X-Git-Url: http://www.privoxy.org/gitweb/?a=blobdiff_plain;f=doc%2Fsource%2Ffaq.sgml;h=b19a2be9c4e6dd8b0a434cc2dee3d47f709987aa;hb=0981554c94fbb1ef7e71b00a42e76354b8a9e86b;hp=ec97e00a887e31de3b134f8bbc5b997564420921;hpb=350bcfb6c54e53181733efe4eb092b61ab3a3351;p=privoxy.git diff --git a/doc/source/faq.sgml b/doc/source/faq.sgml index ec97e00a..b19a2be9 100644 --- a/doc/source/faq.sgml +++ b/doc/source/faq.sgml @@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ This file belongs into ijbswa.sourceforge.net:/home/groups/i/ij/ijbswa/htdocs/ - $Id: faq.sgml,v 1.16 2002/03/17 21:32:56 hal9 Exp $ + $Id: faq.sgml,v 1.22 2002/03/24 11:51:00 swa Exp $ Written by and Copyright (C) 2001 the SourceForge - IJBSWA team. http://ijbswa.sourceforge.net + PRIVOXY team. http://ijbswa.sourceforge.net Based on the Internet Junkbuster originally written by and Copyright (C) 1997 Anonymous Coders and @@ -18,14 +18,14 @@
-Junkbuster Frequently Asked Questions +Privoxy Frequently Asked Questions -$Id: faq.sgml,v 1.16 2002/03/17 21:32:56 hal9 Exp $ +$Id: faq.sgml,v 1.22 2002/03/24 11:51:00 swa Exp $ - By: Junkbuster Developers + By: Privoxy Developers @@ -33,18 +33,20 @@ The FAQ document gives users and developers alike answers to frequently asked -questions about the Internet Junkbuster. Internet -Junkbuster is a web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities -for protecting privacy, filtering web page content, managing cookies, -controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups and other obnoxious -Internet Junk. Junkbuster has a very flexible configuration and can be -customized to suit individual needs and tastes. Internet -Junkbuster has application for both stand-alone systems and -multi-user networks. +questions about +Privoxy. Privoxy is a web +proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting privacy, filtering +web page content, managing cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, +banners, pop-ups and other obnoxious Internet +Junk. Privoxy has a very flexible configuration and +can be customized to suit individual needs and +tastes. Privoxy has application for both stand-alone +systems and multi-user networks. You can find the latest version of the document at http://ijbswa.sourceforge.net/faq/. -Please see the Contact section in the user-manual if you want to contact the developers. +Please see the Contact section in the +user-manual if you want to contact the developers. @@ -71,18 +73,18 @@ Please see the Contact section in the user-manual if you want to contact the dev General Information -What is this new version of <application>Junkbuster</application>? +What is this new version of <application>Privoxy</application>? The original Internet Junkbuster (tm) is a coyrighted product of Junkbusters Corporation. Development of this effort stopped some time ago as of - version 2.0.2. Stefan Walherr started the ijbswa project on Sourceforge to rekindle development. Other developers subsequently joined with Stefan, and have since added many new features, refinements and enhancements. - The new Junkbuster started with the same + The new Privoxy started with the same code base, but has changed significantly at this point. @@ -90,7 +92,7 @@ Please see the Contact section in the user-manual if you want to contact the dev How does it differ from the old <application>Junkbuster?</application> - All the old features remain. The new Junkbuster + All the old features remain. The new Privoxy still blocks ads and banners, still manages cookies, and still helps protect your privacy. But, these are all enhanced, and many new features have been added, all in the same vein. @@ -99,7 +101,7 @@ Please see the Contact section in the user-manual if you want to contact the dev The configuration has changed significantly as well. This is something that users will notice right off the bat. The blocklist file does not exist any more. This is replaced by actions files, such - as ijb.actions. This is where most of the per site + as default.actions. This is where most of the per site configuration is now. @@ -212,36 +214,41 @@ Please see the Contact section in the user-manual if you want to contact the dev What is a <quote>proxy</quote>? How does -<application>Junkbuster</application> work? +Privoxy work? - When you connect to a web site with Junkbuster, + When you connect to a web site with Privoxy, you are really connecting to your locally running version of - Junkbuster. Junkbuster + Privoxy. Privoxy intercepts your requests for the web page, and relays that to the real web site. The web site sends the HTTP data stream - back to Junkbuster, where - Junkbuster can work its magic before it + back to Privoxy, where + Privoxy can work its magic before it