Anonymous surfing and strong encryption

There are several options:

• Configure Firefox to connect directly to sites/IP addresses you download from regularly (in Tools/Options/General/Connection Settings/No Proxy For...);
• Use an extension like TorButton, SwitchProxy or FoxyProxy to disable proxy usage when you start a download (you should then be able to resume proxy usage without having to wait for the download to finish);
• Proxomitron allows you to enable/disable a proxy via a checkbox - it can also be configured (via filters, for advanced users!) to route certain domains via another proxy, or not to use a proxy at all. It is principally an advanced web filter, but will function with any browser;
• For download managers, the What Do You Think Is The Best Download Manager thread has plenty of suggestions.

 

But won't the request for a download on a site without a proxy log my real IP and identity on the site?

 

The site will see (and be able to log) your IP address but only your ISP would be able to link that address with you as a person (unless you gave extra details to the site, like creating an account). Your ISP would be able to see the download also.

The point here is that file downloads are likely to be less indicative of your online activities (unless you download lots'o'pr0n) than websites visited and search engine queries (these especially can be highly revealing about a person). As such, any "non-sensitive" downloads (software updates, game demos, etc) should be done directly to reduce traffic on Tor and allow others faster access.

 

Just to add a note.
Your ISP can see many things others cannot see.
They will know what websites you watch, what files are dowloaded, and so on.
Your ISP is a super-spy to you if they use that information to do something evil (which may harm your privacy).

 

I thnk most people seeing this thread will understand this - however a system like Tor multiplies bandwidth usage and also relies on volunteers contributing bandwidth. As such, responsible users should try to avoid running large downloads (or P2P traffic) through it and limit it to web access, since this traffic contains the most information for any potential snooper.

 

I use SmartHide 1.0.1 beta, www.smarthide.com , by www.arovax.com , you have to register here to use it.

Just nothing...

 

Since Yannis seems intent on butting into every privacy thread with a plug for SmartHide, now would seem a good time to point out that a product like this is no better than most other commercial proxy products - you just put Arovax in the position of knowing all your online activity instead of your ISP.

 

Hi,
1. if activate JAP to use TOR proxy whether programs set to use JAP pass through TOR even JAP is at off ?
2. GAIM 2.x : working with SOCK5 proxy over TOR; but not working with HTTP(s) proxy with JAP (a http proxy) ?
thx

 

If you are using the JAP client then it can either use Tor or JAP but not both. If the JAP client is switched off, you will be using neither.

You've answered your own question, JAP handles HTTP, HTTPS and FTP only - to anonymise other types of traffic you need to use Tor.

 

For (1) : Is it still correct with your comments with what I mean :
- JAP still running with enabled "force through another proxy" for which I used PRIVOXY (HTTP, 127.0.01:811 or TOR (SOCK5, 127.0.0.1:9050) - notes, PRIVOXY is configured to 'convert' to SOCK5 TOR proxy srv, and anononymous is not enabled.
Can you confirm this.

thx.

 

That seems an unnecessarily complicated configuration given that JAP's client can access Tor directly. As described, your setup should work (albeit with higher resource usage than using the Tor or JAP clients on their own) but if you want confirmation, the best method is to install a packet sniffer and check the contents of packets sent out - non-encrypted ones will include visible data like the webpage you are accessing.