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  • Tradeoffs on running Tor Browser and Orbot?

  • [deleted]

  • Edited

missing-root

missing-root The tor network is only good if connecting is private (public wifi, vpn) and you stay inside.

Why do you say this and what do you mean by stay inside? Seems like this is only a concern if you live somewhere where Tor is illegal or will cause excess attention from law enforcement (which some argue that any use of Tor will give you "extra" attention, but I digress). In that context then yes I guess one could say it's "only good with" because using Tor in itself would get you arrested, but that's not the case everywhere. If you're not concerned of your isp knowing that you're connecting to Tor then I don't really see it being a problem, unless you really need to conceal your IP address because there is a high liklihood of being targeted.

    Bit off topic, but does anyone know if there's an Orbot equivalent for desktop (Linux)? By that I mean a simple to use GUI app that tunnels either the whole system or just specific apps through Tor.

      missing-root Mozilla rewrote many core components of Firefox in memory safe Rust.

      TorProject does the same with Tor Browser and c-tor.
      C-tor development could still take years. In addition to security, the main feature is: Rust is multicore aware.
      Then we relay operators no longer have to run dozens or hundreds of Tor-instances on a modern multicore CPU-server.

        DeletedUser28 Orbot equivalent for desktop (Linux) is apt install tor.
        No GUI just edit /etc/tor/torrc
        HowTO man torrc

        Damn edit fails

        Tor runs by default in client mode & opens a socks proxy on port 9050.
        Configure $software to use tor: socks4 or socks5 proxy localhost:9050 or 127.0.0.1:9050

        TorBrowser has tor built in and binds default to 127.0.0.1:9150

          Carlos-Anso thanks, didnt know about JIT in Firefox and try to find the setting to completely disable it.

          Didnt know you could re-enable Javascript per site, but its still worse than Noscript which is per origin and also more granular.

          And I have to say Chromiums settings suck. I tried following that tutorial to add Startpage, didnt work.

          boldsuck there is the flatpak "Carburetor" which takes care of the proxy and also isolates it with Bubblewrap.

          Most Distros use networkmanager, so you need to set the proxy there.

          So it is totally possible, split tunneling probably not (mullvad bypasses that by spawning excluded apps with mullvad-exclude). It simply needs a GUI in addition to Carburetor

          [deleted] no idea what I meant with "stay inside".

          I like tor but it puts a lot of focus on you. I prefer to use it behind a VPN. Alternatively randomized Mac address and public wifi.

          For sure no cell data, home wifi maybe.

            • [deleted]

            missing-root

            Fair enough. Why not go full spook and run a yagi and snipe wifi a mile away? xD

              missing-root
              Yes, but there are no binaries, you have to compile it.
              I haven't tested it yet. I use Tor more on the server side for my relays and Monero nodes.

              "missing-root"#p61472 Most Distros use networkmanager, so you need to set the proxy there.

              Then the whole system uses the Tor network. Then I would directly use Tails, Whonix or Qubes. Or install it on the router network-wide.

              I use different routes e.g:
              $Browser via privoxy -> my ISP proxy -> www
              $Browser, Console -> VPN -> Datacenter
              I only use Tor for some hidden services (irc, bisq.network, haveno.exchange, Monero nodes) or to test my services/servers.

              [deleted] Why not go full spook and run a yagi and snipe wifi a mile away? xD

              I can do something similar here in the student district and mix with many other anon users.

              My ubiquiti nanostation <- (Freifunk Open-mesh) -> ubiquiti nanostation -> VPN -> Exit server