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-Junkbuster Frequently Asked Questions +Privoxy Frequently Asked Questions + + + + + + Copyright &my-copy; 2001, 2002 by + Privoxy Developers + + + +$Id: faq.sgml,v 1.63 2002/06/05 00:31:55 hal9 Exp $ + + + + + + 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 + + +]]> -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. + This FAQ gives quick answers to frequently asked questions about + Privoxy + . It can't and doesn't replace the + User Manual. + + + &p-intro; + + -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. + 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. @@ -56,627 +135,1060 @@ Please see the Contact section in the user-manual if you want to contact the dev - + &history; + + + + + + +Why <quote>Privoxy</quote>? Why a name change at all? - Fillme. + Privoxy is the + Privacy Enhancing Proxy. Also, its content + modification and junk suppression allow you to browse your + private edition of the web. - ---> - + + Junkbusters Corporation + continues to offer their original version of the Internet + Junkbuster, so publishing our + Junkbuster-derived software under the same name + led to confusion. + + + There are also potential legal complications from the continued use of the + Junkbuster name, which is a registered trademark of + Junkbusters Corporation. + 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 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. + + -Frequently Asked Questions - +How does <application>Privoxy</application> differ +from the old <application>Junkbuster?</application> + + 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 enhanced, and many new features have been added, all in the same vein. + + + 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 note to + upgraders for details. + + + Privoxy's new features include: + -General Information + + &newfeatures; + + + -What is this new version of <application>Junkbuster</application>? +What is a <quote>proxy</quote>? How does +<application>Privoxy</application> work? - 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. + 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. - The new Junkbuster started with the same - code base, but has changed significantly at this point. + 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. - - - -How does it differ from the old <application>Junkbuster?</application> - All the old features remain. The new Junkbuster - still blocks ads and banners, still manages cookies, and protects - your privacy. But, these are all enhanced, and many new features have been - added, all in the same vein. + Privoxy is a proxy that is solely focused on privacy + protection and junk elimination. 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. - - 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 - configuration is now. + - - -What are some of the new features? - + +How does <application>Privoxy</application> know what is +an ad, and what is not? - - - - - Integrated browser based configuration and control utility (http://i.j.b). 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). - - - - - - 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. - - - - + Privoxy's approach to blocking ads is twofold: + + First, there are certain patterns in the locations (URLs) + of banner images. This applies to both the path (you wouldn't guess how many + web sites serve their banners from a directory called banners!) + 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. + + + Second, banners tend to come in certain sizes. But you + can't tell the size of an image by its URL without downloading it, and if you + do, it's too late to save bandwidth. Therefore, Privoxy + also inspects the HTML sources of web pages while they are loaded, and replaces + references to images with standard banner sizes by dummy references, so that + your browser doesn't request them anymore in the first place. + + + Both of this involves a certain amount of guesswork and is, of course, freely + configurable. + + - - -What is a <quote>proxy</quote>? How does -<application>Junkbuster</application> work? - - When you connect to a web site with Junkbuster, - you are really connecting to your locally running version of - Junkbuster. Junkbuster - 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 - relays this data back to your web browser. + +Can <application>Privoxy</application> make mistakes? +This does not sound very scientific. + + Actually, it's a black art ;-) And yes, it is always possible to have a broad + rule accidentally block or change something by mistake. There is a good chance + you may run into such a situation at some point. It is tricky writing rules to + cover every conceivable possibility, and not occasionally get false positives. + - + + But this should not be a big concern since the + 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 Troubleshooting section below.) + - - Since Junkbuster 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 - this, all of which is under your control via the various configuration - files and options. + - - -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 - verstatile and powerful, and can do a number of things that browsers just can't. + functionality as Privoxy. Maybe this is + adequate for you. But Privoxy is much more + versatile and powerful, and can do a number of things that browsers just can't. In addition, a proxy is good choice if you use multiple browsers, or have a LAN with multiple computers. This way all the configuration is in one place, and you don't have to maintain a similar configuration 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? - Junkbuster 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. Or the LICENSE file + that should be included. + - 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 + There is no warranty of any kind, expressed, implied or otherwise. + That is something that would cost real money ;-) There is no registration either. + 