You can do other changes to the interface using the other tabs.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Changing the Color of Command Prompt
If you are tired of seeing a black and white Command Prompt change its color. This is a pretty easy task. Launch Command Prompt by clicking Start>Run>type cmd and hit Enter. Right-click on the title bar of Command Prompt (all the way to the top of the interface) and choose Properties. Click the Colors tab and there you can pick and choose which colors you want to assign to the background of Command Prompt and the color of the text used. If you do not like any of the color blocks shown in this tab, just go under the "Selected Color Values" column and assign random numbers (from 0 to 255) in the Red, Green and Blue entry boxes until you find the right color combination that you like.
Google Redirecting & XP Flipping
Stop Google Redirection
Those who live outside the United States can relate to this. Ever get annoyed when you go tohttp://www.google.com
and Google redirects your browser to your country domain? For example if you are in Sweden (love those meatballs) and you go to Google's search page it will take you to http://www.google.se/
. If you live in Malaysia, Google will redirect your browser tohttp://www.google.com.my/
, and so on. Now, if you don't want to get redirected to your local Google site what do you have to do?
There is actually a simple trick to avoid that. You can just add "ncr" to Google's address after the slash at the end of its URL. In other words, just type http://www.google.com/ncr
. That will lead you to the original Google homepage, without the redirection. If you're curious to know what "ncr" stands for it is just an acronym for "no country redirection".
Just Flippin' For Ya!
This is a simple prank that you can play on someone who still uses Windows XP. Just hit CTRL+Alt+(Arrow Down) on their keyboard and VOILA (!!!) the display on their screen goes upside down...hehe...Pretend you didn't do it and let him say a few expletives. hehehe...Now, to undo it, just hit CTRL+Alt+(Arrow Up). If you suffer bodily harm for this we take no responsibility for it.
This prank works on machines with an INTEL video driver. Meaning if you are using an ATI video card or something other than INTEL it won't work unless you are running XP Tablet Edition. See the information below:
The Ctrl-Alt-Direction key sequence is supposed to be used for changing the screen
orientation. For example, some monitors could be hang upside down for mounting purposes.
Ctrl-Alt-Up – right side up
Ctrl-Alt-Right – 90 degrees
Ctrl-Alt-Down – 180 degrees
Ctrl-Alt-Left – 270 degrees
(If that doesn't work, try Ctrl-Shift-R)
This is a feature in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
No harm will come to the computer when you do this trick even if it doesn't apply to that particular machine.
AntiFreeze
Official Site - http://www.resplendence.com/antifreeze
Works on: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003 (x86 and x64)
When your computer just sits there not responding to anything that you do to it, including the 3-finger salute (CTRL+ALT+DELETE), the only thing that you can do to it is to force it to shut down by turning it off using the power switch or pressing reset switch. The bad thing about that is if you are doing some work on some open programs when the freeze occurred all that work won't be saved. An alternative solution in unfreezing your system maybe the use of the freeware AntiFreeze as a last resort. The authors of the program wisely promise that it is not guaranteed to work, but it does give you a second chance. AntiFreeze will only work when:
- One or more programs are doing very intensive tasks, they consume so much processor cycles that the system becomes unresponsive
- One or more programs consume so much memory that the swapping file is heavily used, overloading the system
- Programs are running with a scheduling priority which is so high that they consume all processor resources
- Too many programs are running at the same time and they all have to compete for attention from the processor
When invoked via CTRL+Windows+ALT+Home, it gives you the option of suspending all active processes except those essential for Windows, giving you the chance to shut down whichever process has locked your system. It's just a matter of picking and choosing the offending processes that you can terminate so your system can resume normally again, giving you a chance to at least save your work. The suspend/resume function of the program does work as advertised when I tested it. Since it is free, there's nothing to lose if you check it out, especially if you are consistently experiencing system freezes that your Task Manager can't do anything about. Very often the system is so busy that even the Task Manager will not be able to help you.
AntiFreeze is a utility with a very small footprint, sitting in your tray, waiting for you to press the hotkey combination (ALT+CTRL+WIN+HOME by default). You should use it only in emergency situations, consider it an alternative for the reset button.
Download Links
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,74359/description.html?tk=nl_ddxdwn
http://majorgeeks.com/AntiFreeze_d5863.html
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Windows Password Recovery Tool
For Windows 7
There are those of you who have forgotten your own computer login password and now don't know what to do. There are many ways that you can fix this problem. We will introduce you to one such solution so you can regain access to your PC quickly and safely (without changing any files and settings).
