Proxies: Difference between revisions

Routing all traffic through Tor provides several benefits: - '''Anonymity''': Tor hides your IP address by routing your traffic through multiple nodes. - '''Privacy''': Your internet service provider (ISP) and other third parties cannot easily monitor your online activities. - '''Access to Restricted Content''': You can access content that may be blocked or restricted in your region.

=== Tor vs. VPN ===

'' '''Tor''': Tor is a free, decentralized network that anonymizes your traffic by routing it through multiple volunteer-operated nodes. It is particularly effective for high privacy needs but may be slower due to multiple hops.

'' '''VPN''': A VPN provides encryption and routes your traffic through a server operated by the VPN provider. VPNs can offer faster speeds and are easier to use but require trust in the VPN provider.

=== Proxy vs. VPN ===

'' '''Proxy''': A proxy routes your internet traffic through a single server, hiding your IP address but not necessarily encrypting your data. Proxies are useful for accessing geo-restricted content but offer less security than VPNs or Tor.

'' '''VPN''': A VPN encrypts all your traffic and routes it through a secure server, providing both privacy and security. VPNs are generally faster than Tor but require trust in the VPN provider.

When setting up a proxy server, consider the following: - '''Security''': Ensure the server is secured to prevent unauthorized access. Use strong passwords and consider setting up a firewall. - '''Privacy''': Be aware that the server can log all traffic passing through it. If privacy is critical, configure the server to avoid logging or encrypt logs.

When using a proxy server, consider the following: - '''Anonymity''': Your traffic is routed through the proxy, masking your IP address but not necessarily encrypting your data. - '''Trust''': Ensure you trust the proxy server you are using, as it can potentially log your traffic and access sensitive information.

<li><p>'''Install Homebrew''' (if not already installed):</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"</syntaxhighlight></li>

<li><p>'''Install Tor''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">brew install tor</syntaxhighlight></li>

<li><p>'''Install Privoxy''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">brew install privoxy</syntaxhighlight></li></ol>

<li><p>'''Open Privoxy’s Configuration File''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">nano /opt/homebrew/etc/privoxy/config</syntaxhighlight></li>

<li><p>'''Add Tor Configuration''': Add the following line to the configuration file:</p>

<pre>forward-socks5t / 127.0.0.1:9050 .</pre></li>

<li><p>'''Save and Exit''':</p>

<li>Press <code>CTRL + X</code> to exit.</li>

<li>Press <code>Y</code> to confirm saving the changes.</li>

<li>Press <code>Enter</code> to save the file.</li></ul>

<li><p>'''Start Privoxy''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">brew services start privoxy</syntaxhighlight></li></ol>

= '''Open System Preferences''': =

#'' Go to <code>System Preferences</code> &gt; <code>Network</code>.

= '''Select the Network Interface''': =

#'' Select the network interface you are using (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

= '''Configure Proxies''': =

#'' Click on <code>Advanced</code>.

#'' Go to the <code>Proxies</code> tab.

#'' Check <code>Web Proxy (HTTP)</code> and <code>Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)</code>.

#'' Set both to <code>127.0.0.1</code> and <code>8118</code> (Privoxy’s default port).

= '''Apply Changes''': =

#'' Click <code>OK</code> and <code>Apply</code>.

<li><p>'''Check IP Address''': Open a web browser and navigate to <code>http://check.torproject.org</code>. This page should confirm that your traffic is being routed through the Tor network.</p></li>

<li><p>'''Test Connection''': Use <code>curl</code> to verify the connection:</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">curl -L --proxy http://127.0.0.1:8118 http://check.torproject.org</syntaxhighlight></li></ol>

<li><p>'''Update Package List''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">sudo apt update</syntaxhighlight></li>

<li><p>'''Install Tor''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">sudo apt install tor</syntaxhighlight></li>

<li><p>'''Install Privoxy''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">sudo apt install privoxy</syntaxhighlight></li></ol>

<li><p>'''Open Privoxy’s Configuration File''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">sudo nano /etc/privoxy/config</syntaxhighlight></li>

<li><p>'''Add Tor Configuration''': Add the following line to the configuration file:</p>

<pre>forward-socks5t / 127.0.0.1:9050 .</pre></li>

<li><p>'''Save and Exit''':</p>

<li>Press <code>CTRL + X</code> to exit.</li>

<li>Press <code>Y</code> to confirm saving the changes.</li>

<li>Press <code>Enter</code> to save the file.</li></ul>

<li><p>'''Start Privoxy''':</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">sudo systemctl start privoxy

sudo systemctl enable privoxy</syntaxhighlight></li></ol>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<span id="step-4-set-up-port-forwarding"></span>