relays this data back to your web browser. - - Since Junkbuster sits between you and the + Since Privoxy sits between you and the WWW, it is in a position to intercept and completely manage all web traffic and HTTP content before it gets to your browser. - Junkbuster uses various programming methods to do + Privoxy uses various programming methods to do this, all of which is under your control via the various configuration files and options. + + + There are many kinds of proxies. Privoxy best + fits the filtering proxy category. + -My browser does the same things as -Junkbuster. Why should I use Junkbuster at all? +My browser does the same things as +<application>Privoxy</application>. Why should I use +<application>Privoxy</application> at all? Modern browsers do indeed have some of the same - functionality as Junkbuster. Maybe this is - adequate for you. But Junkbuster is much more + functionality as Privoxy. Maybe this is + adequate for you. But Privoxy is much more verstatile and powerful, and can do a number of things that browsers just can't. @@ -258,7 +265,7 @@ Junkbuster. Why should I use Junkbuster at all? Is there is a license or fee? What about a warranty? Registration? - Junkbuster is licensed under the + Privoxy is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). It is free to use, copy, modify or distribute as you wish under the terms of this license. See There is no warranty of any kind, expressed, implied or otherwise. That is something that would cost real money ;-) There is no registration either. - Junkbuster really is free + Privoxy really is free in every respect! +I would like to help you, what do I do? + +Money Money Money + + We, of course, welcome donations and use the money for domain registering, + regular world-wide get-togethers (hahaha). Anyway, we'll soon describe the + process how to donate money to the team. + + + +You want to work with us? + + Well, helping the team is always a good idea. We welcome new developers, + RPM gurus or documentation makers. Simply get an account on sourceforge.net + and mail your id to the developer mailing list. Then read the + section Quickstart in the developers manual. + + +Once we have added you to the team, you'll have write access to the CVS +repository, and together we'll find a suitable task for you. + + + + + @@ -282,7 +314,7 @@ warranty? Registration? Installation Can I install the new - <application>Junkbuster</application> over the old one? + Privoxy over the old one? We recommend you uninstall the old Junkbuster first to minimize conflicts and confusion. You may want to @@ -290,18 +322,20 @@ warranty? Registration? is substantially changed. - See the user-manual for platform specific installation instructions. - [FIXME: This is meant for after the name change for 3.0!] + See the user-manual for + platform specific installation instructions. [FIXME: This is meant for after + the name change for 3.0!] -I just installed Junkbuster. Is there anything +<title id="firststep">I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>. Is there anything special I have to do now? - All browsers must be told to use Junkbuster + All browsers must be told to use Privoxy as a proxy by specifying the correct proxy address and port number in the appropriate configuration area for the browser. See below. @@ -310,14 +344,13 @@ special I have to do now? -What is the proxy address of Junkbuster? +What is the proxy address of <application>Privoxy</application>? - If you set up the Junkbuster to run on + If you set up the Privoxy to run on the computer you browse from (rather than your ISP's server or some networked computer on a LAN), the proxy will be on localhost (which is the special name used by every computer on the Internet to refer - to itself) and the port will be 8118 (unless you have told the Internet - Junkbuster to run on a different port with the + to itself) and the port will be 8118 (unless you have Privoxy to run on a different port with the listen-address config option). @@ -325,38 +358,38 @@ special I have to do now? the word localhost in the boxes next to HTTP and Secure (HTTPS) and then the number 8118 for port. This tells your browser to send all web - requests to Junkbuster instead of directly to the + requests to Privoxy instead of directly to the Interenet. - Junkbuster can also be used to proxy for + Privoxy can also be used to proxy for a Local Area Network. In this case, your would enter either the IP - address of the LAN host where Junkbuster + address of the LAN host where Privoxy is running, or the equivalent hostname. Port assignment would be same as above. - Junkbuster does not currently handle + Privoxy does not currently handle protocols such as FTP, SMTP, IM, IRC, ICQ, or other