This TechRepublic article shows you how to create and use a Password Reset Disk in Windows 7 using a USB Flash Drive rather than a CD or floppy disk:
Keep in mind that the same procedure can be used in Windows Vista.
Use a USB Flash Drive to create Windows Password Reset Disk in Windows 7
The Password Reset file weighs in at only 2KB, it is the perfect use for an old USB Flash Drive. If there is any data on it, you may want to remove it because this procedure involves formatting the flash drive.
Insert your USB Flash Drive and wait for it to be initialized and assigned a drive letter. Now to make sure that the disk is in the best shape that it can be, you should format it. Right-click on the drive letter in Computer and select the Format command. When you see the Format dialog box, as shown in Figure A, just click the Start button:
Figure A
http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6221061-267-464.jpg
Once the drive is ready to use, click the Start button and type User Accounts in the Start Search box. Then, press [Enter] or click User Accounts in the results panel. Either way, you’ll see the User Accounts window and will need to locate and click Create a Password Reset Disk in the Tasks panel, as shown in Figure B:
Figure B
http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6221062-620-473.jpg
When you see the Forgotten Password Wizard’s Welcome screen, take a look at the information and click Next. When you see the next screen, you’ll be prompted to choose your USB Flash Drive’s drive letter, as shown in Figure C. To continue, just click Next:
Figure C
http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6221063-513-447.jpg
On the next screen, you’ll be prompted to type your password, as shown in Figure D. Then, click Next:
Figure D
http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6221064-513-447.jpg
As soon as you do, you’ll see a progress bar that will move rapidly along to 100 percent. You’ll then click Next and will see the last screen in the Forgotten Password Wizard. To complete the operation, click Finish.
You should then click the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon, choose your USB Flash Drive’s drive letter, and then, when prompted to do so, remove the drive. You should label the drive and put it away in a safe place.
Now, you may be tempted to label the drive “Password Reset.” However, since anyone who happens upon this drive can use it to bypass your password and break in to your computer, I suggest a more subtle label — something that will help you recognize the drive but that isn’t so obvious.
Using a Password Reset Disk
If you ever forget and type in an incorrect password, the login screen will change and an error message will appear like the one shown in Figure E. To continue, you will have to click OK:
Figure E
http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6221065-456-328.jpg
You’ll then return to the login screen and will see a message appear below the Password box, as shown in Figure F. At this point, you’ll insert your USB Flash Drive and wait for it to be initialized and assigned a drive letter. Then, to launch the Password Reset Wizard, click the "Reset password..." link:
Figure F
http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6221066-456-329.jpg
When you see the Password Reset Wizard’s Welcome screen, take a look at the information and click Next. In the next screen, you’ll be prompted to choose your USB Flash Drive’s drive letter, as shown in Figure G. To continue, just click Next:
Figure G
http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6221067-513-397.jpg
Once you select the drive, the Password Reset Wizard will open the saved file, read your saved password, and perform a few operations in the background. The wizard will then prompt you to create a new password, confirm it, as well as create a new hint, as shown in Figure H:
Figure H
http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6221068-513-397.jpg
Once you’ve filled in the text boxes, click Next. You’ll then see the success screen and will need to click Finish to complete the operation. You can now use the new password to log on to your Windows 7 system.
IMPORTANT!!!!:For other free alternatives to Windows 7 Password Reset, go to this site:
As soon as you use the Password Reset Wizard to change your password, the information in the password reset file on the USB Flash Drive will be outdated. Therefore, as soon as you log back in to Windows, you should run the Forgotten Password Wizard again and create a new password reset file.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/passrecovery.htm
Someone even posted a way to reset the Windows 7 password using the Ubuntu disc:
https://groups.google.com/group/cofsug/browse_thread/thread/e960e6ff2265f786/9c46e2db0d1943b1?hl=en&q=how+to+create+Password+Reset+disk+for+windows+7#9c46e2db0d1943b1
This one is a small free Password reset tool. Install it on your USB drive and you can reset your password, create an account, raise an account to Administrator on ANY local account. Works on Windows 7, XP, and probably on Vista too. It requires a reboot and a BIOS that understands USB bootup media. This may not work on encrypted drive:
http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/
Anti-Gauss Malware Tools
Free Gauss detection tools
SOURCE: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230170/Security_experts_push_free_Gauss_detection_tools
Kaspersky Lab and the Laboratory of Cryptography and System Security (CrySys) at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, both security organizations, have released online tools for Windows users that check for possible infections by Gauss, the newly-revealed cyber surveillance malware, suspected to have been built by one or more governments. According to Kaspersky, this malware monitors financial transactions with Middle Eastern banks. The coding practices used in this malware is similar to those used in Flame, an advanced spying and data-stealing toolkit that targeted Iranian computers. Flame has a notable ability to fake the Windows Update service as a way to infect updated Windows machine. Kaspersky doubts that Gauss is just a run-of-the-mill money-stealing Trojan.
