Privoxy Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ gives quick answers to frequently asked questions about +> This FAQ gives quick answers to frequently asked questions about

What is Privoxy?

Privoxy is a +> Privoxy is a non-caching web proxy - with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting - privacy, modifying web page data, managing + with advanced filtering capabilities for enhancing privacy, + modifying web page data, managing HTTP cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups and other obnoxious - Internet junk. Privoxy has a very flexible configuration and can be + Internet junk. Privoxy has a flexible configuration and can be customized to suit individual needs and tastes. Privoxy has application for both stand-alone systems and multi-user networks.

Privoxy is based on Internet Junkbuster (tm).

Please note that this document is a work in progress. This copy represents - the state at the release of version 3.0.6. + the state at the release of version 3.0.11. You can find the latest version of the document at

1.1. Who should use Privoxy?Who should give Privoxy a try?
1.2.
1.6. Why "Privoxy"
1.9. Can Privoxy make mistakes? This does not sound very scientific.
1.10. Will I have to configure Privoxy before I can use it?
2.4. Can I install - Privoxy over Junkbuster?
2.5. I just installed Privoxy. Is there anything special I have to do now?
2.6. 2.5. What is the proxy address of Privoxy?
2.7. 2.6. I just installed Privoxy, and nothing is happening. All the ads are there. What's wrong?
2.8. 2.7. I get a
3.4. There are several different "actions"
3.11. What is the default.filter
3.13. Instead of ads, now I get a checkerboard pattern. I don't want to see anything.
3.14. Why would anybody want to see a checkerboard pattern?
3.15. I see some images being replaced by a text +HREF="configuration.html#AEN552" +>I see some images being replaced with text instead of the checkerboard image. Why and how do I get rid of this?

3.20. Can Privoxy run as a "intercepting" proxy?
3.21. How can I configure Privoxy for use with Outlook Express?
3.21. 3.22. How can I have separate rules just for HTML mail?
3.22. 3.23. I sometimes notice cookies sneaking through. How?
3.23. 3.24. Are all cookies bad? Why?
3.24. 3.25. How can I allow permanent cookies for my trusted sites?
3.25. 3.26. Can I have separate configurations for different users?
3.26. 3.27. Can I set-up Privoxy as a whitelist of sites?
3.27. 3.28. How can I turn off ad-blocking?
3.28. 3.29. How can I have custom template pages, like the page?
3.29. 3.30. How can I remove the 4.1. How much does Privoxy slow my browsing down? This has to add extra time to browsing. 4.2. I notice considerable -delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong?
4.3.
4.8. Can Privoxy guarantee I am anonymous?
4.9. A test site says I am not using a Proxy.

4.11. Might some things break because header information or content is being altered?
4.12. Can Privoxy act as a "caching"
4.13. What about as a firewall? Can Privoxy protect me?
4.14. I have large empty spaces / a checkerboard pattern now where ads used to be. Why?
4.15. How can Privoxy filter Secure (HTTPS) URLs?
4.16. Privoxy runs as a "server"
4.17. How can I temporarily disable Privoxy?Can I temporarily disable Privoxy?
4.18. "MicroSuck"! Why are you manipulating my browsing?
4.26. Does Privoxy produce "valid" HTML (or XHTML)?

5.1. I cannot connect to any websites. Or, I am getting
5.3. I just added a new rule, but the steenkin ad is still getting through. How?

5.7. In Mac OSX, I can't configure Microsoft Internet Explorer to use +HREF="trouble.html#MACOSXIE" +>In Mac OS X, I can't configure Microsoft Internet Explorer to use Privoxy as the HTTP proxy.

5.8. In Mac OSX, I dragged the Privoxy folder to the trash in order to - uninstall it. Now the finder tells me I don't have sufficient privileges to +HREF="trouble.html#MACOSXUNINSTALL" +>In Mac OS X, I dragged the Privoxy folder to the trash in order to + uninstall it. Now the finder tells me I don't have sufficient privileges to empty the trash.

5.9. In Mac OSX Panther (10.3), images often fail to load and/or I +HREF="trouble.html#MACOSXIMAGES" +>In Mac OS X Panther (10.3), images often fail to load and/or I experience random delays in page loading. I'm using Why do my filters work on some sites but not on others?

5.21. On some HTTPS sites my browser warns me about unauthenticated content, + the URL bar doesn't get highlighted and the lock symbol appears to be broken. + What's going on?

5.22. I get selinux error messages. How can I fix this?

7.1. License
7.2. History