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 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. + + + +You want to work with us? + + Well, helping the team is always a good idea. We welcome new developers, + packaging gurus or documentation writers. Simply get an account on SourceForge.net + and mail your id to the developers + mailing list. Then read 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 -Can I install the new - <application>Junkbuster</application> over the old one? +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 + talks to the browser in the standardized HTTP protocol, just like a web server + does. + + + + +Which operating systems are supported? + +&supported; + + +Can I install + <application>Privoxy</application> over <application>Junkbuster</application>? - We recommend you uninstall the old Junkbuster + We recommend you un-install Junkbuster first to minimize conflicts and confusion. You may want to save your old configuration files for future reference. The configuration - is substantially changed. + 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 + for details. - See the user-manual for platform specific installation instructions. - [FIXME: This is meant for after the name change!] + Note: Some installers may automatically un-install + Junkbuster, if present! - - -What is the proxy address of Junkbuster? + + + +I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>. Is there anything +special I have to do now? + + + 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. + You should also flush your browser's memory and disk cache to get rid of any + cached junk items. + + + + + + +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 - listen-address config option). + networked computer on a LAN), the proxy will be on 127.0.0.1 + (sometimes referred to as 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 Privoxy + to run on a different port with the listen-address config option). When configuring your browser's proxy settings you typically enter - the word localhost in the boxes next to HTTP - and Secure (HTTPS) and then the number 8118 - for port. + the word localhost or the IP address 127.0.0.1 + 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 Privoxy + instead of directly to the Internet. - 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. + same as above. Note that Privoxy doesn't + listen on any LAN interfaces by default. - 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 <application>Privoxy</application>, and nothing is happening. +All the ads are there. What's wrong? + + + 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 Privoxy is running, and your browser + is correctly configured by entering the special URL: + http://config.privoxy.org/. + This should take you to a page titled This is Privoxy.. with + access to Privoxy's internal configuration. + If you see this, then you are good to go. If you receive a page saying + Privoxy is not running, then the browser is not set up to use + your Privoxy installation. + If you receive anything else (probably nothing at all), it could either + be that the browser is not set up correctly, or that + Privoxy is not running at all. Check the log file. + + + + + -Configuration +Configuration -Can I use my old config files? +Can I use my old config files? - No. These will not work. You will need to re-enter your old - data into the new configuration structure. + The syntax, number, and purpose of configuration files has substantially + changed from Junkbuster and earlier 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. - + + +What is an <quote>actions</quote> file? -How can I make my Yahoo account work? - - Fillme. - - + + Actions files + are where various actions + that Privoxy might 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. + + + + Actions can be defined on a URL pattern basis, i.e. + 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 + - How can I make my Hotmail account work? - - Fillme. - - + - How can I make my GMX account work? + +The <quote>actions</quote> concept confuses me. Please list +some of these <quote>actions</quote>. + + For a comprehensive discussion of the actions concept, please refer + to the actions file + chapter in the user + manual. It includes a list of all actions + and an actions + file tutorial to get you started. + + + + + +How are actions files configured? What is the easiest +way to do this? + + + Actions files are just text files in a special syntax and can be edited + with a text editor. The probably easiest way is to access + Privoxy's user interface with your web browser + at http://config.privoxy.org/ + (Shortcut: http://p.p/) and then select + View & + change the current configuration from the menu. + + + + + + +There are several different <quote>actions</quote> files. What are +the differences? + + As of Privoxy v2.9.15, three actions files + are being included, to be used for + different purposes: These are + default.action, the main actions file + which is actively maintained by the Privoxy + developers, user.action, where users are encouraged + 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 + detailed explanation. + + + + Earlier versions included three different versions of the + default.action file. The new scheme allows for + greater flexibility of local configuration, and for browser based + selection of pre-defined aggressiveness levels. + + + + +How can I make my Yahoo/Hotmail/GMX account work? - Fillme. + 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 + 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 + look like: + + + # Allow all cookies for Yahoo login: +# +{ -crunch-incoming-cookies -crunch-outgoing-cookies -session-cookies-only } +.login.yahoo.com - - What are the differences between -ijb-intermediate.action, ijb-basic.action, etc.? + + + What's the difference between the +<quote>Cautious</quote>, <quote>Medium</quote> and <quote>Advanced</quote> defaults? -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 entirely trivial. To help you get + started, we provide you with three different default action packages in + the web based actions file editor at http://config.privoxy.org/show-status. + The following table shows you, which of the most important features are enabled in each + configuration: Default Configurations - + - Feature - ijb.action - ijb-basic.action - ijb-intermediate.action - ijb-advanced.action + Cautious + Intermadiate + Advanced - - - - - - ad-filtering - ? - x - x - x - - - - blank image - ? - x - x - x - - + - de-animate GIFs - ? - x - x - x + Ad-blocking by URL + yes + yes + yes - + - referer forging - ? - x - x - x + Ad-filtering by size + yes + yes + yes - + - jon's +no-cookies-keep (i.e. session cookies only) - ? - x - x - x + GIF de-animation + no + yes + yes - + - no-popup windows - ? - - x - x + Referer forging + no + yes + yes - + - fast redirects - ? - - x - x + Cookie handling + none + session-only + kill - + - hide-referrer - ? - - x - x + Pop-up killing + no + no + yes - + - hide-useragent - ? - - x - x + Fast redirects + no + no + yes - + - content-modification - ? - - - x + HTML taming + yes + yes + yes - + - feature-x - ? - - - + JavaScript taming + yes + yes + yes - + - feature-y - ? - - - + Web-bug killing + yes + yes + yes - + - feature-z - ? - - - + Fun text replacements + no + no + yes - +
- + + Where the defaults are likely to break some sites, exceptions for + known popular problem sites are included, but in + 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. + + + - Why can I change the configuration with a -browser? Does that not raise security issues? + 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/junkbuster hierarchy belongs to the user -"junkbuster", with only 644 perms. + It may seem strange that regular users can edit the config files with their + browsers, although the whole /etc/privoxy hierarchy + belongs to the user privoxy, with only 644 permissions. -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 -update the config files. + 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. + If you run Privoxy for multiple untrusted users (e.g. in + a LAN), you will probably want to turn the web-based editor and remote toggle + features off by setting enable-edit-actions + 0 and enable-remote-toggle + 0 in the main configuration file. -Note that normally only local users can connect to JunkBuster, so this is not -(normally) a security problem. + Note that in the default configuration, only local users (i.e. those on + localhost) can connect to Privoxy, + so this is not (normally) a security problem. - + + + + +What is the <filename>default.filter</filename> file? + + The default.filter + file is where filters are defined, which can be used to modify or + remove, web page content on the fly. Filters apply to anything + in the page source, including HTML tags, and JavaScript. Regular expressions are used + to accomplish this. There are a number of pre-defined filters to deal with common + annoyances. The filters are only defined here, to invoke them, you need to use the + filter + action in one of the actions files. Filtering is automatically + disabled for inappropriate MIME types. + + + + 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. + + + + + Presently, there is no GUI editor option for this part of the configuration, + but you can disable/enable the various pre-defined filters of the included + default.filter file with the web-based actions file editor. + - + +How can I set up <application>Privoxy</application> to act as a proxy for my + LAN? + + By default, Privoxy only responds to requests + from 127.0.0.1 (localhost). To have it act as a server for + a network, this needs to be changed in the main configuration file. Look for + the listen-address + option, which may be commented out with a # symbol. Make sure + it is uncommented, and assign it the address of the LAN gateway interface, + and port number to use. Assuming your LAN address is 192.168.1.1 and you + wish to run Privoxy on port 8118, this line + schould look like: + + + + + listen-address 192.168.1.1:8118 + -Misc + + Save the file, and restart Privoxy. Configure + all browsers on the network then to use this address and port number. + -I noticed considerable -delays in page requests compared to the old IJB. 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 -seemed to take forever, then suddenly delivering all the content at once. - + If you run Privoxy on a LAN with untrusted users, + we recommend that you double-check the access control and security + options! + + + + + + +Instead of ads, now I get a checkerboard pattern. I don't want to see anything. -The whole content must be loaded in order to filter, and nothing is is -sent to the browser during this time. The loading time does not really -change in real numbers, but the feeling is different, because most -browsers are able to start rendering incomplete content, giving the -user a feeling of "it works". - + The replacement for blocked images can be controlled with the set-image-blocker + action. You have the choice of a checkerboard pattern, a transparent 1x1 GIF + image (aka blank), or a redirect to a custom image of your choice. + Note that this choice only has effect for images which are blocked as images, i.e. + whose URLs match both a handle-as-image + and block action. + -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. + If you want to see nothing, then change the set-image-blocker + action to blank. This can be done by editing the + default.action file, or trough the web-based actions file editor. - + -What is the "http://i.j.b/"? + +Why would anybody want to see a checkerboard pattern? -Since JunkBuster sits between your web browser and the Internet, it can be -programmed to handle certain pages specially. + Remember that telling which image is an ad and which + isn't, is mostly guesswork. While we hope that the standard configuration + 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 + they don't have to see.. + + + -I get the message 'Bad File Descriptor', why? + +I