π This Welcome goes out to Bob. Thank you for your Support. π π» π‘
Covering 'upgrade' -- new option on automated snowflake tor proxy installer
(π§
π Tor Browser Gitea Onion Link)
The ability to upgrade is important if you plan to run Snowflake long term:
changes in Snowflake distributed depend on upgrades - 'bash install.sh upgrade' automates this.
In case you missed earlier snowflake coverage, relevant videos shared in post.
Scroll down for more.
UPDATE: There is a python script allowing you to summarize the amount of users you have helped, and how many GB you have relayed, using the logs (thanks goes to Rowie for sharing this).
SCREENSHOT:
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Tor βοΈ Snowflake Proxy?
Running a Tor Snowflake Proxy helps users connect to the open internet in places where connecting to Tor may be censored. Connection appears as a WebRTC (ie: video / voice chat).
See previous video introduction "What Is A Tor Bridge? Should I Use A Bridge?":
To sum things up, bridges provide entry into the Tor network, for users who live in areas where Tor connections are blocked by country.
DEBUNKING MISINFORMATION
Despite misconceptions: there is nothing wrong with using Tor / I2P. At the very least it means you at least partially understand the human cost of surveillance capitalism, the damage it does to society, Human Rights, and personal autonomy.
Anonymity: one of the few goals to empower the powerless.
People of all backgrounds use Tor. From Journalists, to lawyers, OSINT investigators, activists, even law enforcement uses Tor (reportedly frequently) for protecting themselves and others.
Most Tor users are "normal" people (what is normal anyway?).
The majority of Tor usage is legitimate, entirely legal purposes. Protecting fundamental Human Rights. Privacy. Selective Anonymity. We all deserve these rights.
If you aren't using Tor yet: insurance companies may already be raising your rates (based on internet history sales).
Read About Insurance Companies Raising Rates Using Internet History: here
and...
IMF Would Like Internet History To Become Part Of Your Credit Score. Read Here
π SECURITY: USE CASE
Tor isn't just for anonymity / privacy. Tor Hidden Services protocol is superior to standard front facing https (standard websites).
π End-to-end encryption from Tor Browser tor client -> Webserver's tor client.
Anonymity potential for hosting offers a security bonus here - your webserver is safer when restricted to access as a Tor Hidden Service, offering limited access (and visibility). Much more difficult to obtain the IP, or even the hosting network (when setup correctly). Limiting attack surface.
π° MANY "MAINSTREAM" SITES HOST TOR HIDDEN SERVICES
Hosting a hidden service means you care about security, or the rights / privacy of your viewers.
Examples:
π‘ Funny thing about effective anonymity online is this: we can't pick and choose who is protected. It's not how this anonymity thing works.
Anything less than something able to protect everyone, compromises anonymity altogether. Compromises aren't possible.
Just as with any other measures of protection, when effective, a few bad apples may try to take advantage, but we should never allow this to compromise integrity.
π§ Tor is used to do good (majority of users).
Above From: This Article
β οΈ The end of safe anonymity online would spell the end of real Journalism.
(alternative options exist [worth mentioning]; we cover those coming up)
βοΈ BACK TO SNOWFLAKES
We started out looking at the browser extension option. This is a great option for those who want to give back / strengthen the Tor network. It's also fun to see how many users you are helping connect to the Tor network (see video: you can see how many you have helped each day)
VIDEO 1: Tor Snowflake Proxy Browser Extension (Firefox / Librewolf / Chrome)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfX1gUx0YDg
VIDEO 2: Building Tor Snowflake Proxy Source (See Below For Automated Installer)
After building Tor Snowflake proxy (video 2) for the first time, I noticing some users posting about their issues setting things up on their own.
Thought it could be helpful to offer a fully automated script. I hadn't seen one (but other nice options like ansible, docker, do exist).
This automated snowflake proxy installer sets everything up for you, starting up service (every boot).
If you change your mind, stop the service anytime with:
sudo systemctl stop snowflake && sudo systemctl disable snowflake
After seeing users post looking for help with their difficulties, I was wondering:
"how many potential βοΈ snowflakes might give up?"
The easier we can run snowflake bridges, the more potential bridges we have. In the end, growing the Tor network for everyone.
(βοΈ Snowflake browser extension makes a nice part-time option [point and click install])
IN COMES AUTOMATED TOR SNOWFLAKE SERVICE INSTALLER
Demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUVY-SzlxAM
The above video shows a single command installer, setting up a Tor Snowflake Proxy service, on a Pinephone (this works on any Linux device, using a distro based on systemd).
Whether you have a Linux Laptop, server, desktop, Pinephone, Librem5, Tablet, Fx, or single board computer, all can become a Tor Snowflake Proxy / Bridge.
βοΈ NEW: SNOWFLAKE UPGRADE OPTION
This week a new feature was added to the automated Snowflake Tor Proxy installer.
You can now upgrade your previous install (if installed with this script), with a single command.
Simply Run:
sudo bash install upgrade
βοΈ NEW UPGRADE COMMAND SCREENSHOT:
π DOWNLOAD AUTOMATED TOR SNOWFLAKE (use π§ π Tor browser)
Have you tried this? Say something in the comments:
βοΈ Together, we can become part of the solution.
(help recruit new snowflakes by sharing automated install script / post / videos above)
RELATED LINKS: