General Information

X-Git-Url: http://www.privoxy.org/gitweb/?p=privoxy.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=doc%2Fsource%2Ffaq.sgml;h=294349dcafc3a8c5b428268acf64fd72283ce171;hp=1be6014a2cb9929d7d493404d667f5be9ed0acd5;hb=6cb41778d4fe473b3aa421acbee208a99f2df27b;hpb=ba716001594e02b151c058333bee05e81c84e779 diff --git a/doc/source/faq.sgml b/doc/source/faq.sgml index 1be6014a..294349dc 100644 --- a/doc/source/faq.sgml +++ b/doc/source/faq.sgml @@ -8,14 +8,16 @@ - - + + + +Privoxy"> ]> - &p-intro; + What is Privoxy? &p-intro; @@ -147,8 +149,72 @@ Hal. General Information +Who should use Privoxy? + + Anyone that is interested in security, privacy, or in + finer-grained control over their web and Internet experience. + Everyone is encouraged to try &my-app;. + + + +Is Privoxy the best choice for +me? + + &my-app; 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 Privoxy's + strength's 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 HTTP and other networking + protocols, HTML, + IP (Internet + Protocol), and + Regular + Expressions + will be a big plus and will help you get the most out + of &my-app;. + + + Much of Privoxy's configuration can be done + with a Web browser. + But there are areas where configuration is done using a + text editor + to edit configuration files. + + + +What is a <quote>proxy</quote>? How does +Privoxy work? + + 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 go-between. See + the Wikipedia proxy + definition for more. + + + There are many reasons to use web proxies, such as security (firewalling), + efficiency (caching) and others, and there are any number of proxies + to accommodate those needs. + + + 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, + 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 + files and options. + + -What is this new version of <application>Junkbuster</application>? +What is this new version of +<quote><citetitle>Junkbuster</citetitle></quote>? &history; @@ -159,7 +225,7 @@ Hal. Why <quote>Privoxy</quote>? Why change the name from -<application>Junkbuster</application> at all? +Junkbuster at all? Junkbusters Corporation continues to offer their original version of the Internet @@ -190,14 +256,16 @@ Hal. -How does <application>Privoxy</application> differ -from the old <application>Junkbuster?</application> +How does Privoxy differ +from the old Junkbuster? Privoxy picks up where Junkbuster left off. 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 greatly enhanced, and many, many new features have been added, all in the same vein. + still manages cookies, and still + helps protect your privacy. But, these are all greatly enhanced, and many, + many new features have been added, all in the same vein. The configuration has changed significantly as well. This is something that @@ -205,8 +273,8 @@ from the old Junkbuster? 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. + syntax. What's New + page for the latest updates.]]> Privoxy's new features include: @@ -218,34 +286,8 @@ from the old Junkbuster? -What is a <quote>proxy</quote>? How does -<application>Privoxy</application> work? - - 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 the 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. - - - There are many reasons to use web proxies, such as security (firewalling), - efficiency (caching) and others, and there are just as many different proxies - to accommodate those needs. - - - Privoxy is a proxy that is primarily focused on privacy - protection, 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 control via the various configuration - files and options. - - - - -How does <application>Privoxy</application> know what is +<title id="knows">How does Privoxy know what is an ad, and what is not? Privoxy's approach to blocking ads is twofold: @@ -257,7 +299,8 @@ an ad, and what is not? and the host (blocking the big banner hosting services like doublecklick.net already helps a lot). Privoxy takes advantage of this fact by using URL - patterns to sort out and block the requests for banners. + patterns to sort out and block the requests for things that sound + like they would be ads or banners. Second, banners tend to come in certain sizes. But you @@ -269,12 +312,12 @@ an ad, and what is not? Both of this involves a certain amount of guesswork and is, of course, freely - configurable. + and readily configurable. -Can <application>Privoxy</application> make mistakes? +<title id="mistakes">Can Privoxy make mistakes? This does not sound very scientific. Actually, it's a black art ;-) And yes, it is always possible to have a broad @@ -295,7 +338,7 @@ This does not sound very scientific. -Will I have to configure <application>Privoxy</application> +<title id="configornot">Will I have to configure Privoxy before I can use it? No, not really. The default installation should give you a good starting @@ -309,12 +352,16 @@ This does not sound very scientific. encourage you to do this. This is where the real power of Privoxy lies! + + You will have to tell your browser about Privoxy + (see the Installation section below). + My browser does the same things as -<application>Privoxy</application>. Why should I use -<application>Privoxy</application> at all? +Privoxy. Why should I use +Privoxy at all? Modern browsers do indeed have some of the same functionality as Privoxy. Maybe this is @@ -329,7 +376,19 @@ This does not sound very scientific. - +Why should I trust Privoxy? + + The most important reason is because you have access to + everything, 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 + yours. In fact, we encourage this level of scrutiny. It + is one reason we use &my-app; ourselves. + + Is there is a license or fee? What about a warranty? Registration? @@ -350,37 +409,42 @@ warranty? Registration? -I would like to help you, what do I do? - -Contribute! + +Can Privoxy