Firefox + Vidalia / Privoxy / Tor bundled as single EXE [test]
// June 17th, 2009 // Software
My Twitter feed seems to be filled at the moment with tweets about the situation in Iran, particularly the political censorship of access to social networking sites. The general gist of the tweets seems to be that we should all do something to help maintain open internet access… so I wondered what I could do to make a small contribution.
Now, the most popular way to facilitate said access seems to be using TOR. Tor is basically a service that lets you route internet traffic between random nodes across the world, thereby making sites effectively unblockable. Pretty cool, the preferred usage model is installing Firefox / Vidalia / Privoxy and Tor.
Now, this is a bit of a faff, and involves leaving a bunch of stuff on the machine you are using – not ideal. I figured a useful contribution could be using a tool such as the excellent Xenocode Virtual Application Studio to repack the apps such that they run from one EXE and are sandboxed from the machine you are running on. e.g. you can run from a USB stick without leaving traces.
Since I happen to have purchased aforementioned software, I have bundled up Firefox 3.0.11 with the Vidalia software bundle and i’m making it available here for download. Please note that I make NO warranties around this, but it seems to work – feedback is very very much appreciated.
DOWNLOADS IN ZIP FORMAT: (just unzip and run the EXE):
- My Server
- Rapidshare Mirror
After running, click the ENABLE TOR button down the bottom right of Firefox and then visit a site like http://www.showmyip.com to check it’s working!
When you exit, remember to exit the components aside from Firefox (i.e. Tor, Privoxy, Vidalia – would it be better if exiting FF exited them all?)
Finally, note the ‘Sandbox’ directory – this is your custom settings from the session – instead of being saved on the host machine, they’re saved in there, allowing you to persist your settings on, say, a USB stick, between launches.
If it’s useful, spread the word. and your feedback is very welcome!
Cheers,
P
EDIT: This version should now be x64 compatible.
1,199 Responses to “Firefox + Vidalia / Privoxy / Tor bundled as single EXE [test]”
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want 64bit!
OK OK, it's coming!
Version now online supports x64 too!
yes exiting ff to close everything would be better.
great work
"When you exit, remember to exit the components aside from Firefox (i.e. Tor, Privoxy, Vidalia – would it be better if exiting FF exited them all?)"
Please!
Great Work BTW
This is an awesome idea Paul, I can't seem to get it working though. Everything seems to load fine except privoxy, I get an error that reads:
—————————
Privoxy Error
—————————
Jun 17 16:18:57 Privoxy(00000c44) Fatal error: can't check configuration file 'config.txt': (error number 0)
Any ideas? I tried it on 2 thumb drives now.
Same error here, ideas?
Yeah same here, is there something i should do?
same here. I give up.
the links are dead just error 404 not found on this server
Xerobank has been around for quite some time aswell, it's the same thing more or less: https://xerobank.com/download/
This is a great idea. I know the best you can hope for is that everyone that uses this uses it for a noble cause. Even if that’s a high bar to hope for I think you will help a lot of folks that may need it the most.
Good job and good luck.
D
Looks very promising. Unfortunately, it's not working for me. Privoxy and Vidalia launch and start working, but Firefox doesn't launch. I'm running Windows 7 Build 7000.
In any case, I would definitely prefer it if exiting Firefox also exited everything else.
Srange, is firefox.exe in TaskManager? If so, kill it and try running it again?
P
How can I install add-on's for this? I need to install RealPlayer to it (which is installed and working on the other version of Firefox but doesn't in this one. What location do I need to put the plugins in?
Is there a XPI or something you can open in the firefox open menu?
Normal addons you can install as usual (via addons.mozilla.org), not used the Realplayer one specifically…
P
This thing is great!!
However, one request – as this is already TOR and time might be a factor, could you add AdBlock to it? Some might say NoScript too, but I would disagree, it often hides important function of a page.
AdBlock would reduce the traffic and at the same time for the network
thanks and great work!!
PS: Worked on Win7RC
I might have to take this one back – pretty much no ad appears. Whatever TOR andwhatsover do
Cool stuff! "Works as advertised."
Wow you know I agree with a genius MIT reviewer,Privoxy is better than Foxyproxy. I recommend this bundle over Foxyproxy. Any intelligentperson would download Tor now if they had Focksyprocksy
this doesn't work for me, but i really want it to. i'm using a mac… i don't know the name but it's one of the newest desktop ones. i used firefox, but the file failed and there is no TOR button. help?
I've just downloaded Tor but it doesn't seem to work as i can't enable it because it is not appearing at the bottom of my firefox screen…do u have any idea to solve this kind of problem?
i love u o.o
Isn’t this just a repeat of the “official” Tor Browser Bundle found at the Tor site: http://www.torproject.org/torbrowser/index.html.en
I applaud your effort – but why re-invent the wheel?
Yeah, just like justin. i cant enable either. SOMEONE HELP.
guys, i had the same issue (firefox not working). just ctrl+alt+del (or whatever you use to access task manager) and make sure firefox.exe. is not running, then try running firefox again.
this is so not cool, the tor project website is blocked in china too ><
wow Tor just got blocked. whats the deal china?
Thank you for this, its working at my house. later im going to test this out on the server at my college
omg…seriouslyy i need facebook!! ><
I stay in china & it does’nt work for me most of the times.Prob is Firefox does’nt open.I think all the above ppl with prob stay in China.For this is a preinstalled firefox browser required? Or should I uninstall any preinstalled firefox browser?
I live in Dalian, they will find the connections and they all go dead after a while. Easily fixed.
1. Bring up the vidalia control panel
2. Click on "set up relaying"
3. click on "network"
4. Check the box thats says: My ISP blocks connections to the Tor network
This allows you to manually input I.P. addresses to connect to. You can input as many as you like for reliable connections.
5. Email [FROM A GMAIL ACCOUNT ONLY] to "bridges@torproject.org" write in the main body of e-mail: 'get bridges" and send. You will recieve an automated response with 3 public I.P. addresses. You may do this as many times as you like.
6. Take the I.P. addresses and add them one by one. close the window and reconnect using TOR.
Anyone in Dalian want to go for a beer? Garethjbolton@yahoo.com
I used this in Shenzhen china yesterday… it worked fine…
I am in Shanghai. Ran the .exe and Vidalia cannot seem to connect to Tor network.
in Wuxi, everything's working. thanks!
Paul,on behalf of all facebook users in China, thank you so much!
Thank you! You are the best!!! I’m so happy to have mty contact with the outside world back! Great kharma to you my friend! xx
can’t open the Tor download link? what should I do?
I have a mac and this does not work for my computer. Is there another way to make it work? I am in China and cannot get on facebook because my other proxy is blocked. any advice?
paul, i have it all on my computer..
but when i lauched the tor, i can not get conected to the tor network (only half way and freezed)..
any idea what should i do..?
I’ve been using it for 2 weeks (great software! and thank you) .. but then suddenly the tor is unable to connect
what should i do?
I live in china, could it possible that this is also blocked?
Thank you a lot
I also used Tor/Vidalia in China a few weeks ago and now it’s not working any more… when I want to connect I get the following message: “connecting to a relay directory failed, no route to host”
Does anyone know how to solve this problem please?
Thanks!
Hi guys, staying in Suzhou, the same problem – using two weeks, now the same message …no route to host…
Any idea? PLS!!!
So I have the worst combination: Mac and living in China. I downloaded the program as well at the office’s PC and I have the same problem than Kris.
It seems that the Great Wall is working fast for the 60th anniversary…
Any ideas about how to run the program in Mac will be very welcome!