Both CrySys and Kaspersky sniff out Gauss by looking for a custom-built font, dubbed "Palida Narrow," that the malware adds to infected machines. The use of this font still baffles security experts.
The CrySys Gauss-detecting tool is available here:
http://gauss.crysys.hu/results.php
Both CrySys and Kaspersky sniff out Gauss by looking for a custom-built font, dubbed "Palida Narrow," that the malware adds to infected machines. The use of this font still baffles security experts.
The CrySys Gauss-detecting tool is available here:
http://gauss.crysys.hu/results.php
Kaspersky's Gauss sniffer can be found here:
https://www.securelist.com/en/blog/724/Online_Detection_of_Gauss
https://www.securelist.com/en/blog/724/Online_Detection_of_Gauss
Many antivirus programs, including those from Kaspersky and Symantec, also detect Gauss through their traditional signature-based software. So, folks, consider yourself warned. You know what to do. Either use one or both tools listed above or use Kaspersky and Symantic antiviruses to scan your computers. Don't forget to update their database first before you scan.
There are still many facets of Gauss that remain mysterious, including whether relies on one or more unpatched bugs -- "zero days" in security speak -- to compromise infected computers. One payload that Gauss installs is heavily encrypted, making it difficult for security firms to analyze it for now.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Finding Duplicate Files
Someone in My Computer Headaches Yahoogroup asked how he could speed up the task of finding duplicate files in his voluminous collection of photos. We suggested this (FDFF):
There is a PRO version available that is a more fully featured if you like the experience with the FREE version. With the FREE version we like the option it has for saving search results and projects so you can more quickly rerun checks for hard drive maintenance when necessary. This program also prevents system files and folders from showing up in the search fields as a safety net for disk corruption. I'm sure you will find several other SIMILAR dupe-finding utilities but it is very important to first find out that they won't include system files since there are a few of these files that really are duplicates of the originals. However, there is a purpose for that. If you delete those system file duplicates you might end up reinstalling Windows or having more serious problems. It also features two specialty searches: graphics and music. However, these functions are now limited in the free version. FDFF also shows a preview of image files it finds, and offers some helpful filters you can apply to make copying or deleting the newest or oldest copies, for instance, very simple.
Official Site - http://www.mindgems.com/products/Fast-Duplicate-File-Finder/Fast-Duplicate-File-Finder-About.htm
Here are other freeware alternatives for finding duplicate photos:
http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=8786
http://lifehacker.com/5535510/clean-up-your-photo-collection-with-free-tools
Some of the best freeware suggestions can be found here:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-duplicate-file-detector.htm
Fast Duplicate File Finder Helps You Weed Out Extra Files--For Free
By Preston Gralla, PCWorld
Feb 20, 2010
With photos, videos, and music files clogging up your hard disk, it's harder than ever to keep it clean, trim, and free of duplicates. Use freebie Fast Duplicate File Finder, though, and you'll be able to find duplicate files with ease, and keep your hard disk in tip-top shape.
True to its name, Fast Duplicate File Finder quickly finds duplicate files.
Fast Duplicate File Finder doesn't merely compare file names or file sizes; it does a file comparison at the binary level. This is particularly important when looking for music, video, and other media files, because you may have files with two different names, which are otherwise identical. It's got plenty of nice-to-have features, such as determining whether to delete duplicates or move them to the Recycle Bin or a custom folder; the ability to preview files before deleting them; and support for removable media such as USB drives.
Fast Duplicate File finder is simple to use, goes about its work quickly, and it's free. It's this simple: If you're looking to trim your hard disk by deleting duplicate files, it won't lead you wrong.