<li><p>'''Configure Your Router''': Ensure your router forwards external traffic on port <code>8118</code> to your macOS machine’s IP address. You can find your IP address using:</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">PUBLIC_IP=$(curl -s ifconfig.me)

echo $PUBLIC_IP</syntaxhighlight></li></ol>

<span id="step-5-secure-remote-access-with-ssh-tunneling"></span>

<li><p>'''Create SSH Tunnel Script''': Create a script to automate the creation of an SSH tunnel. Replace <code>your_macOS_username</code> with your actual macOS username.</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">PUBLIC_IP=$(curl -s ifconfig.me)

chmod +x connect_proxy.sh</syntaxhighlight></li>

 

 

 

 

 

<pre>listen-address  0.0.0.0:8118</pre></li>

</li></ol>

<span id="step-3-start-privoxy-3"></span>

 

 

 

 

<li><p>'''Configure Remote Device to Use Proxy''': On your remote device, configure your web browser or system settings to use the proxy:</p>

<li>HTTP Proxy: <code>127.0.0.1</code></li>

<li>Port: <code>8118</code></li></ul>

</li></ol>

<li><p>'''Run the SSH Tunnel Script''': On your macOS remote machine, run the script created previously to establish an SSH tunnel:</p>

<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">./connect_proxy.sh</syntaxhighlight></li></ol>

= '''Open System Preferences''': =

#'' Go to <code>System Preferences</code> &gt; <code>Network</code>.

= '''Select the Network Interface''': =

#'' Select the network interface you are using (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

= '''Configure Proxies''': =

#'' Click on <code>Advanced</code>.

#'' Go to the <code>Proxies</code> tab.

#'' Check <code>Web Proxy (HTTP)</code> and <code>Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)</code>.

#'' Set both to <code>127.0.0.1</code> and <code>8118</code>.

= '''Apply Changes''': =

#'' Click <code>OK</code> and <code>Apply</code>.

= '''Install PuTTY''' (if not already installed): =

#'' Download and install PuTTY from [https://www.putty.org/ here].

= '''Configure SSH Tunnel''': =

#'' Open PuTTY.

#'' Enter the hostname or IP address of your proxy server.

#'' In the left-hand menu, go to <code>Connection &gt; SSH &gt; Tunnels</code>.

#'' Add a new forwarded port:

#''' Source port: <code>8118</code>

#''' Destination: <code>localhost:8118</code>

#'' Click <code>Add</code>.

#'' Go back to the <code>Session</code> category.

#'' Click <code>Open</code> to start the SSH session.

= '''Open Internet Options''': =

#'' Go to <code>Control Panel</code> &gt; <code>Internet Options</code>.

= '''Configure LAN Settings''': =

#'' Go to the <code>Connections</code> tab and click on <code>LAN settings</code>.

#'' Check <code>Use a proxy server for your LAN</code>.

#'' Enter <code>127.0.0.1</code> for the address and <code>8118</code> for the port.

#'' Click <code>OK</code> to apply the changes.

= '''Install an SSH Client''': =

#'' Install an SSH client like Termius from the App Store.

= '''Configure SSH Tunnel''': =

#'' Open Termius.

#'' Add a new host with the IP address of your proxy server.

#'' Go to the <code>Port Forwarding</code> section and add a new rule:

#''' Local port: <code>8118</code>

#''' Remote host: <code>localhost</code>

#*'' Remote port: <code>8118</code>

#'' Connect to the host to start the tunnel.

= '''Configure Wi-Fi Proxy''': =

#'' Go to <code>Settings</code> &gt; <code>Wi-Fi</code>.

#'' Tap the information icon (i) next to your Wi-Fi network.

#'' Scroll down to <code>HTTP Proxy</code> and select <code>Manual</code>.

#'' Enter <code>127.0.0.1</code> for the Server and <code>8118</code> for the Port.

#'' Save the settings.

= '''Install an SSH Client''': =

#'' Install an SSH client like ConnectBot from the Google Play Store.

= '''Configure SSH Tunnel''': =

#'' Open ConnectBot.

#'' Add a new host with the IP address of your proxy server.

#'' Go to the port forwarding section and add a new rule:

#''' Type: Local

#''' Source port: <code>8118</code>

#'''' Destination: <code>localhost:8118</code>

#'' Connect to the host to start the tunnel.

= '''Configure Wi-Fi Proxy''': =

#'' Go to <code>Settings</code> &gt; <code>Network &amp; Internet</code> &gt; <code>Wi-Fi</code>.

#'' Long-press your connected Wi-Fi network and select <code>Modify network</code>.

#'' Scroll down and select <code>Advanced options</code>.

#'' Set <code>Proxy</code> to <code>Manual</code>.

#'' Enter <code>127.0.0.1</code> for the Hostname and <code>8118</code> for the Port.

#'' Save the settings.