Internet protocols. -I just installed Junkbuster, and nothing is happening. +<title id="nothing">I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>, and nothing is happening. All the ads are there. What's wrong? - Did you configure your browser to use Junkbuster + Did you configure your browser to use Privoxy as a proxy? It does not sound like it. See above. You might also try flushing the browser's caches to force a full re-reading of pages. You can verify - that Junkbuster is running, and your browser + that Privoxy is running, and your browser is correctly configured by entering the special URL: http://i.j.b/. This should give you - a banner that says This is the Internet JUNKBUSTER and - access to Junkbuster's internal configuration. + a banner that says This is Privoxy and + access to Privoxy's internal configuration. If you see this, then you are good to go. If not, the browser or - Junkbuster are not set up correctly. + Privoxy are not set up correctly. @@ -385,7 +418,7 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? actions files are where various actions that - Junkbuster might take, are configured. + Privoxy might take, are configured. Typically, you would define a set of default actions that apply to all URLs, then add exceptions to these defaults. @@ -401,7 +434,7 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? - Junkbuster comes with several default + Privoxy comes with several default actions files, with varying degrees of filtering and blocking, as starting points for your own configuration (see below). @@ -409,13 +442,23 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? + +The <quote>actions</quote>concept confuses me. Please list +some of these <quote>actions</quote>. + + These are all explained in the + user-manual. + Please refer to that. + + + How are actions files configured? What is the easiest way to do this? - The easiest way to do this, is to access Junkbuster + The easiest way to do this, is to access Privoxy with your web browser at http://i.j.b/, and then select "Edit the actions list" @@ -424,8 +467,11 @@ way to do this? - Please see the user-manual for a detailed explanation of these and other - configuration files, and their various options and syntax. + Please see the + user-manual for a + detailed explanation of these and other configuration files, and their + various options and syntax. @@ -453,11 +499,11 @@ FIXME: Commenting these out until we have some data there. HB 03/17/02. --> What are the differences between -ijb-intermediate.action, ijb-basic.action, etc.? +intermediate.action, basic.action, etc.? -Configuring the Internet Junkbuster is not easy. To help you get started, we -provide you with three different default configurations. The following table -shows you, which features are enabled in each configuration. +Configuring Privoxy is not easy. To help you get +started, we provide you with three different default configurations. The +following table shows you, which features are enabled in each configuration. Default Configurations @@ -470,10 +516,10 @@ shows you, which features are enabled in each configuration. Feature - ijb.action - ijb-basic.action - ijb-intermediate.action - ijb-advanced.action + default.action + basic.action + intermediate.action + advanced.action @@ -603,33 +649,34 @@ shows you, which features are enabled in each configuration. browser? Does that not raise security issues? What I don't understand, is how I can browser edit the config file as a -regular user, while the whole /etc/junkbuster hierarchy belongs to the user -"junkbuster", with only 644 perms. +regular user, while the whole /etc/privoxy hierarchy belongs to the user +"privoxy", with only 644 perms. -When you use the browser-based editor, JunkBuster itself is writing to the -config files. Because JunkBuster is running as the user "junkbuster", it can +When you use the browser-based editor, Privoxy +itself is writing to the config files. Because +Privoxy is running as the user "privoxy", it can update the config files. If you don't like this, setting "enable-edit-actions 0" in the config file will disable the browser-based editor. If you're that paranoid, you should also consider setting "enable-remote-toggle 0" to prevent browser-based -enabling/disabling of JunkBuster. +enabling/disabling of Privoxy. -Note that normally only local users can connect to JunkBuster, so this is not +Note that normally only local users can connect to Privoxy, so this is not (normally) a security problem. -How can I set up Junkbuster to act as a proxy for my +<title id="lanconfig">How can I set up <application>Privoxy</application> to act as a proxy for my LAN? - By default, Junkbuster only responds to requests + By default, Privoxy only