remove spyware? Adware? Viruses? - We, of course, welcome donations and could use money for domain registering, - buying software to test Privoxy with, and, of course, - for regular world-wide get-togethers (hahaha). If you enjoy the software and feel - like helping us with a donation, just drop us a note. + No. &my-app; cannot remove anything. It is not a removal tool. It is a + preventative. &my-app; can help prevent contact from sites + that use such tactics, and thus could conceivably prevent contamination from + such sites. - + -Software + + +Can I use Privoxy with other ad-blocking software? - If you are a vendor of a web-related software like a browser, web server - or proxy, and would like us to ensure that Privoxy - runs smoothly with your product, you might consider supplying us with a - copy or license. We can't, however, guarantee that we will fix all potential - compatibility issues as a result. + &my-app; should work fine with other proxies and other software in general. - + + But it is probably not necessary to use &my-app; 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 + tweak its configuration to your liking. + + + +I would like to help you, what can I do? Would you like to participate? - Well, helping the team is always a good idea. We welcome new developers, - packagers, testers, documentation writers or really anyone with a desire to help in - any way. You - DO NOT need to be a programmer. There - are many other tasks available. In fact, the programmers often can't spend - as much time programming because of some of the other, more mundane things - that need to be done, like checking the Tracker feedback sections. + Well, we always need help. There is something for + everybody who wants to help us. We welcome new developers, packagers, + testers, documentation writers or really anyone with a desire to help in + any way. You DO NOT need to be a + programmer. There are many other tasks available. In fact, + the programmers often can't spend as much time programming because of some + of the other, more mundane things that need to be done, like checking the + Tracker feedback sections. So first thing, +Contribute! + + We, of course, welcome donations and could use money for domain registering, + buying software to test Privoxy with, and, of course, + for regular world-wide get-togethers (hahaha). If you enjoy the software and feel + like helping us with a donation, just drop us a note. + + + +Software + + If you are a vendor of a web-related software like a browser, web server + or proxy, and would like us to ensure that Privoxy + runs smoothly with your product, you might consider supplying us with a + copy or license. We can't, however, guarantee that we will fix all potential + compatibility issues as a result. + + + + @@ -407,12 +492,15 @@ warranty? Registration? Installation -Which browsers are supported by <application>Privoxy</application>? +Which browsers are supported by Privoxy? Any browser that can be configured to use a proxy, which - should be virtually all browsers. Direct browser support is not necessary - since Privoxy runs as a separate application and - talks to the browser in the standardized HTTP protocol, just like a web server + should be virtually all browsers, including + Firefox, Internet + Explorer, and Opera among others. + Direct browser support is not an absolute requirement since + Privoxy runs as a separate application and talks + to the browser in the standardized HTTP protocol, just like a web server does. @@ -426,7 +514,7 @@ Include supported.sgml here: -Can I use <application>Privoxy</application> with my email client? +Can I use Privoxy with my email client? As long as there is some way to set a HTTP proxy for the client, then yes, any application can be used, whether it is strictly speaking a @@ -445,7 +533,7 @@ Include supported.sgml here: Can I install - <application>Privoxy</application> over <application>Junkbuster</application>? + Privoxy over Junkbuster? We recommend you un-install Junkbuster first to minimize conflicts and confusion. You may want to @@ -453,7 +541,7 @@ Include supported.sgml here: files and syntax have substantially changed, so you will need to manually port your old patterns. See the note to upgraders and installation - chapter in the user manual + chapter in the User Manual for details. @@ -464,7 +552,7 @@ Include supported.sgml here: -I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>. Is there anything +<title id="firststep">I just installed Privoxy. Is there anything special I have to do now? @@ -472,14 +560,15 @@ special I have to do now? as a proxy by specifying the correct proxy address and port number in the appropriate configuration area for the browser. See below. You should also flush your browser's memory and disk cache to get rid of any - cached junk items, and remove any stored cookies. + cached junk items, and remove any stored + cookies. -What is the proxy address of <application>Privoxy</application>? +What is the proxy address of Privoxy? If you set up the Privoxy to run on the computer you browse from (rather than your ISP's server or some @@ -508,12 +597,13 @@ special I have to do now? Privoxy does not currently handle - any other protocols such as FTP, SMTP, IM, IRC, ICQ, etc. + any other protocols such as FTP, SMTP, IM, IRC, ICQ, etc. Be sure that + proxying any of these other protocols is not activated. -I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>, and nothing is happening. +<title>I just installed Privoxy, and nothing is happening. All the ads are there. What's wrong? @@ -537,14 +627,14 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? on starting Privoxy and browser configuration, see the chapter on starting Privoxy in the - user manual. + User Manual. I get a <quote>Privoxy is not being used</quote> dummy page although -<application>Privoxy</application> is