Synonyms
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Definition
In the paper-based world, a pseudonym is a ficticious name for an individual. Examples are pen names, aliases, legalized names, or working names. In the realm of electronic communication, a pseudonym (or sometimes just “nym”) can be any identifier that an individual or object uses in a particular context. The purpose of using pseudonyms is to identify an individual or object in the respective context while leaving it unidentified in other (unintended) contexts. In effect, one keeps transactions in different contexts separate such that observers who have access to both contexts cannot link the transactions of the same individual or those related to the same object (anonymity and unlinkability).
Background
In oppressive political environments, people use pseudonyms to make public political statements and to hide the identities of their correspondents. In more tolerant environments, people use pseudonyms to avoid...
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Recommended Reading
Chaum D (1981) Untraceable electronic mail, return addresses, and digital pseudonyms. Commun ACM 24(2):84–88
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Bleumer, G. (2011). Pseudonyms. In: van Tilborg, H.C.A., Jajodia, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cryptography and Security. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5906-5_216
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