responds to requests from localhost. To have it act as a server for a network, this needs to be - changed in the main config file where the Junkbuster + changed in the main config file where the Privoxy configuration is located. In that file is a listen-address option. It may be commented out with a # symbol. Make sure it is uncommented, and assign it the address of the LAN gateway interface, @@ -643,9 +690,63 @@ Note that normally only local users can connect to JunkBuster, so this is not - Save the file, and restart Junkbuster. Configure + Save the file, and restart Privoxy. Configure all browsers on the network then to use this address and port number. + + + + + +Instead of ads, now I get a Privoxy logo [or +checkerboard]. I don't want to see anything. + + This is a configuration option for images that + Privoxy is stopping. You have the choice of the + Privoxy logo, a checkerboard pattern (this + scales better), a transparent 1x1 GIF image, or a custom URL or your choice. + + + + If you want to see nothing, then change the +image-blocker + action to +image-blocker{blank}. This can be done from the + Edit Actions List selection at http://i.j.b/. Or by hand editing the appropriate + actions file. This will only effect what is defined as images + though. + + + + + + + +Why would anybody want to see the logo or checkerboard? + + This can be helpful for troubleshooting problems. It might also be good + for anyone new to Privoxy so that they can + see if their favorite pages are displaying correctly, and + Privoxy is not inadvertantly removing something + important. + + + + + +I see large red banners on some pages that say +<quote>Blocked</quote>. How do I get rid of this? + + These are URLs that match something in one of + Privoxy's block actions (+block). It is meant + to be a warning so that you know something has been blocked and an easy way + for you to see why. These are handled differently than what has been defined + as images (e.g. ad banners). If you want them to be treated + as if they were images, so that they can be invisible, then move the + offending URL from the +block section to the + +imageblock section of your actions file. Alternately, you + could modify the block HTML template that + is used by Privoxy to display this, and make it + something more to your liking. @@ -656,11 +757,33 @@ Note that normally only local users can connect to JunkBuster, so this is not Misc + +How much does <application>Privoxy</application> slow my browsing down? This +has to add extra time to browsing. + + It should not slow you down any in real terms, and may actually help + speed things up since ads, banners and other junk are not being displayed. + The actual processing time required by Privoxy + itself for each page, is relatively small in the overall scheme of things, + and happens very quickly. This is typically more than offset by time saved + not downloading and rendering ad images. + + + + Filtering via the filterfile + mechanism may cause a perceived slowdown, since the entire page is buffered + before displaying. See below. + + + + + + I noticed considerable -delays in page requests compared to the old IJB. What's wrong? +delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong? Using the default filtering configuration, I noticed considerable delays in -page requests compared to the old IJB. Loading pages with large contents +page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. Loading pages with large contents seemed to take forever, then suddenly delivering all the content at once. @@ -672,21 +795,21 @@ user a feeling of "it works". To modify the content of a page (i.e. make frames resizeable again, etc.) and -not just replace ads, the Internet Junkbuster needs to download the entire -page first, do its content magic and then send the page to the browser. +not just replace ads, Privoxy needs to download the +entire page first, do its content magic and then send the page to the browser. What is the "http://i.j.b/"? -Since JunkBuster sits between your web browser and the Internet, it can be +Since Privoxy sits between your web browser and the Internet, it can be programmed to handle certain pages specially. -With recent versions of JunkBuster (version 2.9.x), you can get some -information about JunkBuster and change some settings by going to +With recent versions of Privoxy (version 2.9.x), you can get some +information about Privoxy and change some settings by going to http://i.j.b/ or, equivalently, http://ijbswa.sourceforge.net/config/ (Note that i.j.b is far easier to type but may not work in some configurations). @@ -694,13 +817,13 @@ configurations). These pages are *not* forwarded to a server on the internet - instead they are -handled by a special