X-Git-Url: http://www.privoxy.org/gitweb/?p=privoxy.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=doc%2Fsource%2Ffaq.sgml;h=9e83033131505ed7629fd851cbc87fb8d07a6fa2;hp=5a95bfb7899407edf8cc770c5796dd183785e739;hb=ba215fa6bb4d5293cff0a7b9b399d075f990300d;hpb=5fd973fd724f8f92c0310368e4aaedb9b4a9ac29 diff --git a/doc/source/faq.sgml b/doc/source/faq.sgml index 5a95bfb7..9e830331 100644 --- a/doc/source/faq.sgml +++ b/doc/source/faq.sgml @@ -1,4 +1,20 @@ - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +]> -
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Privoxy Frequently Asked Questions -$Id: faq.sgml,v 1.34 2002/03/29 04:35:56 hal9 Exp $ +$Id: faq.sgml,v 1.44 2002/04/07 21:24:29 hal9 Exp $ @@ -31,33 +71,29 @@ + + + This is here to keep vim syntax file from breaking :/ + If I knew enough to fix it, I would. + PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE! HB: hal@foobox.net + + +]]> This FAQ gives users and developers alike answers to frequently asked - questions about Privoxy. + 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. - - - Privoxy is based on the code of the - Internet Junkbuster. - Junkbuster was originally written by JunkBusters - Corporation, and was released as free open-source software under the GNU GPL. - Stefan Waldherr made many improvements, and started the SourceForge project - to continue development. - + + &p-intro; + -You can find the latest version of the document at http://www.privoxy.org/faq/. -Please see the Contact section in the -user-manual if you want to contact the developers. + You can find the latest version of the document at http://www.privoxy.org/faq/. + Please see the Contact section if you want to contact the developers. @@ -66,70 +102,69 @@ Please see the Contact section in the - - - + + ---> - - -Frequently Asked Questions -General Information +General Information -What is this new version of <application>Privoxy</application>? +What is this new version of <application>Privoxy</application>? - The original Internet Junkbuster (tm) is a - copyrighted product of Junkbusters - Corporation. Development of this effort stopped some time ago as of - version 2.0.2. Stefan Waldherr 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 result + The original Internet + Junkbuster (tm) is a copyrighted product of Junkbusters Corporation. + Development of this effort stopped some time ago as of version 2.0.2. Stefan + Waldherr 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 result of this effort is Privoxy. - Privoxy started with the - Junkbuster 2.0.2 code base, but has advanced + Privoxy has evolved from the + Junkbuster 2.0.2 code base, and has advanced significantly at this point. + + Please see the History section for more + information on the history of Junkbuster and + Privoxy. + - + - + Why <quote>Privoxy</quote>? Why a name change at all? Privoxy is the Privacy Enhancing Proxy. - There are possible legal complications from the continued use of the - Junkbuster name, which is a trademark of + There are potential legal complications from the continued use of the + Junkbuster name, which is a registered trademark of Junkbusters Corporation. + And thus they own the rights to the name. (There are, however, no objections from Junkbusters Corporation to the Privoxy project itself, and they, in fact, still share our ideals and goals.) - The developers also believed that there so many changes from the original + The developers also believed that there are so many changes from the original code, that it was time to make a clean break from the past and make - a name in their own right, especially now with the pending release of - version 3.0. - + a name in their own right. - + -How does <application>Privoxy</application> differ +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="differs"><title>How does <application>Privoxy</application> differ from the old <application>Junkbuster?</application> Privoxy picks up where @@ -140,127 +175,22 @@ from the old Junkbuster? 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 default.actions. This is where most of the per site - configuration is now. - + users will notice right off the bat if you are upgrading from + Junkbuster 2.0.x. The blocklist + file does not exist any more. This is replaced by actions + files, such as default.actions. This is where most of + the per site configuration is now. - - -What are some of the new features? - - - - - - - Integrated browser based configuration and control utility (http://p.p). Browser-based tracing of rule - and filter effects. - - - - - - Blocking of annoying pop-up browser windows. - - - - - - HTTP/1.1 compliant (most, but not all 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. - - - - - - GIF de-animation. - - - - - - Web page content filtering (removes banners based on size, - invisible web-bugs, JavaScript, pop-ups, status bar abuse, - etc.) - - - - - - Bypass many click-tracking scripts (avoids script redirection). - - - - - - - Multi-threaded (POSIX and native threads). - - - - - - Auto-detection and re-reading of config file changes. - - - - - - User-customizable HTML templates (e.g. 404 error page). - - - - - - Improved cookie management features (e.g. session based cookies). - - - - - - Improved signal handling, and a true daemon mode (Unix). - - - - - - Builds from source on most UNIX-like systems. Packages available for: Linux - (RedHat, SuSE, or Debian), Windows, Sun Solaris, Mac OSX, OS/2, HP-UX 11 and AmigaOS. - - - - - - - In addition, the configuration is much more powerful and versatile over-all. - - + - - +What are some of the new features? + + &newfeatures; + - + -What