So the NSA has reportedly been trying to break into the Tor network, which is a suite of tools to protect anonymity online. But they haven't managed to crack the network since it's too secure as an infrastructure. They're so desperate to crack the code that they've even decided to go after the network's individual users.

According to The Guardian, the NSA's attempts to infiltrate was based on those leaked documents by Edward Snowden. In the NSA's own words:
"We will never be able to de-anonymize all Tor users all the time. … With manual analysis we can de-anonymize a very small fraction of Tor users." It adds that it can't identify a specific user on command.
But while the Tor network might be rock solid, its users are still very much vulnerable. Methods involve tapping into the Tor nodes and looking for patterns in people entering and leaving the network; directing traffic through NSA servers; and tracking users based on when they log on to the Tor network. The NSA is also looking into disrupting the Tor service in order to force these anonymous users out into the open.

But even if the NSA did one day manage to break into Tor, they'll probably still have to shift through all those botnets and porn if they want to really get their hands on any worthwhile intelligence.

[The Guardian]