web server which is built in to JunkBuster. +handled by a special web server which is built in to Privoxy. -If you are not running JunkBuster, then http://i.j.b/ will fail, and +If you are not running Privoxy, then http://i.j.b/ will fail, and http://ijbswa.sourceforge.net/config/ will return a web page telling you -you're not running JunkBuster. +you're not running Privoxy. @@ -710,6 +833,8 @@ should really consider upgrading to 2.9.x). + Do you still maintain the blocklists? @@ -752,7 +868,7 @@ should really consider upgrading to 2.9.x). How can I hide my IP address? - You cannot hide your IP address with Junkbuster or any other software, since + You cannot hide your IP address with Privoxy or any other software, since the server needs to know your IP address to send the answer to you. @@ -776,28 +892,28 @@ more through Google. - + - + -Can Junkbuster guarantee I am anonymous? +Can <application>Privoxy</application> guarantee I am anonymous? No. Your chances of remaining anonymous are greatly improved, but unless you are an expert on Internet security it would be safest to assume that everything you do on the Web can be traced back to you. - Junkbuster can remove various information about you, + Privoxy can remove various information about you, and allows you more freedom to decide which sites you can trust. But it's still possible that web sites can find out who you are. Here's one way this can happen. A few browsers disclose the user's email address in certain situations, such - as when transferring a file by FTP. Junkbuster + as when transferring a file by FTP. Privoxy does not filter FTP. If you need this feature, or are concerned about the mail handler of your browser disclosing your email address, you might consider products such as NSClean. @@ -854,80 +970,114 @@ being altered? -Can Junkbuster act as a <quote>caching</quote> proxy to +<title id="caching">Can <application>Privoxy</application> act as a <quote>caching</quote> proxy to speed up web browsing? No, it does not have this ability at all. You want something like Squid for this. And, yes, - before you ask, Junkbuster can co-exist + before you ask, Privoxy can co-exist with other kinds of proxies like Squid. + +What about as a firewall? Can <application>Privoxy</application> protect me? + + Not in the way you mean, or in the way a true firewall can, or a proxy that + has this specific capability. Privoxy can help + protect your privacy, but not really protect you from intrusion attempts. + + + - This is not a font problem. The logo is an image that is created by - Junkbuster on the fly. So as to not waste + Privoxy on the fly. So as to not waste memory, the image is rather small. The blockiness comes when the image is scaled to fill a largish area. There is not much to be done about this, other than to use one of the other - imageblocker directives: pattern, + imageblock directives: pattern, blank, or a URL of your chosing. - I have large empty spaces now where ads used to be. -Why does Junkbuster leave these large gaps? +Why does Privoxy leave these large gaps? It would be easy enough to just eliminate this space altogether, rather than fill it with blank space. But, this would create problems with many pages that use the overall size of the ad to help organize the page layout and position the various components of the page where they were intended to be. It is best left this way. + + + + +How can <application>Privoxy</application> filter Secure (HTTPS) URLs? + + This is a limitation since HTTPS transactions are encrypted SSL sessions + between your browser and the secure site, and are meant to be reliably + secure and private. This means that all cookies and HTTP + header information are also encrypted from the time they leave your browser, + to the site, and vice versa. Privoxy does not + try to unencrypt this information, so it just passes through as is. + Privoxy can still catch images and ads that + are embedded in the SSL stream though. + -Junkbuster runs as a <quote>server</quote>. How +<title id="secure"><application>Privoxy</application> runs as a <quote>server</quote>. How secure is it? Do I need to take any special precautions? There are no known exploits that might effect - Junkbuster. On Unix-like systems, - Junkbuster can run as a non-privileged + Privoxy. On Unix-like systems, + Privoxy can run as a non-privileged user, which is how we recommend it be run. Also, by default - Junkbuster only listens to requests + Privoxy only listens to requests from localhost. It is not itself directly exposed to the Internet in this configuration. If you want to have - Junkbuster serve as a LAN proxy, this will have to + Privoxy serve as a LAN proxy, this will have to be opened up to allow for LAN