is a <quote>proxy</quote>? How does +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="proxymoron"><title>What is a <quote>proxy</quote>? How does <application>Privoxy</application> work? When you connect to a web site with Privoxy, @@ -287,10 +217,10 @@ from the old Junkbuster? fits the filtering proxy category. - + - + How does <application>Privoxy</application> know what is an ad, and what is not? @@ -315,9 +245,9 @@ an ad, and what is not? combinations as possible since there tend to be many, many variations used by advertisers, and new ones are being introduced all the time. - + - + Can <application>Privoxy</application> make mistakes? This does not sound very scientific. @@ -332,13 +262,13 @@ This does not sound very scientific. Privoxy configuration is very flexible, and includes tools to help identify these types of situations so they can be addressed as needed, allowing you to customize your installation. - (See the appendix below.) + (See the Troubleshooting section below.) - + -My browser does the same things as +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="browsers2"><title>My browser does the same things as <application>Privoxy</application>. Why should I use <application>Privoxy</application> at all? @@ -354,19 +284,18 @@ This does not sound very scientific. for possibly many browsers. - + -Is there is a license or fee? What about a +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="license"><title>Is there is a license or fee? What about a warranty? Registration? - 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 http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html - for specifics. + 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. Please see the Copyright section for more + information on the license and copyright. + There is no warranty of any kind, expressed, implied or otherwise. That is @@ -375,66 +304,62 @@ warranty? Registration? in every respect! - -I would like to help you, what do I do? + + +I would like to help you, what do I do? -Money Money Money +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? +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 + section Quickstart in the Developer's 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. - - + + -Installation +Installation - + Which browsers are supported by <application>Privoxy</application>? 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 - just exchanges standard HTML data with your browser. + just exchanges standard HTML data with your browser, just like a web server + does. - + - + Which operating systems are supported? - - Right now Win32, Mac OSX, OS/2, AmigaOS, Linux, and many - flavors of Unix. - - - - Source code is available, so porting to other operating systems, - is always a possibility. - - - + +&supported; + -Can I install +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="newinstall"><title>Can I install <application>Privoxy</application> over <application>Junkbuster</application>? We recommend you uninstall Junkbuster @@ -445,17 +370,16 @@ warranty? Registration? See the user-manual for - platform specific installation instructions. [FIXME: This is meant for after - the name change for 3.0!] + platform specific installation instructions. Note: Some installers may automatically uninstall Junkbuster, if present! - - - + + + I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>. Is there anything special I have to do now? @@ -468,10 +392,10 @@ special I have to do now? - + -What is the proxy address of <application>Privoxy</application>? +What is the proxy address of <application>Privoxy</application>? If you set up the Privoxy to run on the computer you browse from (rather than your ISP's server or some @@ -500,9 +424,9 @@ special I have to do now? protocols such as FTP, SMTP, IM, IRC, ICQ, or other Internet protocols. - + - + I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>, and nothing is happening. All the ads are there. What's wrong? @@ -520,27 +444,28 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? - - + + -Configuration +Configuration -Can I use my old config files? +Can I use my old config files? - There are major changes to Junkbuster - configuration from version 2.0.x to 2.9.x and later. The older files will - not work at all. If this is the case, you will need to re-enter your old - data into the new configuration structure. This is probably also a good - recommendation even if upgrading from 2.9.x to 3.x since there were - many minor changes along the way. + There are major changes to Junkbuster/ + Privoxy configuration from version 2.0.x to + 2.9.x and later. Most of the older files will not work at all. This is + especially true of blocklist. If this is the case, you + will need to re-enter your old data into the new configuration structure. + This is probably also a good recommendation even if upgrading from 2.9.x to + 3.x since there were many minor changes along the way. - + - + What is an <quote>actions</quote> file? @@ -567,20 +492,20 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? configuration (see below). - + - -The <quote>actions</quote>concept confuses me. Please list +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="actionss"> +<title>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? @@ -600,32 +525,32 @@ way to do this? detailed explanation of these and other configuration files, and their various options and syntax. - + - What are the differences between +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="configfiles"> <title>What are the differences between intermediate.action, basic.action, etc.? Configuring Privoxy is not easy. To help you get @@ -770,35 +695,36 @@ following table shows you, which features are enabled in each configuration. - + - Why can I change the configuration with a +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="browseconfig"> <title>Why can I change the configuration with a 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/privoxy hierarchy belongs to the user -"privoxy", with only 644 perms. +regular user, while the whole /etc/privoxy hierarchy +belongs to the user privoxy, with only 644 permissions. 