running and being used. +Privoxy is running and being used. First, make sure that Privoxy is really running and @@ -552,7 +642,7 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? should see the Privoxy main page. If not, see the chapter on starting Privoxy in the - user manual. + User Manual. @@ -565,12 +655,17 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? - The procedure for clearing the cache varies from browser to browser. As an - example, Mozilla users would click + The procedure for clearing the cache varies from browser to browser. For + example, Mozilla/Netscape users would click Edit --> Preferences --> Advanced --> Cache and then click both Clear Memory Cache and Clear Disk Cache. + And, Firefox users would click + Tools --> Options --> + Privacy --> Cache and + then click Clear Cache Now. + @@ -583,8 +678,9 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? Where can I get updated Actions Files? - Based on your feedback and the continuing development, updated actions files will be - made available on the default.action will be + made available from time to time on the files section of our project page. @@ -600,30 +696,38 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? Can I use my old config files? - The syntax, number, and purpose of configuration files has substantially - changed from Junkbuster and early versions - of Privoxy. The old files, like blocklist - will not work at all. If you are upgrading from a 2.0.x version, you will - need to port your configuration data to the new format. Note that even the - pattern syntax has changed! Even configuration files from the 2.9.x versions - will need to be adapted, as configuration syntax has been very much in flow - in the 2.9.x series. + The syntax and purpose of configuration files has remained the same + throughout the 3.x series. Although each release contains updated, + improved versions and it is recommended to use the newer + configuration files. + fast-redirects + has changed. See the What's New section + of the User Manual for details.]]> + But all configuration files have substantially + changed from the Junkbuster days, and early + versions of Privoxy 2.x. The old files, like + blocklist will not work at all. + + Refer to the What's New page for information on configuration changes that may occur from one release to another. - + ]]> -What is an <quote>actions</quote> file? +What exactly is an <quote>actions</quote> file? Actions files are where various actions - that Privoxy might take while processing a certain + that Privoxy could take while processing a certain request, are configured. Typically, you would define a set of default actions that apply to all URLs, then add exceptions to these defaults where needed. + There is a wide array of actions available that give the user a high degree + of control and flexibility on how to process each and every web page. @@ -632,9 +736,10 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? for single URLs, whole web sites, groups or parts thereof etc. Actions can also be grouped together and then applied to requests matching one or more patterns. There are many possible actions that might apply to any given site. As an example, - if you are blocking cookies as one of your default actions, but need to accept - cookies from a given site, you would need to define an exception for this - site in one of your actions files, preferably in user.action. + if you are blocking cookies + as one of your default actions, but need to accept cookies from a given site, + you would need to define an exception for this site in one of your actions + files, preferably in user.action. @@ -683,7 +788,7 @@ the differences? to make their private customizations, and standard.action, which is for internal Privoxy use only. Please see the actions chapter - in the user manual for a more + in the User Manual for a more detailed explanation. @@ -699,7 +804,9 @@ the differences? How can I make my Yahoo/Hotmail/Gmail account work? The default configuration shouldn't impact the usability of any of these services. - It will, however, make all cookies temporary, so that your browser will forget your + It will, however, make all cookies + temporary, so that your browser will forget your login credentials in between browser sessions. If you would like not to have to log in manually each time you access those websites, simply turn off all cookie handling for them in the user.action file. An example for yahoo might @@ -711,11 +818,35 @@ the differences? { -crunch-incoming-cookies -crunch-outgoing-cookies -session-cookies-only } .login.yahoo.com + + These kinds of sites are often quite complex and heavy with + Javascript and + thus fragile. So if still a problem, + we have an alias just for such + sticky situations: + + + # Gmail is a _fragile_ site: +# +{ fragile } + mail.google.com + + + Be sure to flush your browser's caches whenever making these kinds of + changes, just to make sure the changes take. + + + Make sure the domain, host and path are appropriate as well. Your browser can + tell you where you are specifically and you should use that information for + your configuration settings. Note that above it is not referenced as + gmail.com, which is a valid domain name. + What's the difference between the -<quote>Cautious</quote>, <quote>Medium</quote> and <quote>Adventuresome</quote> defaults? +Cautious, Medium and Advanced defaults? Configuring Privoxy is not entirely trivial. To help you get started, we provide you with three different default action @@ -732,14 +863,14 @@ the differences? general, the more aggressive your default settings are, the more exceptions you will have to make later. See the User Manual - for a more deatiled discussion. + for a more detailed discussion. - It should be noted that the Adventuresome profile (formerly known - as the