There is a PRO version available that is a more fully featured if you like the experience with the FREE version. With the FREE version we like the option it has for saving search results and projects so you can more quickly rerun checks for hard drive maintenance when necessary. This program also prevents system files and folders from showing up in the search fields as a safety net for disk corruption. I'm sure you will find several other SIMILAR dupe-finding utilities but it is very important to first find out that they won't include system files since there are a few of these files that really are duplicates of the originals. However, there is a purpose for that. If you delete those system file duplicates you might end up reinstalling Windows or having more serious problems. It also features two specialty searches: graphics and music. However, these functions are now limited in the free version. FDFF also shows a preview of image files it finds, and offers some helpful filters you can apply to make copying or deleting the newest or oldest copies, for instance, very simple.
Official Site - http://www.mindgems.com/products/Fast-Duplicate-File-Finder/Fast-Duplicate-File-Finder-About.htm
Here are other freeware alternatives for finding duplicate photos:
http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=8786
http://lifehacker.com/5535510/clean-up-your-photo-collection-with-free-tools
Some of the best freeware suggestions can be found here:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-duplicate-file-detector.htm
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
How to Use Vidalia/TOR on Firefox & Google Chrome
Vidalia Bundle vs. Tor Bundle
What is the difference between the Vidalia Bundle and the Tor Bundle?
The Tor program by itself does the legwork of building circuits and passing data to/from the network. It has no GUI and acts based on settings in the torrc text file. Tor is available on its own in the "Expert Packages" section of the download page, as the only people using Tor on its own are likely bridge, relay, and exit operators who know what they're doing. It's not a "bundle" per se.
Vidalia is GUI program that interacts with Tor and makes its settings easier to handle, along with other nifty features such as viewing the network, logs, etc. The "Vidalia Bundle" on the download page is designed to be installed on a computer you'll be using Tor on regularly. That is, it isn't "portable", can't easily be carried with you on a USB key or CD, and doesn't come with an internet browser. The bundle includes Polipo, which makes funneling HTTP and SOCKS proxies into Tor easier and safer.
The "Tor Browser Bundle" is the same set of programs, together with a locked-down version of Firefox, that is designed to be completely portable. You don't have to install it, so it's easy to carry with you on a USB key or CD. Tor, Vidalia, Polipo, and the customized Firefox are all seamlessly started with a single button in this package. Some experts recommend using this bundle, instead of the Vidalia bundle, because it uses the Tor browser. Tor does not protect all of your computer's Internet traffic when you run it. Tor only protects your applications that are properly configured to send their Internet traffic through Tor. To avoid problems with Tor configuration, they strongly recommend using the Tor Browser Bundle. It is pre-configured to protect your privacy and anonymity on the web as long as you're browsing with the Tor Browser itself. Almost any other web browser configuration is likely to be unsafe to use with Tor. The Tor Browser will block browser plugins such as Flash, RealPlayer, Quicktime, and others because they can be manipulated into revealing your IP address. Similarly, they do not recommend installing additional addons or plugins into the Tor Browser, as these may bypass Tor or otherwise harm your anonymity and privacy. The lack of plugins means that Youtube videos are blocked by default, but Youtube does provide an experimental opt-in feature (enable it here) that works for some videos. Tor will encrypt your traffic to and within the Tor network, but the encryption of your traffic to the final destination website depends upon that website. To help ensure private encryption to websites, the Tor Browser Bundle includes HTTPS Everywhere to force the use of HTTPS encryption with major websites that support it. However, you should still watch the browser URL bar to ensure that websites you provide sensitive information to display a blue or green URL bar button, include https:// in the URL, and display the proper expected name for the website. The Tor Browser will warn you before automatically opening documents that are handled by external applications. DO NOT IGNORE THIS WARNING. Tor tries to prevent attackers from learning what destination websites you connect to. However, by default, it does not prevent somebody watching your Internet traffic from learning that you're using Tor. If this matters to you, you can reduce this risk by configuring Tor to use a Tor bridge relay rather than connecting directly to the public Tor network.
All of this information is available on the download pages and in the documentation. Do read through them.
Download Links
Stable Vidalia Bundle works with Windows 7, Vista, XP
http://www.net-security.org/software.php?id=253
Tor Browser Bundle (English) version 1.3.24, works with Windows 7, Vista, and XP
https://www.torproject.org/dist/torbrowser/tor-browser-1.3.24_en-US.exe
Tor - Anonymity Online
https://www.torproject.org/index.html.en
Protect your privacy. Defend yourself against network surveillance and traffic analysis.
Tor prevents anyone from learning your location or browsing habits.