I’ve had some of the same problems as above (couldn’t connect to tor, and even when I got connected, I still couldn’t access FB), after some tinkering I got it working again by running a bridge relay:
-on the Vidalia control panel click “Setup Relaying”
-click the “Network” tab
-check the box next to “My ISP blocks connections to the Tor network”
-add some brdige relays (click “How do I find a brige” for instructions)
Also, sometimes after FB surfing a little while, I noticed some lag, or even a complete stop altogether, in this case a “Use a New Identity” click usually does the trick.
~Nacho, Shanghai~
btw- Paul: you rule.
Thanks, Nacho! I followed your method, and now my tor works! I sent a email to bridges@torproject.org, and it replied me immediately.
I live in china, had vidalia as a proxy was working fine up until a few days. after it starts it stops midway with “no route to host”.
need help
thanks
It works. THanks Nacho!@_@
Thanks Nacho, you’re great !
hey, this is good and im sure it will work but the problem is it says it needs a password for the TOR. Any suggestions???
tysm, charlie
stayin in HZ til January. Tried the nacho thing… I was amazed. Tor works. Facebook isnt tho -__- what to I do know? change bridges? probably not as tor does work…. any suggestions? helps is appreciated!
Hey Paul,
I’m running Ubuntu Linux here in PRC, tried this through Virtual Box but the privoxy search for config didn’t go. Possibly because I run chrome on the virtual windows, not firefox, ok, ok i’m dling now. But i see some mixed responses from others above and mostly i’d love to have a native UL version. Any chances of that or any sources for it that you or others know about?
tnx
I am in Hangzhou, China and trying to get this to work. When I click on the start.exe I get an error from Privoxy that says:
“Sep 29 10:02:46 Privoxy(00001378) Fatal error: can’t bind to 127.0.0.1:8118 because (error number 10106)”
I added some bridges to Tor in Vidalia, but that also can’t connect. Not sure what the problem is, any suggestions?
Nope it’s not working in Virtual Box with a windows guest. The problem I am guessing is the aforementioned “config.txt file. What happens in the GUI is that it tries to dial out to the ISP, which being a virtual box it can’t do. so it is unhappy. do you think Tor might have a solution , or VB? or anyone else out there?
Hi guys,
I live in Hangzhou for the time beeing, same problem as stated before. Tor (and Facebook, utube) worked for couple of weeks and suddenly it stopped. I did add bridges and Tor is working fine now, but i just cant open facebook, youtuve or any other blocked pages.
Has anyone an idea why that is?
Please help. i’m desperate T_T
ty….
Hey,
First let me say thanks for an awesome bundle. Program was setup without a hitch, nice to get something that works from the get go for a change!
Also any chance you can explain how to add Flash/enable Java Script into this for me, I keep getting requests to install the add-on on various sites, youtube being the first example, would really appreciate it, not sure why?
To gonzaro, in China myself, don’t forget that you may need to cycle bridges, change them every now and again as they do block them on as they become aware of them, I’m not having any trouble accessing Facebook and Youtube through the same program. Sorry I can’t be of mor help
This seems to be about the coolest thing I’ve ever installed.
There I was….In Suzhou, China……Unable to access Facebook or YouTube.
This package allows me to surf where-ever I like….
A million thanks for putting this together!
You are the man!
how can i watch utube? it says ‘you need the latest flash player to see this video’. how can i connect the flashplayer with the bundle? cuz with accessible sites it works normally….
anybody know?
I also used Firefox+Tor/Vidalia in China and now it’s not working any more… when I want to connect I get the following message: “connecting to a relay directory failed, no route to host”
so google here.
and Nacho way is the right one to resolve this issue.
just use gmail to send a email to “bridges@torproject.org” with the title and content the same one”get bridges” and you will get the bridges.
e.g.
bridge 83.226.198.100:9443
bridge 69.60.117.34:9001
bridge 129.25.12.181:443
and there is a chinese tutorial for this step by step.
http://ow.ly/s6Kh