Advanced profile) is not only more - aggressive, but also includes fun and, extreme usage of most of - Privoxy's features. Use at your own risk! + It should be noted that the Advanced profile (formerly known + as the Adventuresome profile) is more + aggressive, and will make use of some of + Privoxy's advanced features. Use at your own risk! @@ -795,11 +926,13 @@ with a browser? Does that not raise security issues? If you are familiar with regular expressions, and HTML, you can look at the provided default.filter with a text editor and define your own filters. This is potentially a very powerful feature, but - requires some expertise in both regular expressions and HTML/HTTP. You should + requires some expertise in both regular expressions and HTML/HTTP. + user.filter, so they won't - be overwritten during upgrades. The ability to define multiple filter files - in config is a new feature as of v. 3.0.4. + be overwritten during upgrades. + The ability to define multiple filter files + in config is a new feature as of v. 3.0.4.]]> @@ -812,7 +945,7 @@ with a browser? Does that not raise security issues? -How can I set up <application>Privoxy</application> to act as a proxy for my +<title id="lanconfig">How can I set up Privoxy to act as a proxy for my LAN? By default, Privoxy only responds to requests @@ -902,7 +1035,7 @@ with a browser? Does that not raise security issues? is rather smart, it can and will make errors. The checkerboard image is visually decent, but it shows you that and where images were blocked, which can be very helpful in case some navigation aid or otherwise innocent image was - erraneously blocked. Some people might also enjoy seeing how many banners + erroneously blocked. Some people might also enjoy seeing how many banners they don't have to see.. @@ -936,43 +1069,41 @@ instead of the checkerboard image. Why and how do I get rid of this? -Can <application>Privoxy</application> run as a service -on Win2K/NT? +Can Privoxy run as a service +on Win2K/NT/XP? + +Windows service + functionality. See + the User Manual for details on how to install and configure + Privoxy as a service. + - Earlier versions could run as a system service using srvany.exe. + Earlier ]]>3.x versions could run as a system service using srvany.exe. See the discussion at http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=361118&aid=485617&group_id=11118, for details, and a sample configuration. - - Version 3.0.1 fixes the problem where the icon and menu where not available - in the taskbar for this usage. - - - - Version 3.0.4, introduces full Windows service functionality, thus elimating - the srvany.exe requirement. - -How can I make <application>Privoxy</application> work with other -proxies like <application>Squid</application> or <application>TOR</application>? +How can I make Privoxy work with other +proxies like Squid or Tor? This can be done and is often useful to combine the benefits of Privoxy with those of a another proxy. See the forwarding chapter - in the user manual which - describes how to do this. + in the User Manual which + describes how to do this, and the + How do I use Privoxy together with + Tor section below. -Can I just set <application>Privoxy</application> to use port 80 +<title>Can I just set Privoxy to use port 80 and thus avoid individual browser configuration? @@ -983,11 +1114,11 @@ and thus avoid individual browser configuration? -Can <application>Privoxy</application> run as a <quote>transparent +<title>Can Privoxy run as a <quote>transparent </quote> proxy? No, Privoxy currently does not have this ability, - though it is planned for a future release. Transparent proxies require + though it may be added in a future release. Transparent proxies require special handling of the request headers beyond what Privoxy is now capable of. @@ -997,16 +1128,16 @@ and thus avoid individual browser configuration? this ability should work though. See the forwarding chapter - in the user manual. As + in the User Manual. As a transparent proxy to be used for chaining we recommend Transproxy - (http://www.transproxy.nlc.net.au/). + (http://transproxy.sourceforge.net/). -How can I configure <application>Privoxy</application> for use with <application>Outlook - Express</application>? +How can I configure Privoxy for use with Outlook + Express? Outlook Express uses Internet Explorer components to both render HTML, and fetch any HTTP requests that may be embedded in an HTML email. @@ -1034,6 +1165,53 @@ and thus avoid individual browser configuration? + +I sometimes notice cookies sneaking through. How? + + Cookies can be + set in several ways. The classic method is via the + Set-Cookie HTTP header. This is straightforward, and an + easy one to manipulate, such as the &my-app; concept of + session-cookies-only. + There is also the possibility of using + Javascript to + set cookies (&my-app; calls these content-cookies). This + is trickier because the syntax can vary widely, and thus requires a certain + amount of guesswork. It is not realistic to catch all of these short of + disabling Javascript, which would break many sites. And lastly, if the + cookies are embedded in a HTTPS/SSL secure session via Javascript, they are beyond + Privoxy's reach. + + + All in all, &my-app; can help manage cookies in general, can help minimize + the loss of privacy posed by cookies, but can't realistically stop all + cookies. + + + + +Are all cookies bad? Why? + + No, in fact there are many beneficial uses of + cookies. Cookies are just a + method that browsers can use to store data between pages, or between browser + sessions. Sometimes there is a good reason for this, and the user's life is a + bit easier as a result. But there is a long history of some websites taking + advantage of this layer of trust, and using the data they glean from you and + your browsing habits for their own