Tor is for web browsers, instant messaging clients, remote logins, and more.
Tor is free and open source for Windows, Mac, Linux/Unix, and Android
Tor protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world. It prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, and prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location. Tor works with many common existing applications, including web browsers, instant messaging clients, remote login, and other applications based on the TCP protocol.
How to use Tor with Firefox
1. Download and install Tor. Make sure you get the bundle that includes Vidalia and Polipo:
https://www.torproject.org/download/download.html
2. Install Torbutton for Firefox (for Firefox below version 4):
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/torbutton/
Make sure you get it from the link above and not from the Tor bundle if yours includes Torbutton.
If you have Firefox 4, Torbutton will not install since it doesn't support Firefox 4. Skip Step 2. If you try to install the Vidalia Bundle that you downloaded in Step 1, it will try to install the Torbutton also but it will fail. That's OK. This will not be a problem with other versions of Firefox. Skip Step 2 also since Torbutton is already included in the Vidalia Bundle.
3. Restart Firefox.
4. Open up Vidalia and start Tor (or click Start>Vidalia Bundle>Vidalia). The Vidalia Control Panel should pop up. Just click "Start Tor". The green progress bar should start moving towards the right of the panel until Tor engages completely. Just click the HIDE button to hide the Vidalia Control Panel in your System Tray. If you want to access it again, all you have to do is doubleclick the green onion icon in System Tray and it should show up again.
5. In Firefox 3.X.X you should see the Torbutton at the bottom right corner (on the Status Bar) and it's probably labeled in red texts. Just click it to enable Tor which will turn its label to green.
6. To find out what your new IP address is just go to http://ipchicken.com.
7. To stop using Tor, just click the Torbutton icon again which will turn its label to red. To completely stop Tor, go back to Vidalia (doubleclick the GREEN ONION icon in your System Tray) and click Stop Tor. OR rightclick the green onion icon in your System Tray and choose Exit.
The Tor Project are working on a version of their add-on for Firefox 4.
Meantime you don't have to wait for Tor Project to release the final version of Torbutton for Firefox 4. You can still install the Vidalia Bundle in Firefox 4 without the Torbutton being installed. Instead, you can install the alpha version that includes Firefox 4 support from https://www.torproject.org/torbutton .
So, first install the Vidalia Bundle and then the alpha version of the Torbutton (see link above).
Note: As this is an alpha version there may be bugs with the add-on.
I've been using it and nothing catastrophic had happened so far.
After you install it you will find an icon with an "X" on the left side of the Address or URL box in Firefox. Just click it to connect to TOR (you must first run Vidalia, of course) and the "X" should disappear. That should connect you to the Tor network. Go tohttp://ipchicken to know your new IP address.
That's it! Easy as eating pie!
How to Use Tor on Google Chrome
So far TOR or the Vidalia Bundle is only being used on Firefox since there is no version of the TorButton that supports Google Chrome.
Here is what I've done to make Tor work in Google Chrome:
1. Download and install the Stable Vidalia Bundle:
http://www.torproject.org/easy-download.html
2. Install the extension Proxy Switchy. Do that by using Google Chrome and going to this site:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/caehdcpeofiiigpdhbabniblemipncjj
While there, click the Install button. Proceed as instructed.
3. Restart Google Chrome.
4. You will notice that there is a new gray circular icon, that looks like a gray globe, on the right side of the Address or URL box in Chrome. Rightclick it and choose Options. Switchy! Options page should appear as a new tab in Google Chrome.
5. Enter the following settings in the appropriate fields:
In the Proxy Profiles tab, enter the following settings.
- Profile Name: Tor
Choose Manual Configuration.
- Under Manual Configuration:
SOCKS Host: localhost
Port: 9050
Then click the Save button.
6. Go to the General tab.
Under "Quick Switch" click "Binary Switch" (a dot should appear on the circle preceeding "Binary Switch").
The 2 entry boxes should have the following settings:
- Profile 1: [Direct Connection]
- Profile 2: Tor
Click the Save button.
7. To turn on the Tor/Vidalia connection, just click the globular icon. It should turn blue to signify it is enabled. To find out what your new IP address is, just go to http://ipchicken.com. To stop using Tor/Vidalia, just click the globular icon again to disable it (it should turn gray again).