see some images being replaced by a text +instead of the checkerboard image. Why and how do I get rid of this? - Fillme. + This happens when the banners are not embedded in the HTML code of the + page itself, but in separate HTML (sub)documents that are loaded into (i)frames + or (i)layers, and these external HTML documents are blocked. Being non-images + they get replaced by a substitute HTML page rather than a substitute image, + which wouldn't work out technically, since the browser expects and accepts + only HTML when it has requested an HTML document. - + + The substitute page adapts to the available space and shows itself as a + miniature two-liner if loaded into small frames, or full-blown with a + large red "BLOCKED" banner if space allows. + + + If you prefer the banners to be blocked by images, you must see to it that + the HTML documents in which they are embedded are not blocked. Clicking + the See why link offered in the substitute page will show + you which rule blocked the page. After changing the rule and un-blocking + the HTML documents, the browser will try to load the actual banner images + and the usual image blocking will (hopefully!) kick in. + + -How do I chain Junkbuster with other proxies -(e.g. squid)? + + +Can <application>Privoxy</application> run as a service +on Win2K/NT? - Fillme. + Yes, it can run as a system service using srvany.exe. + The only catch is that this will effectively disable the + Privoxy icon (and its menu!) 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 the discussion + at http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=361118&aid=485617&group_id=11118, + for details, and a sample configuration. + + + -I would like to help you, what do I do? + + +How can I make <application>Privoxy</application> work with other +proxies like <application>Squid</application>? - 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. 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. + This can be done and is often useful to combine the benefits of + Privoxy with those of a caching proxy. + See the forwarding chapter + in the user manual which + describes how to do this. - + -Do you still maintain the blocklists? + +Can <application>Privoxy</application> run as a <quote>transparent +</quote> proxy? - No. The format of the blocklists has changed significantly in the versions - 2.9.x. Once we have released the new version, there will again be - blocklists that you can update automatically. + No, Privoxy currently does not have this ability, + though it is planned for a future release. Transparent proxies require + special handling of the request headers beyond what + Privoxy is now capable of. - -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. + Chaining Privoxy behind another proxy that has + this ability should work though. + See the forwarding chapter + in the user manual. As + a transparent proxy to be used for chaining we recommend Transproxy + (http://www.transproxy.nlc.net.au/). - -How can I hide my IP address? + + + + + + + + + +Miscellaneous + + +How much does <application>Privoxy</application> slow my browsing down? This +has to add extra time to browsing. - You cannot hide your IP address with Junkbuster or any other software, since -the server needs to know your IP address to send the answer to you. + 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. + -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. + Filtering content via the filter or + deanimate-gifs + actions may cause a perceived slowdown, since the entire document needs to be buffered + before displaying. See below. + + + + +I noticed considerable +delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong? -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 -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. + If you use any filter action, + such as filtering banners by size, web-bugs etc, or the deanimate-gifs + action, the entire document must be loaded into memory in order for the filtering + mechanism to work, and nothing is sent to the browser during this time. -You can find a list of anonymous public proxies at multiproxy.org and many -more through Google. + The loading time does not really change in real numbers, but 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 especially + noticeable on slow dialup connections. + + + Filtering is automatically disabled for inappropriate MIME types. - + - - - - - - - - -Can Junkbuster guarantee I am anonymous? +What are "http://config.privoxy.org/" and +"http://p.p/"? + + http://config.privoxy.org/ is the + address of Privoxy's built-in user interface, and + http://p.p/ is a shortcut for it. + + + Since Privoxy sits between your web browser and the Internet, + it can simply intercept requests for these addresses and answer them with its built-in + web server. + + + This also makes for a good test for your browser configuration: If entering the + URL http://config.privoxy.org/ + takes you to a page saying This is Privoxy.., everything is OK. + If you get a page saying Privoxy is not working instead, then + your browser didn't use Privoxy for the request, + hence it could not be intercepted, and you have accessed the real + web site at config.privoxy.org. + + + With recent versions of Privoxy (version 2.9.x and + later), the user interface features information on the run time status, the + configuration, and even a built-in editor for the actions files. + + + + Note that the built-in URLs from earlier versions of Junkbuster + / Privoxy, http://example.com/show-proxy-args and http://i.j.b/, + are no longer supported. If you still use such an old version, you should really consider + upgrading to &p-version;. + + + + + +Do you still maintain the blocklists? + + No. The patterns for blocking now reside (among other things) in the actions files, which are + actively maintained instead. See next question ... + + + +How can I submit new ads? + +Yes, absolutely! Please see the Contact section for +how to do that. Please note that you (technically) need the latest +Privoxy version for this to work. + + + + +How can I hide my IP address? + + If you run both the browser and the proxy locally, you cannot hide your IP + address with Privoxy or any other software. The + server needs to know your IP address to send the answers back to you. + + + 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. + + + 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 + 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. + + + There is, however, even in the single-machine case the possibility to make the + server believe that your machine is in fact a shared proxy serving a whole big + LAN, and we are looking into that. + + + + +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. + 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 - 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. @@ -690,11 +1202,11 @@ more through Google. Luke! - + - -Might some things break because header information is -being altered? + +Might some things break because header information or +content is being altered? Definitely. More and more sites use HTTP header content to decide what to @@ -703,10 +1215,10 @@ being altered? - USER AGENT in particular is often used in this way to identify - the browser, and adjust content accordingly. Changing this now is not - recommended, since so many sites do look for this. You may get undesirable - results by changing this. + User-Agent in particular is often used in this way to identify + the browser, and adjust content accordingly. Changing this now (at least not + further than removing the OS information) is not recommended, since so many + sites do look for it. You may get undesirable results by changing this. @@ -715,153 +1227,404 @@ being altered? User Agent header. Giving a User Agent with the wrong operating system or browser manufacturer causes some sites in these languages to be garbled; Surfers to Eastern European sites should change it to - something closer. Some page access counters work by looking at the - REFERER header; they may fail or break if unavailable. The + something closer. And then some page access counters work by looking at the + Referer header; they may fail or break if unavailable. The weather maps of Intellicast have been blocked by their server when no - REFERER or cookie is provided, is another example. There - are many, many other ways things can go wrong when trying to fool a - web server. + Referer or cookie is provided, is another example. (But you + can forge both headers without giving information away). There are + many other ways things can go wrong when trying to fool a web server. + + + + Similar thoughts apply to modifying JavaScript, and, to a lesser degree, + HTML elements. 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 Junkbuster act as a <quote>caching</quote> proxy to +<sect2 renderas="sect3"> +<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 - with other kinds of proxies like Squid. + before you ask, Privoxy can co-exist + with other kinds of proxies like Squid. + See the forwarding + chapter in the user + manual for details. - + + +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. + Privoxy can help protect your privacy, but not + protect you from intrusion attempts. It is, of course, perfectly possible + and recommended to use both. + + - - + - + +I have large empty spaces / a checkerboard pattern now where +ads used to be. Why? + + It would be technically possible eliminate the banners in a way that frees + their screen estate in many cases, by doing all banner blocking with filters, + i.e. eliminating the whole image references from the HTML pages instead + of letting them stay in, and blocking the resulting requests for the + banners themselves. + + + But this would consume considerable CPU resources, would likely destroy + the layout of many web pages which rely on the banners consuming a certain + amount of screen space, and would fail in other cases, where the screen space + is reserved e.g. by tables anyway. Also, making the banners disappear without + a visual trace complicates troubleshooting. + + + So we won't support this in the default configuration, but you can of course + define appropriate filters yourself. + + + + +How can <application>Privoxy</application> 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, + there is little that Privoxy can do but hand the raw + gibberish data though from one end to the other unprocessed. + + + The only exception to this is blocking by host patterns, as the client needs + to tell Privoxy the name of the remote server, + so that Privoxy can establish the connection. + If that name matches a host-only pattern, the connection will be blocked. + + + As far as ad blocking is concerned, this is less of a restriction than it may + seem, since ad sources are often identifiable by the host name, and often + the banners to be placed in an encrypted page come unencrypted nonetheless + for efficiency reasons, which exposes them to the full power of + Privoxy's ad blocking. + + + + + +<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 affect + Privoxy. On Unix-like systems, + Privoxy can run as a non-privileged + user, which is how we recommend it be run. Also, by default + Privoxy only listens to requests + from localhost only. The server aspect of + Privoxy is not itself directly exposed to the + Internet in this configuration. If you want to have + 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 + Privoxy configuration file and check all access control and security + options. All LAN hosts can then use this as their proxy address + in the browser proxy configuration, but Privoxy + will not listen on any external interfaces. ACLs can be defined in addition, + and using a firewall is always good too. Better safe than sorry. + + + - -I have large empty spaces now where ads used to be. -Why does Junkbuster leave these large gaps? + +How can I temporarily disable <application>Privoxy</application>? - 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 - hold the various components of the page where they were intended to be. It is - best left this way. + The easiest way is to access Privoxy with your + browser by using the remote toggle URL: http://config.privoxy.org/toggle. + See the Bookmarklets section + of the User Manual for an easy way to access this + feature. + + + +When <quote>disabled</quote> is <application>Privoxy</application> totally +out of the picture? + + No, this just means all filtering and actions are disabled. + Privoxy is still acting as a proxy, but just not + doing any of the things that Privoxy would + normally be expected to do. It is still a middle-man in + the interaction between your browser and web sites. + - + + +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? - 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 (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, you need to change your browser to the new port number, or alternately - change Junkbuster's listen-address - setting in the config file used to start - Junkbuster. + change the listen-address + option in Privoxy's main configuration file. - + - + I just added a new rule, but the steenkin ad is 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 flushing the browser's + caches. And then try again. If this doesn't help, you probably have an error in the rule you 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. + url="http://config.privoxy.org/show-url-info">http://config.privoxy.org/show-url-info + and see if it really matches your new rule. + + + + +One of my favorite sites does not work with <application>Privoxy</application>. +What can I do? + + + First verify that it is indeed a Privoxy problem, + by toggling off Privoxy through http://config.privoxy.org/toggle, + and then shift-reloading the problem page (i.e. holding down the shift key + while clicking reload. Alternatively, flush your browser's disk and memory + caches). - + + If still a problem, go to http://config.privoxy.org/show-url-info + and paste the full URL of the page in question into the prompt. See which actions + are being applied to the URL, and which matches in which actions files are + responsible for that. Now, armed with this information, go to http://config.privoxy.org/show-status + and select the appropriate actions files for editing. + + + You can now either look for a section which disables the actions that + you suspect to cause the problem and add a pattern for your site there, + or make up a completely new section for your site. In any case, the recommended + way is to disable only the prime suspect, reload the problem page, and only + if the problem persists, disable more and more actions until you have + identified the culprit. You may or may not want to turn the other actions + on again. Remember to flush your browser's caches in between any such changes! + + + Alternately, if you are comfortable with a text editor, you can accomplish + the same thing by editing the appropriate actions file. Probably the easiest + way to deal with such problems when editing by hand is to add your + site to a { fragile } section in user.action, + which is an alias that turns off most dangerous + actions, but is also likely to turn off more actions then needed, and thus lower + your privacy and protection more than necessary, + + + Troubleshooting actions is discussed in more detail in the user-manual appendix. + There is also an actions tutorial. + - -Known Issues + +After installing <application>Privoxy</application>, I have to log in +every time I start IE. What gives? + - Fillme. + This is a quirk that effects the installation of + Privoxy, in conjunction with Internet Explorer and + Internet Connection Sharing on Windows 2000 and Windows XP. The symptoms may + appear to be corrupted or invalid DUN settings, or passwords. - - -Contact the developers -Please see the user manual for information on how to contact the developers. + + When setting up an NT based Windows system with + Privoxy you may find that things do not seem to be + doing what you expect. When you set your system up you will probably have set + up Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) with Dial up Networking (DUN) when + logged in with administrator privileges. You will probably have made this DUN + connection available to other accounts that you may have set-up on your + system. E.g. Mum or Dad sets up the system and makes accounts suitably + configured for the kids. + + + + When setting up Privoxy in this environment you + will have to alter the proxy set-up of Internet Explorer (IE) for the + specific DUN connection on which you wish to use + Privoxy. When you do this the ICS DUN set-up + becomes user specific. In this instance you will see no difference if you + change the DUN connection under the account used to set-up the connection. + However when you do this from another user you will notice that the DUN + connection changes to make available to "Me only". You will also find that + you have to store the password under each different user! + + + + The reason for this is that each user's set-up for IE is user specific. Each + set-up DUN connection and each LAN connection in IE store the settings for + each user individually. As such this enforces individual configurations + rather than common ones. Hence the first time you use a DUN connection after + re-booting your system it may not perform as you expect, and prompt you for + the password. Just set and save the password again and all should be OK. + + + +[Thanks to Ray Griffith for this submission.] + + + + + -Copyright and History -Please see the user manual for information on Copyright and History. + + + + Contacting the developers, Bug Reporting and Feature Requests + + &contacting; + + + + +Privoxy Copyright, License and History + + + ©right; + + + + Portions of this document are borrowed from the original + Junkbuster (tm) FAQ, and modified as + appropriate for Privoxy. + + + License + + &license; + + + + + + History + + &history; + + + + + + + + + + + +