Anyone that is interested in security, privacy, or in
- finer-grained control over their web and Internet experience.
- Everyone is encouraged to try 1.1. Who should give Privoxy.
+> a try? Anyone who is interested in security, privacy, or in
+ finer-grained control over their web and Internet experience.
Privoxy is certainly a good choice, especially for those who want more
- control and security. Those that have the ability to fine-tune their installation
- will benefit the most. One of One of Privoxy's
- strength's is that it is highly configurable giving you the ability to
+ strengths is that it is highly configurable giving you the ability to
completely personalize your installation. Being familiar with, or at least
having an interest in learning about HTML,
- IP (Internet
- Protocol), and
Privoxy's
A A web proxy - is a service, based on a software such as - Privoxy, that clients (i.e. browsers) can use - instead of connecting directly to web servers on the Internet. The - clients then ask the proxy to fetch the objects they need (web pages, - images, movies etc) on their behalf, and when the proxy has done so, it - hands the results back to the client. It is a , that clients + (i.e. browsers) can use instead of connecting to web servers directly. + The clients then ask the proxy to request objects (web pages, images, movies etc) + on their behalf and to forward the data to the clients. + It is a "go-between". See - the . For details, see + Wikipedia proxy - definition for more. +>Wikipedia's proxy definition.
There are many reasons to use web proxies, such as security (firewalling), @@ -213,9 +215,9 @@ TARGET="_top" > Privoxy is a proxy that is primarily focused on privacy - protection, ad and junk elimination and freeing the user from restrictions placed on his - activities. Sitting between your browser(s) and the Internet, +> is a proxy that is primarily focused on + privacy enhancement, ad and junk elimination and freeing the user from + restrictions placed on his activities. Sitting between your browser(s) and the Internet, it is in a perfect position to filter outbound personal information that your browser is leaking, as well as inbound junk. It uses a variety of techniques to do this, all of which are under your complete control via the various configuration @@ -229,8 +231,8 @@ CLASS="SECT2" CLASS="SECT2" >1.4. Does Privoxy do anything more than ad blocking?1.4. Does Privoxy do anything more than ad blocking?
Yes, ad blocking is but one possible use. There are many, many ways 1.5. What is this new version of
"Junkbuster"?? A long time ago, there was the
Though outdated, 1.7. How does Privoxy differ
-from the old Junkbuster? Junkbuster left off. All the old features remain.
+> left off.
The new Privoxycookies The configuration has changed significantly as well. This is something that
- users will notice right off the bat if upgrading from
- Junkbuster 2.0.x. The "blocklist"
- "cookielist", "imagelist" and much more has been
- combined into the "actions" files, with a completely different
- syntax. See the What's New
- page for the latest updates. Privoxy Can be run as an "intercepting" proxy, which obviates the need to
+ configure browsers individually.
+ Sophisticated actions and filters for manipulating both server and client
+ headers.
+ Can be chained with other proxies.
+ Integrated browser based configuration and control utility at "web-bugs"1.6. Why "Privoxy"? Why change the name from
-Junkbuster at all?
, JavaScript and HTML annoyances,
- pop-up windows, header manipulation, etc.)
+ pop-up windows, etc.)
HTTP/1.1 compliant (but not all optional 1.1 features are supported). -
Support for Perl Compatible Regular Expressions in the configuration files, and - generally a more sophisticated and flexible configuration syntax over - previous versions. + a more sophisticated and flexible configuration syntax.
Many smaller new features added, limitations and bugs removed, and security holes fixed. +> Many smaller new features added, limitations and bugs removed.
Actually, it's a black art ;-) And yes, it is always possible to have a broad
rule accidentally block or change something by mistake. You will almost surely
@@ -663,21 +649,22 @@ CLASS="SECT2"
> No, not really. The default installation should give you a good starting
+> That depends on your expectations.
+ The default installation should give you a good starting
point, and block most ads and unwanted content. Many of
- the more advanced features are off by default, and would require you to
- activate them. 1.9. Can Privoxy make mistakes?
-This does not sound very scientific.
1.10. Will I have to configure Privoxy
- before I can use it?
You do have to set up your browser to use
Privoxy's
- configuration to more closely match your individual situation. And we would
+ configuration to more closely match your individual situation. And we
encourage you to do this. This is where the real power of
1.11. Can Privoxy run as a server on a network?1.11. Can Privoxy run as a server on a network?
Yes, 1.12. My browser does the same things as
-Privoxy. Why should I use Privoxy at all? Modern browsers do indeed have Privoxy is much more
- versatile and powerful, and can do a number of things that browsers just can't.
+> is very
+ versatile and powerful, and can probably do a number of things
+ your browser just can't.
In addition, a proxy is good choice if you use multiple browsers, or
@@ -760,6 +748,19 @@ CLASS="APPLICATION"
have to maintain a similar configuration for possibly many browsers or
users.
Note, however, that it's recommended to leverage both your browser's
+ and Privoxy's privacy enhancing features
+ at the same time. While your browser probably lacks some features
+ Privoxy offers, it should also be able to do some things more
+ reliable, for example restricting and suppressing JavaScript.
+
The most important reason is because you have access to
, and you can control everything. You can
check every line of every configuration file yourself. You can check every
last bit of source code should you desire. And even if you can't read code,
- there should be some comfort in knowing that thousands of other people can,
- and do read it. You can build the software from scratch, if you want, so
- that you know the executable is clean, and that it is
+ there should be some comfort in knowing that other people can,
+ and do read it. You can build the software from scratch, if you want,
+ so that you know the executable is clean, and that it is
1.14. Is there is a license or fee? What about a
-warranty? Registration? Privoxy is licensed under the is free software and licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL)GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.
It is free to use, copy, modify or distribute as you wish under the terms of this
license. Please see the
No. No, at least not reliably enough to trust it. Privoxy cannot remove anything. It is not a removal tool. It is a - preventative. is not designed to be + a malware removal tool and the default configuration doesn't even try to + filter out any malware.
Privoxy can help prevent contact from sites that use such +> could help prevent contact from (known) sites that use such tactics with appropriate configuration rules, and thus could conceivably - prevent contamination from such sites.
Privoxy in conjunction with other ad-blocking products, and this could conceivably cause undesirable results. - It would be better to choose one software or the other and work a little to + It might be better to choose one software or the other and work a little to tweak its configuration to your liking.
Note that this is an advice specific to ad blocking.
Well, we Developer's Manual, at least the pertinent sections.
You can also start helping out without SourceForge.net account, + simply by showing up on the mailing list, helping out other users, + providing general feedback or reporting problems you noticed. +