You'll need to make sure the TOR software is actively running when you hit your Proxy Switchy! button in Chrome. To check if Chrome is actively using TOR for its browsing, rightclick the TOR button in your system tray (or, on a Mac, click the onion icon in your status bar) and open the bandwidth monitor tool. Browse to a site with some decently large images, and if TOR's bandwidth transfer moves up, you're browsing the web anonymously through TOR and Chrome.
This applies to both Firefox and Google Chrome:
To change IP address, just launch the Vidalia Control Panel by doubleclicking the green onion in your System Tray. Then click "Use a New Identity". To confirm your new IP address, just go back to IPCHICKEN and take note of your new IP address.
What is the difference between the Vidalia Bundle and the Tor Bundle?
The Tor program by itself does the legwork of building circuits and passing data to/from the network. It has no GUI and acts based on settings in the torrc text file. Tor is available on its own in the "Expert Packages" section of the download page, as the only people using Tor on its own are likely bridge, relay, and exit operators who know what they're doing. It's not a "bundle" per se.
Vidalia is GUI program that interacts with Tor and makes its settings easier to handle, along with other nifty features such as viewing the network, logs, etc. The "Vidalia Bundle" on the download page is designed to be installed on a computer you'll be using Tor on regularly. That is, it isn't "portable", can't easily be carried with you on a USB key or CD, and doesn't come with an internet browser. The bundle includes Polipo, which makes funneling HTTP and SOCKS proxies into Tor easier and safer.
The "Tor Browser Bundle" is the same set of programs, together with a locked-down version of Firefox, that is designed to be completely portable. You don't have to install it, so it's easy to carry with you on a USB key or CD. Tor, Vidalia, Polipo, and the customized Firefox are all seamlessly started with a single button in this package. Some experts recommend using this bundle, instead of the Vidalia bundle, because it uses the Tor browser. Tor does not protect all of your computer's Internet traffic when you run it. Tor only protects your applications that are properly configured to send their Internet traffic through Tor. To avoid problems with Tor configuration, they strongly recommend using the Tor Browser Bundle. It is pre-configured to protect your privacy and anonymity on the web as long as you're browsing with the Tor Browser itself. Almost any other web browser configuration is likely to be unsafe to use with Tor. The Tor Browser will block browser plugins such as Flash, RealPlayer, Quicktime, and others because they can be manipulated into revealing your IP address. Similarly, they do not recommend installing additional addons or plugins into the Tor Browser, as these may bypass Tor or otherwise harm your anonymity and privacy. The lack of plugins means that Youtube videos are blocked by default, but Youtube does provide an experimental opt-in feature (enable it here) that works for some videos. Tor will encrypt your traffic to and within the Tor network, but the encryption of your traffic to the final destination website depends upon that website. To help ensure private encryption to websites, the Tor Browser Bundle includes HTTPS Everywhere to force the use of HTTPS encryption with major websites that support it. However, you should still watch the browser URL bar to ensure that websites you provide sensitive information to display a blue or green URL bar button, include https:// in the URL, and display the proper expected name for the website. The Tor Browser will warn you before automatically opening documents that are handled by external applications. DO NOT IGNORE THIS WARNING. Tor tries to prevent attackers from learning what destination websites you connect to. However, by default, it does not prevent somebody watching your Internet traffic from learning that you're using Tor. If this matters to you, you can reduce this risk by configuring Tor to use a Tor bridge relay rather than connecting directly to the public Tor network.
All of this information is available on the download pages and in the documentation. Do read through them.
Download Links
Stable Vidalia Bundle works with Windows 7, Vista, XP
http://www.net-security.org/software.php?id=253
Tor Browser Bundle (English) version 1.3.24, works with Windows 7, Vista, and XP
https://www.torproject.org/dist/torbrowser/tor-browser-1.3.24_en-US.exe
Tor - Anonymity Online
https://www.torproject.org/index.html.en
Protect your privacy. Defend yourself against network surveillance and traffic analysis.
Tor prevents anyone from learning your location or browsing habits.
Tor is for web browsers, instant messaging clients, remote logins, and more.
Tor is free and open source for Windows, Mac, Linux/Unix, and Android
Tor protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world. It prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, and prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location. Tor works with many common existing applications, including web browsers, instant messaging clients, remote login, and other applications based on the TCP protocol.
How to use Tor with Firefox
1. Download and install Tor. Make sure you get the bundle that includes Vidalia and Polipo:
https://www.torproject.org/download/download.html
2. Install Torbutton for Firefox (for Firefox below version 4):
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/torbutton/
Make sure you get it from the link above and not from the Tor bundle if yours includes Torbutton.