purposes, and maybe to your potential + detriment. Such sites are using you and storing their data on your system. + That is why the security conscious watch from whom those cookies come, and why + they really need to be there. + + + See the + Wikipedia cookie + definition for more. + + + How can I allow permanent cookies for my trusted sites? @@ -1078,7 +1256,7 @@ and thus avoid individual browser configuration? -Can I set-up <application>Privoxy</application> as a whitelist of +<title>Can I set-up Privoxy as a whitelist of <quote>good</quote> sites? Sure. There are a couple of things you can do for simple whitelisting. @@ -1088,13 +1266,13 @@ and thus avoid individual browser configuration? ############################################################ # Blacklist ############################################################ - { +block } + { +block } / # Block *all* URLs ############################################################ # Whitelist ############################################################ - { -block } + { -block } kids.example.com toys.example.com games.example.com @@ -1127,19 +1305,21 @@ and thus avoid individual browser configuration? Miscellaneous -How much does <application>Privoxy</application> slow my browsing down? This +<title id="slowsme">How much does Privoxy slow my browsing down? This has to add extra time to browsing. How much of an impact depends on many things, including the CPU of the host - system, how agressive the configuration is, which specific actions are being triggered, etc. + system, how aggressive the configuration is, which specific actions are being triggered, + the size of the page, etc. Overall, 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 typically 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 (if ad blocking is being used). + speed things up since ads, banners and other junk are not typically being + retrieved and 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 (if ad + blocking is being used). @@ -1147,16 +1327,17 @@ has to add extra time to browsing. url="../user-manual/actions-file.html#FILTER">filter or deanimate-gifs - actions will cause a perceived slowdown, since the entire document needs to be buffered - before displaying. On very large documents, there may be some impact. How - much depends on the page size, the actual definition of the filter(s), etc. See below. - Most other actions have little to no impact on speed. + actions will certainly cause a perceived slowdown, since the entire document + needs to be buffered before displaying. And on very large documents, there may be + some impact. How much depends on the page size, the actual definition of the + filter(s), etc. See below. Most other actions have little to no impact on + speed. -I noticed considerable +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="loadingtimes"><title>I notice considerable delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong? If you use any the feeling is different, because most browsers are able to start rendering incomplete content, giving the user a feeling of "it works". This effect is more noticeable on slower dialup connections. Extremely large documents - may have some impact on the time to load the page. But the overall difference - should be very minimal. If there is a big impact, then probably some other - problem is contributing. + may have some impact on the time to load the page where there is filtering + being done. But overall, the difference should be very minimal. If there is a + big impact, then probably some other problem is contributing. Filtering is automatically disabled for inappropriate MIME types. But note @@ -1186,18 +1367,6 @@ delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong? - -I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>, and all my -browsing has slowed to a crawl. What gives? - - This should not happen, and for the overwhelming number of users world-wide, - it does not happen. I would suspect some inadvertent interaction of software - components such as anti-virus software, spyware protectors, personal - firewalls or similar components. Try disabling (or uninstalling) these one - at a time and see if that helps. - - - What are "http://config.privoxy.org/" and "http://p.p/"? @@ -1258,7 +1427,7 @@ request? Rest assured that it has been read and considered. Why it is not answered, could be for various reasons, including no one has a good answer for it, no -one has had time to yet investigate it thorougly, it has been reported +one has had time to yet investigate it thoroughly, it has been reported numerous times already, or because not enough information was provided to help us help you. Your efforts are not wasted, and we do appreciate them. @@ -1270,47 +1439,66 @@ us help you. Your efforts are not wasted, and we do appreciate them. If you run both the browser and the proxy locally, you cannot hide your IP address with Privoxy or ultimately any other - software. The server needs to know your IP address to send the answers back - to you. + software. The server needs to know your IP address so that it knows where to + send the responses back. - Fortunately there are many publicly usable anonymous proxies out there, which - solve the problem by providing a further level of indirection between you and - the web server, shared by many people, and thus letting your requests "drown" - in white noise of unrelated requests as far as user tracking is concerned. + There are many publicly usable "anonymous" proxies out there, which + provide a further level of indirection between you and the web server. - Most of them will, however, log your IP address and make it available to the - authorities in case you abuse that anonymity for criminal purposes. In fact + However, these proxies are called "anonymous" because you don't need + a password, not because they would offer any