requests. In this case, we'd recommend you specify only the LAN gateway address, e.g. 192.168.1.1 in the main - Junkbuster config file. All LAN hosts can then use + Privoxy config file. All LAN hosts can then use this as their proxy address in the browser proxy configuration. In this way, - Junkbuster will not listen on any external ports. + Privoxy will not listen on any external ports. Of course, a firewall is always good too. Better safe than sorry. - - @@ -940,19 +1090,19 @@ place of ads. How can I get rid of this? I don't want to see anything.I just upgraded and am getting <quote>connection refused</quote> with every web page? - Either Junkbuster is not running, or your + Either Privoxy is not running, or your browser is configured for a different port than what - Junkbuster is using. + Privoxy is using. - The old Junkbuster used port 8000 by + The old Privoxy used port 8000 by default. This has been changed to port 8118 now, due to a conflict with NAS (Network Audio Service), which uses port 8000. If you haven't, you need to change your browser to the new port number, or alternately - change Junkbuster's listen-address + change Privoxy's listen-address setting in the config file used to start - Junkbuster. + Privoxy. @@ -963,8 +1113,9 @@ still getting through. How? If the ad had been displayed before you added its URL, it will probably be held in the browser's cache for some time, so it will be displayed without - the need for any request to the server. The best thing to do is try flusing - the browser's caches. And then try again. + the need for any request to the server, and Privoxy + will not be in the picture. The best thing to do is try flusing the browser's + caches. And then try again. @@ -972,58 +1123,67 @@ still getting through. How? applied. Try pasting the full URL of the offending ad into http://ijbswa.sourceforge.net/config/show-url-info and see if any actions match your new rule. - -One of my favorite sites does not work with Junkbuster. +<title id="badsite">One of my favorite sites does not work with <application>Privoxy</application>. What can I do? - First verify that it is indeed a Junkbuster problem, - by disabling Junkbuster filtering and blocking. + First verify that it is indeed a Privoxy problem, + by disabling Privoxy filtering and blocking. Go to http://i.j.b/ and click on - Toggle Junkbuster On or Off, then disable it. Now try that + Toggle Privoxy On or Off, then disable it. Now try that page again. If still a problem, go to Show which actions apply to a URL and - why from http://i.j.b/ and - paste the full URL of the page in question into the prompt. See which - actions are being applied to the URL. Now, armed with this information, - go to Edit the actions list. Here you should see various - sections that have various Junkbuster features disabled - for specific sites. Disabled actions will have a - - (minus sign) in front of them. Add your problem page - URL to one of these sections that looks like it is disabling the feature that - is causing the problem. Re-try the page. There might be some trial and error - involved. + why from http://i.j.b/ and paste + the full URL of the page in question into the prompt. See which actions are + being applied to the URL. Now, armed with this information, go to Edit + the actions list. Here you should see various sections that have + various Privoxy features disabled for specific + sites. Disabled actions will have a - (minus + sign) in front of them. Add your problem page URL to one of these sections + that looks like it is disabling the feature that is causing the + problem. Re-try the page. There might be some trial and error involved. This + is discussed in a little more detail in the user-manual + appendix. Alternately, if you are comfortable with a text editor, you can accomplish the same thing by editing the appropriate actions file. - + +What time is it? + + Time for you to go! + + + +Contact the developers Please see the user manual for information on how to contact the developers. @@ -1067,6 +1227,27 @@ What can I do? Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA. $Log: faq.sgml,v $ +Revision 1.22 2002/03/24 11:51:00 swa +name change. changed filenames. + +Revision 1.21 2002/03/24 11:01:06 swa +name change + +Revision 1.20 2002/03/23 15:13:11 swa +renamed every reference to the old name with foobar. +fixed "application foobar application" tag, fixed +"the foobar" with "foobar". left junkbustser in cvs +comments and remarks to history untouched. + +Revision 1.19 2002/03/21 17:01:54 hal9 +Some touch ups. + +Revision 1.18 2002/03/18 16:40:31 hal9 +More additions. + +Revision 1.17 2002/03/18 03:53:53 hal9 +Some new additions. + Revision 1.16 2002/03/17 21:32:56 hal9 A few more additions.