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 +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 Privoxy. +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 Privoxy. -Note that normally only local users can connect to Privoxy, so this is not -(normally) a security problem. +Note that normally only local users can connect to +Privoxy, so this is not (normally) a security +problem. - + - + What is <quote>default.filter</quote>? The default.filter file is used to filter any @@ -821,9 +747,9 @@ Note that normally only local users can connect to PrivoxyActions List Editor from your browser. - + - + How can I set up <application>Privoxy</application> to act as a proxy for my LAN? @@ -847,10 +773,10 @@ Note that normally only local users can connect to Privoxy - + - + Instead of ads, now I get a checkerboard pattern. I don't want to see anything. This is a configuration option for images that @@ -867,16 +793,15 @@ Note that normally only local users can connect to PrivoxyEdit Actions List selection at http://p.p/. Or by hand editing the appropriate actions file. This will only effect what is defined as images - though. Also, any URLs that generate the bright red Blocked + though. Also, some URLs that generate the bright red Blocked banner, can be moved to the +image-blocker section for the - same reason. - + same reason, but there are some limits and risks to this (see below). - + - + Why would anybody want to see a checkerboard pattern? This can be helpful for troubleshooting problems. It might also be good @@ -886,9 +811,9 @@ Note that normally only local users can connect to Privoxy - + - + I see large red banners on some pages that say <quote>Blocked</quote>. Why and how do I get rid of this? @@ -898,25 +823,50 @@ Note that normally only local users can connect to Privoxyimages (e.g. ad banners). Depending on the URL itself, it is sometimes hard for Privoxy to - really know whether it is indeed an ad image or not. + really know whether there is indeed an ad image there or not. And there are + limitations as to what Privoxy can do to + fool the browser. - If you want them to be treated as if they were images, so that they can be - made invisible, then move the offending URL from the +block - section to the +imageblock section of your actions file. Just - be forewarned, if make any URL is made invisible, you may not - have any inkling that something has been removed from that page. + For instance, if the ad is in a frame, then it is embedded in the separate + HTML page used for the frame. In this case, you cannot just substitute an + aribitray image (like we would for a blank image), for an HTML + page. The browser is expecting an HTML page, and that is what it must have + for frames. So this situation can be a little trickier to deal with, and + Privoxy will use the Blocked page. + + + + If you want these to be treated as if they were images, so that they can be + made invisible, you can try moving the offending URL from the + +block section to the +imageblock section of + your actions file. Just be forewarned, if any URL is made + invisible, you may not have any inkling that something has + been removed from that page, or why. If this approach does not work, then you are + probably dealing with a frame (or ilayer), and the only thing + that can go there is an HTML page of some sort. + + + To deal with this situation, you could modify the + block HTML template that is used by + Privoxy to display this, and make it something + more to your liking. Currently, there is no configuration option for this. + You will have to modify, or create your own page, and use this to replace + templates/blocked, which is what + Privoxy uses to display the Blocked + page. - Alternately, you could modify the block - HTML template that is used by Privoxy to display - this, and make it something more to your liking. + Another way to deal with this is find why and where + Privoxy is blocking the frame, and + diable this. Then let the +image-blocker action + handle the ad that is embedded in the frame's HTML page. - + - + I cannot see all of the <quote>Blocked</quote> page banner. All I see is a bright red square. @@ -925,9 +875,28 @@ see is a bright red square. This will usually allow you to see the entire Privoxy Blocked page, and from there you can see just what is being blocked, and why. - + + + +Can <application>Privoxy</application> run as a service +on Win2K/NT? + + Yes, it can run as a system service using srvany.exe. + The only catch is that this will effectively disable the + Privoxy icon in the taskbar. You can have + one or the other, but not both at this time :( + + + There is a pending feature request for this functionality. See + thread: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=361118&aid=485617&group_id=11118, + for details, and a sample configuration. + + + - + + How can I make <application>Privoxy</application> work with other proxies like <application>Squid</application>? @@ -937,15 +906,15 @@ proxies like Squid? - - + + -Miscellaneous +Miscellaneous - + How much does <application>Privoxy</application> slow my