real anonymity. + Most of them will log your IP address and make it available to the + authorities in case you violate the law of the country they run in. In fact you can't even rule out that some of them only exist to *collect* information on (those suspicious) people with a more than average preference for privacy. - You can find a list of anonymous public proxies at multiproxy.org and many - more through Google. A particularly interesting project is the JAP service - offered by the Technical University of Dresden (http://anon.inf.tu-dresden.de/index_en.html). + Your best bet is to chain Privoxy + with Tor, + an EFF supported onion routing system. + The configuration details can be found in + How do I use Privoxy together with Tor section + just below. + -Can <application>Privoxy</application> guarantee I am anonymous? +Can Privoxy 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. + chain Privoxy with Tor + or a similar system and know what you're doing when it comes to configuring + the rest of your system, it would be safest to assume that everything you do + on the Web can be traced back to you. Privoxy can remove various information about you, and allows you more freedom to decide which sites - you can trust, and what details you want to reveal. But it's still possible - that web sites can find out who you are. Here's one way this can happen. + you can trust, and what details you want to reveal. But it neither + hides your ip address, nor can it guarantee that the rest of the system + behaves correctly. There are several possibilities how a web sites can find + out who you are, even if you are using a strict Privoxy + configuration and chained it with Tor. + + + Most of Privoxy's protection can be easily subverted + by an insecure browser configuration, therefore you should use a browser that can + be configured to only execute code from trusted sites, and be careful which sites you trust. + For example there is no point in having Privoxy + modify the User-Agent header, if websites can get all the information they want + through JavaScript, ActiveX, Flash, Java etc. A few browsers disclose the user's email address in certain situations, such @@ -1330,6 +1518,103 @@ us help you. Your efforts are not wasted, and we do appreciate them. + +A test site says I am not using a Proxy. + + Good! Actually, they are probably testing for some other kinds of proxies. + Hiding yourself completely would require additional steps. + + + +How do I use Privoxy + together with Tor? + + Before you configure Privoxy to use Tor + (http://tor.eff.org/), + please follow the User Manual chapters + 2. Installation and + 5. Startup to make sure + Privoxy itself is setup correctly. + + + If it is, refer to Tor's + extensive documentation to learn how to install Tor, + and make sure Tor's logfile says that + Tor has successfully opened a circuit and it + looks like client functionality is working. + + + If either Tor or Privoxy + isn't working, their combination most likely will neither. Testing them on their + own will also help you to direct problem reports to the right audience. + If Privoxy isn't working, don't bother the + Tor developers. If Tor + isn't working, don't send bug reports to the Privoxy Team. + + + If you verified that Privoxy and Tor + are working, it is time to connect them. As far as Privoxy + is concerned, Tor is just another proxy that can be reached + by socks4 or socks4a. Most likely you are interested in Tor + to increase your anonymity level, therefore you should use socks4a, + to make sure Privoxy's DNS requests are + done through Tor and thus invisible to your local network. + + + + Since Privoxy 3.0.4, its configuration (section 5.2) + is already prepared for Tor, if you are using a + default Tor configuration and run it on the same + system as &my-app;, you just have to uncomment the line: + + + +# forward-socks4a / 127.0.0.1:9050 . + + + + This is enough to reach the Internet, but additionally you should + uncomment the following forward rules, to make sure your local network is still + reachable through Privoxy: + + + +# forward 192.168.*.*/ . +# forward 10.*.*.*/ . +# forward 127.*.*.*/ . + + + + Unencrypted connections to systems in these address ranges will + be as (un)secure as the local network is, but the alternative is + that you can't reach the network at all. + If you also want to be able to reach servers in your local + network by using their names, you will need additional + exceptions that look like this: + + + +# forward localhost/ . + + + + Save the modified configuration file and open + http://config.privoxy.org/show-status/ + in your browser, confirm that Privoxy has reloaded its configuration + and that there are no other forward lines, unless you know that you need them. I everything looks good, + refer to + Tor + Faq 4.2 to learn how to verify that you are really using Tor. + + + Afterward, please take the time to at least skim through the rest + of Tor's documentation. Make sure you understand + what Tor does, why it is no replacement for + application level security, and why you shouldn't use it for unencrypted logins. + ]]> + + Might some things break because header information or content is being altered? @@ -1376,7 +1661,7 @@ content is being altered? -Can <application>Privoxy</application> act as a <quote>caching</quote> proxy to +<title id="caching">Can Privoxy 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 @@ -1390,7 +1675,7 @@ speed up web browsing? -What about as a firewall? Can <application>Privoxy</application> protect me? +What about as a firewall? Can Privoxy protect me? Not in the way you mean, or in the way a true firewall can. Privoxy can help protect your privacy, but not @@ -1399,27 +1684,6 @@ speed up web browsing? - - I have large empty spaces / a checkerboard pattern now where ads used to be. Why? @@ -1444,7 +1708,7 @@ ads used to be. Why? -How can <application>Privoxy</application> filter Secure (HTTPS) URLs? +How can Privoxy filter Secure (HTTPS) URLs? Since secure HTTP connections are encrypted SSL sessions between your browser and the secure site, and are meant to be reliably secure, @@ -1476,7 +1740,7 @@ ads used to be. Why? -<application>Privoxy</application> runs as a <quote>server</quote>. How +<title id="secure">Privoxy 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 affect @@ -1501,7 +1765,7 @@ secure is it? Do I need to take any special precautions? -How can I temporarily disable <application>Privoxy</application>? +How can I temporarily disable Privoxy? The easiest way is to access Privoxy with your browser by using the remote toggle URL: -When <quote>disabled</quote> is <application>Privoxy</application> totally +<title>When <quote>disabled</quote> is Privoxy totally out of the picture? No, this just means all filtering and actions are disabled. @@ -1525,8 +1789,8 @@ out of the picture? -My logs show <application>Privoxy</application> <quote>crunches</quote> -ads, but also its own CGI pages. What is a <quote>crunch</quote>? +My logs show Privoxy <quote>crunches</quote> +ads, but also its own internal CGI pages. What is a <quote>crunch</quote>? A crunch simply means Privoxy intercepted something, nothing more. Often this is indeed ads or @@ -1541,7 +1805,7 @@ ads, but also its own CGI pages. What is a crunch? -Can <application>Privoxy</application> effect files that I download +<title>Can Privoxy effect files that I download from a webserver? FTP server? From the webserver's perspective, there is no difference between @@ -1554,7 +1818,7 @@ from a webserver? FTP server? Filtering is potentially more of a concern since the results are not always so obvious, and the effects of filtering are there whether the file is simply viewed, or downloaded. And potentially whether the content is some obnoxious - advertizement, or Mr. Jimmy's latest/greatest source code jewel. Of course, + advertisement, or Mr. Jimmy's latest/greatest source code jewel. Of course, one of these presumably is bad content that we don't want, and the other is good content that we do want. Privoxy is blind to the differences, and can only @@ -1575,7 +1839,7 @@ from a webserver? FTP server? altered by filtering, will be saved too, for these (probably rare) cases. - Note that versions later than 3.0.2 do NOT filter document types of + Note that versions later than 3.0.2 do NOT filter document types reported as text/plain. Prior to this, Privoxy did filter this document type. @@ -1598,21 +1862,48 @@ from a webserver? FTP server? Privoxy does not do FTP at all, only HTTP - protocols, so please don't even try. + and HTTPS (SSL) protocols, so please don't try. -I just downloaded a Perl script, and <application>Privoxy</application> +<title>I just downloaded a Perl script, and Privoxy altered it! Yikes, what is wrong! Please read above. + +Should I continue to use a <quote>HOSTS</quote> file for ad-blocking? + + One time-tested technique to defeat common ads is to trick the local DNS + system by giving a phony IP address for the ad generator in the local + HOSTS file, typically using 127.0.0.1, aka + localhost. This effectively blocks the ad. + + + There is no reason to use this technique in conjunction with + Privoxy. Privoxy + does essentially the same thing, much more elegantly and with much more + flexibility. A large HOSTS file, in fact, not only + duplicates effort, but may get in the way. It is recommended to remove + such entries from your HOSTS file. If you think + your hosts list is neglected by Privoxy's + configuration, consider adding your list to your user.action file: + + + + { +block } + www.ad.example1.com + ad.example2.com + ads.galore.example.com + etc.example.com + + -Where can I find more information about <application>Privoxy</application> +<title>Where can I find more information about Privoxy and related issues? &seealso; @@ -1636,9 +1927,9 @@ and related issues? in the default configuration as shipped. You have either manually activated the fun filter which is clearly labeled Text replacements for subversive browsing - fun! or you have implicitly activated it by choosing the - Adventuresome profile in the web-based editor (formerly known - as the Advanced profile). + fun! or you are using an older Privoxy version and have implicitly + activated it by choosing the Adventuresome profile in the + web-based editor. Please upgrade! @@ -1660,7 +1951,7 @@ with every web page? - Early Privoxy versions (and also + Early Privoxy 2.x versions (and also Junkbuster) 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, @@ -1695,7 +1986,7 @@ still getting through. How? -One of my favorite sites does not work with <application>Privoxy</application>. +<title >One of my favorite sites does not work with Privoxy. What can I do? @@ -1736,9 +2027,11 @@ What can I do? Troubleshooting actions is discussed in more detail in the user-manual appendix. + url="../user-manual/appendix.html#ACTIONSANAT">User Manual appendix, + Troubleshooting: the Anatomy of an Action. There is also an actions tutorial. + url="../user-manual/actions-file.html#ACT-EXAMPLES">actions tutorial + with general configuration information and examples. @@ -1746,7 +2039,7 @@ What can I do? -After installing <application>Privoxy</application>, I have to log in +<title>After installing Privoxy, I have to log in every time I start IE. What gives? @@ -1796,13 +2089,13 @@ every time I start IE. What gives? -I cannot connect to any FTP sites. <application>Privoxy</application> - seems to be blocking me. +I cannot connect to any FTP sites. Privoxy + is blocking me. Privoxy cannot act as a proxy for FTP traffic, so do not configure your browser to use Privoxy as an FTP proxy. The same is true for any protocol other than HTTP - or HTTPS. + or HTTPS (SSL). Most browsers understand FTP as well as HTTP. If you connect to a site, with @@ -1813,10 +2106,13 @@ every time I start IE. What gives? To complicate matters, some systems may have a generic proxy - setting, which will silently enable both HTTP and FTP - proxying! So it is possible to accidentally enable FTP proxying in these - cases. And of course, if this happens, Privoxy - will indeed cause problems since it does not know FTP. + setting, which will silently enable various protocols, including + both HTTP and FTP proxying! So it is possible to + accidentally enable FTP proxying in these cases. And of course, if this + happens, Privoxy will indeed cause problems since + it does not know FTP. Just disable the FTP setting + and all will be well again. Will Privoxy ever proxy FTP traffic? Unlikely. @@ -1828,7 +2124,7 @@ every time I start IE. What gives? In Mac OSX, I can't configure Microsoft Internet Explorer to use - <application>Privoxy</application> as the HTTP proxy. + Privoxy as the HTTP proxy. Microsoft Internet Explorer (in versions like 5.1) respects system-wide network settings. In order to change the HTTP proxy, open System @@ -1877,7 +2173,7 @@ every time I start IE. What gives? I get a completely blank page at one site. <quote>View Source</quote> shows only: <markup><![CDATA[<html><body></body></html>]]></markup>. Without - <application>Privoxy</application> the page loads fine. + Privoxy the page loads fine. Chances are that the site suffers from a bug in PHP, @@ -1931,10 +2227,15 @@ Why? result in a much slower response from Privoxy on some platforms due to DNS timeouts. + + This can be caused by a problem with the local HOSTS + file. If this file has been changed from the original, try reverting it to + see if that helps. + -When I try to launch <application>Privoxy</application>, I get an +<title>When I try to launch Privoxy, I get an error message <quote>port 8118 is already in use</quote> (or similar wording). Why? @@ -1964,7 +2265,7 @@ Why? - Why are binary files (such as images) corrupted when <application>Privoxy</application> + Why are binary files (such as images) corrupted when Privoxy is used? @@ -2013,7 +2314,8 @@ Why? Privoxy is attempting to disable malicious - Javascript in this case, with the unsolicited-popups + Javascript + in this case, with the unsolicited-popups filter. Privoxy cannot tell very well good code snippets from bad code snippets. @@ -2029,7 +2331,7 @@ Why? I am getting too many DNS errors like <quote>404 No Such Domain</quote>. Why - can't <application>Privoxy</application> do this better? + can't Privoxy do this better? There are potentially several factors here. First of all, the DNS resolution @@ -2038,7 +2340,7 @@ Why? merely initiates the process and hands it off, and then later reports whatever the outcome was. And tries to give a coherent message if there seems to be a problem. In some cases, this might otherwise be mitigated by the - browser itself which might try some work-arounds and alernate approaches (e.g + browser itself which might try some work-arounds and alternate approaches (e.g adding www. to the URL). In other cases, if Privoxy is being chained with another proxy, this could complicate the issue, and cause undue @@ -2047,15 +2349,16 @@ Why? the messenger which is reporting whatever problem occurred downstream, and not the root cause of the error. + In any case, v. 3.0.4 includes various improvements to help Privoxy better handle these cases. - +]]> - At one site <application>Privoxy</application> just hangs, and starts taking + At one site Privoxy just hangs, and starts taking all CPU. Why is this? @@ -2071,6 +2374,17 @@ Why? + +I just installed Privoxy, and all my +browsing has slowed to a crawl. What gives? + + This should not happen, and for the overwhelming number of users world-wide, + it does not happen. I would suspect some inadvertent interaction of software + components such as anti-virus software, spyware protectors, personal + firewalls or similar components. Try disabling (or uninstalling) these one + at a time and see if that helps. + + @@ -2147,10 +2461,35 @@ Why? The GNU General Public License should be included with this file. If not, you can view it at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html - or write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 - Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA. + or write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., + 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA $Log: faq.sgml,v $ +Revision 2.17 2006/09/17 14:56:32 hal9 +This includes yet several more new FAQs, some improved wording, enhanced +mark-up, various hyper links to wikipedia to explain key terminology to the +uninitiated, etc. This is ready for release IMO pending final tagging of cvs +and Privoxy version stamping. + +Revision 2.16 2006/09/10 15:30:46 hal9 +Spell check. + +Revision 2.15 2006/09/08 23:05:07 hal9 +Fix broken links. Add faq on hosts files. Move most of new windows service +feature to user manual and reference in faq. Various other small changes. + +Revision 2.14 2006/09/05 13:25:12 david__schmidt +Add Windows service invocation stuff (duplicated) in FAQ and in user manual under Windows startup. One probably ought to reference the other. + +Revision 2.13 2006/09/04 19:20:33 fabiankeil +Adjusted anonymity related sections to match reality. +Added a section about using Privoxy with Tor. + +Revision 2.12 2006/09/03 14:15:30 hal9 +Various updates, including 7 or 8 new FAQs, and updates/changes to various +other ones to better reflect improvements, additions and changes for the +upcoming release. This is close to final form for 3.0.4 IMHO. + Revision 2.11 2006/07/18 14:48:50 david__schmidt Reorganizing the repository: swapping out what was HEAD (the old 3.1 branch) with what was really the latest development (the v_3_0_branch branch)