If you have Firefox 4, Torbutton will not install since it doesn't support Firefox 4. Skip Step 2. If you try to install the Vidalia Bundle that you downloaded in Step 1, it will try to install the Torbutton also but it will fail. That's OK. This will not be a problem with other versions of Firefox. Skip Step 2 also since Torbutton is already included in the Vidalia Bundle.
3. Restart Firefox.
4. Open up Vidalia and start Tor (or click Start>Vidalia Bundle>Vidalia). The Vidalia Control Panel should pop up. Just click "Start Tor". The green progress bar should start moving towards the right of the panel until Tor engages completely. Just click the HIDE button to hide the Vidalia Control Panel in your System Tray. If you want to access it again, all you have to do is doubleclick the green onion icon in System Tray and it should show up again.
5. In Firefox 3.X.X you should see the Torbutton at the bottom right corner (on the Status Bar) and it's probably labeled in red texts. Just click it to enable Tor which will turn its label to green.
6. To find out what your new IP address is just go to http://ipchicken.com.
7. To stop using Tor, just click the Torbutton icon again which will turn its label to red. To completely stop Tor, go back to Vidalia (doubleclick the GREEN ONION icon in your System Tray) and click Stop Tor. OR rightclick the green onion icon in your System Tray and choose Exit.
The Tor Project are working on a version of their add-on for Firefox 4.
Meantime you don't have to wait for Tor Project to release the final version of Torbutton for Firefox 4. You can still install the Vidalia Bundle in Firefox 4 without the Torbutton being installed. Instead, you can install the alpha version that includes Firefox 4 support from https://www.torproject.org/torbutton .
So, first install the Vidalia Bundle and then the alpha version of the Torbutton (see link above).
Note: As this is an alpha version there may be bugs with the add-on.
I've been using it and nothing catastrophic had happened so far.
After you install it you will find an icon with an "X" on the left side of the Address or URL box in Firefox. Just click it to connect to TOR (you must first run Vidalia, of course) and the "X" should disappear. That should connect you to the Tor network. Go tohttp://ipchicken to know your new IP address.
That's it! Easy as eating pie!
How to Use Tor on Google Chrome
So far TOR or the Vidalia Bundle is only being used on Firefox since there is no version of the TorButton that supports Google Chrome.
Here is what I've done to make Tor work in Google Chrome:
1. Download and install the Stable Vidalia Bundle:
http://www.torproject.org/easy-download.html
2. Install the extension Proxy Switchy. Do that by using Google Chrome and going to this site:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/caehdcpeofiiigpdhbabniblemipncjj
While there, click the Install button. Proceed as instructed.
3. Restart Google Chrome.
4. You will notice that there is a new gray circular icon, that looks like a gray globe, on the right side of the Address or URL box in Chrome. Rightclick it and choose Options. Switchy! Options page should appear as a new tab in Google Chrome.
5. Enter the following settings in the appropriate fields:
In the Proxy Profiles tab, enter the following settings.
- Profile Name: Tor
Choose Manual Configuration.
- Under Manual Configuration:
SOCKS Host: localhost
Port: 9050
Then click the Save button.
6. Go to the General tab.
Under "Quick Switch" click "Binary Switch" (a dot should appear on the circle preceeding "Binary Switch").
The 2 entry boxes should have the following settings:
- Profile 1: [Direct Connection]
- Profile 2: Tor
Click the Save button.
7. To turn on the Tor/Vidalia connection, just click the globular icon. It should turn blue to signify it is enabled. To find out what your new IP address is, just go to http://ipchicken.com. To stop using Tor/Vidalia, just click the globular icon again to disable it (it should turn gray again).
You'll need to make sure the TOR software is actively running when you hit your Proxy Switchy! button in Chrome. To check if Chrome is actively using TOR for its browsing, rightclick the TOR button in your system tray (or, on a Mac, click the onion icon in your status bar) and open the bandwidth monitor tool. Browse to a site with some decently large images, and if TOR's bandwidth transfer moves up, you're browsing the web anonymously through TOR and Chrome.
This applies to both Firefox and Google Chrome:
To change IP address, just launch the Vidalia Control Panel by doubleclicking the green onion in your System Tray. Then click "Use a New Identity". To confirm your new IP address, just go back to IPCHICKEN and take note of your new IP address.
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