browsing down? This has to add extra time to browsing. @@ -963,11 +932,11 @@ has to add extra time to browsing. before displaying. See below. - + -I noticed considerable +<sect2 renderas="sect3" id="loadingtimes"><title>I noticed considerable delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong? Using the default filtering configuration, I noticed considerable delays in @@ -986,10 +955,10 @@ To modify the content of a page (i.e. make frames resizeable again, etc.) and 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://p.p/"? +What is the "http://p.p/"? Since Privoxy sits between your web browser and the Internet, it can be programmed to handle certain pages specially. @@ -1021,44 +990,45 @@ return a web page telling you you're not running If you have version 2.0.2, then the equivalent is http://example.com/show-proxy-args (but you get far less information, and you -should really consider upgrading to 2.9.x). +should really consider upgrading to &p-version;). - + -Do you still maintain the blocklists? +Do you still maintain the blocklists? - No. The format of the blocklists has changed significantly in the versions - 2.9.x. Once we have released the new stable version, v3.0, there will - again be blocklists that you can update automatically. + No. The format of the blocklists has changed significantly in versions + 2.9.x and later. - + -How can I submit new ads? +How can I submit new ads? As of now, please discontinue to submit new ad blocking infos. Once we have released the new version, there will again be a form on the website, which you can use to contribute new ads. - + -How can I hide my IP address? +How can I hide my IP address? 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. @@ -1080,17 +1050,17 @@ You can find a list of anonymous public proxies at multiproxy.org and many more through Google. - + - + - + - + Can <application>Privoxy</application> guarantee I am anonymous? No. Your chances of remaining anonymous are greatly improved, but unless you @@ -1100,8 +1070,8 @@ more through Google. 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. + 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. A few browsers disclose the user's email address in certain situations, such @@ -1119,9 +1089,9 @@ more through Google. Luke! - + - + Might some things break because header information is being altered? @@ -1155,13 +1125,12 @@ being altered? If you have problems with a site, you will have to adjust your configuration accordingly. Cookies are probably the most likely adjustment that may be required, but by no means the only one. - - + - + Can <application>Privoxy</application> act as a <quote>caching</quote> proxy to speed up web browsing? @@ -1170,19 +1139,19 @@ speed up web browsing? 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. - + - + @@ -1199,10 +1168,10 @@ and ugly looking. Can't a better font be used? Given the above problem, we have decided to remove the logo option entirely [as of v2.9.13]. - + - + I have large empty spaces now where ads used to be. Why? @@ -1213,9 +1182,9 @@ Why? 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 @@ -1228,10 +1197,10 @@ Why? are embedded in the SSL stream though. - + - + <application>Privoxy</application> runs as a <quote>server</quote>. How secure is it? Do I need to take any special precautions? @@ -1252,9 +1221,9 @@ secure is it? Do I need to take any special precautions? Of course, a firewall is always good too. Better safe than sorry. - + - + How can I temporarily disable <application>Privoxy</application>? The easiest way is to access Privoxy with your @@ -1262,17 +1231,33 @@ secure is it? Do I need to take any special precautions? and select "Toggle Privoxy on or off" from that page. - + + +Where can I find more information about <application>Privoxy</application> +and related issues? + + &seealso; + + + + + - -Troubleshooting + +Troubleshooting - + I just upgraded and am getting <quote>connection refused</quote> with every web page? @@ -1292,9 +1277,9 @@ with every web page? Privoxy. - + - + I just added a new rule, but the steenkin ad is still getting through. How? @@ -1312,9 +1297,9 @@ still getting through. How? and see if any actions match your new rule. - + - + One of my favorite sites does not work with <application>Privoxy</application>. What can I do? @@ -1333,13 +1318,16 @@ What can I do? 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. + sites. Most disabled actions will have a - (minus + sign) in front of them. Some aliases are used just to disable other actions, + e.g. shop and fragile, and won't necessarily + use a + or - sign. Add your problem page + URL to one of these sections that looks like it is disabling the feature that + is causing the problem. Rember to flush your browser's caches when making + such changes! As a last resort, try fragile which + disables most actions. Now 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. @@ -1348,9 +1336,9 @@ What can I do? the same thing by editing the appropriate actions file. - + - + Where can I get help? Report bugs? Feature Requests? Etc? Feedback is encouraged, whether good, bad or ugly. Please see the contact @@ -1359,19 +1347,19 @@ What can I do? - + - + What time is it? Time for you to go! - - - + - - + Contacting the developers, Bug Reporting and Feature Requests + + &contacting; + + + + + Copyright and History + +Copyright + + ©right; + + -Contact the developers -Please see the user manual for information on how to contact the developers. - - ---> - -Copyright and History - - Please see the -user-manual for - information on Copyright and History. - - +History + + &history; + + + + + + + + +