From ba716001594e02b151c058333bee05e81c84e779 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: hal9 Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2006 14:15:37 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Various updates, including 7 or 8 new FAQs, and updates/changes to various other ones to better reflect improvements, additions and changes for the upcoming release. This is close to final form for 3.0.4 IMHO. --- doc/source/faq.sgml | 420 ++++++++++++++++----------- doc/webserver/faq/configuration.html | 301 +++++++++++++------ doc/webserver/faq/contact.html | 297 ++++++++++++++----- doc/webserver/faq/copyright.html | 36 +-- doc/webserver/faq/general.html | 180 +++++++----- doc/webserver/faq/index.html | 201 ++++++++----- doc/webserver/faq/installation.html | 52 ++-- doc/webserver/faq/misc.html | 298 +++++++++---------- doc/webserver/faq/trouble.html | 258 ++++++++++------ 9 files changed, 1289 insertions(+), 754 deletions(-) diff --git a/doc/source/faq.sgml b/doc/source/faq.sgml index dfdd88cb..1be6014a 100644 --- a/doc/source/faq.sgml +++ b/doc/source/faq.sgml @@ -8,10 +8,10 @@ - - - - + + + + @@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ This file belongs into ijbswa.sourceforge.net:/home/groups/i/ij/ijbswa/htdocs/ - $Id: faq.sgml,v 1.61.2.41 2004/04/05 13:44:05 oes Exp $ + $Id: faq.sgml,v 2.11 2006/07/18 14:48:50 david__schmidt Exp $ - Copyright (C) 2001-2004 Privoxy Developers + Copyright (C) 2001-2006 Privoxy Developers See LICENSE. Based partially on the Internet Junkbuster FAQ originally written by and @@ -70,12 +70,12 @@ - Copyright &my-copy; 2001-2004 by + Copyright &my-copy; 2001-2006 by Privoxy Developers -$Id: faq.sgml,v 1.61.2.41 2004/04/05 13:44:05 oes Exp $ +$Id: faq.sgml,v 2.11 2006/07/18 14:48:50 david__schmidt Exp $ - Please note that this document is constantly evolving. This copy represents + Please note that this document is a work in progress. This copy represents the state at the release of version &p-version;. You can find the latest version of the document at http://www.privoxy.org/faq/. @@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ Hal. General Information -What is this new version of <application>Privoxy</application>? +What is this new version of <application>Junkbuster</application>? &history; @@ -158,13 +158,8 @@ Hal. -Why <quote>Privoxy</quote>? Why a name change at all? - - Privoxy is the - Privacy Enhancing Proxy. Also, its content - modification and junk suppression allow you to browse your - private edition of the web. - +Why <quote>Privoxy</quote>? Why change the name from +<application>Junkbuster</application> at all? Junkbusters Corporation continues to offer their original version of the Internet @@ -181,10 +176,16 @@ Hal. share our ideals and goals. - The developers also believed that there are so many changes from the original + The developers also believed that there are so many improvements over the original code, that it was time to make a clean break from the past and make - a name in their own right. + a name in their own right. + + + Privoxy is the + Privacy Enhancing Proxy. Also, its content + modification and junk suppression gives you, the user, more + control, more freedom, and allows you to browse your personal and + private edition of the web. @@ -196,7 +197,7 @@ from the old Junkbuster? Junkbuster left off. All the old features remain. The new Privoxy still blocks ads and banners, still manages cookies, and still helps protect your privacy. But, these are - all enhanced, and many new features have been added, all in the same vein. + all greatly enhanced, and many, many new features have been added, all in the same vein. The configuration has changed significantly as well. This is something that @@ -204,8 +205,8 @@ from the old Junkbuster? Junkbuster 2.0.x. The blocklist cookielist, imagelist and much more has been combined into the actions files, with a completely different - syntax. See the note to - upgraders for details. + syntax. See the What's New + page for the latest updates. Privoxy's new features include: @@ -232,8 +233,9 @@ from the old Junkbuster? to accommodate those needs. - Privoxy is a proxy that is solely focused on privacy - protection and junk elimination. Sitting between your browser(s) and the Internet, + Privoxy is a proxy that is primarily focused on privacy + protection, junk elimination and freeing the user from restrictions placed on his + activities. Sitting between your browser(s) and the Internet, it is in a perfect position to filter outbound personal information that your browser is leaking, as well as inbound junk. It uses a variety of techniques to do this, all of which are under your control via the various configuration @@ -350,13 +352,13 @@ warranty? Registration? I would like to help you, what do I do? -Money Money Money +Contribute! We, of course, welcome donations and could use money for domain registering, buying software to test Privoxy with, and, of course, for regular world-wide get-togethers (hahaha). If you enjoy the software and feel like helping us with a donation, just drop us a note. + url="mailto: ijbswa-developers@lists.sourceforge.net">drop us a note. @@ -370,17 +372,26 @@ warranty? Registration? -You want to work with us? +Would you like to participate? Well, helping the team is always a good idea. We welcome new developers, - packaging gurus or documentation writers. Simply DO NOT need to be a programmer. There + are many other tasks available. In fact, the programmers often can't spend + as much time programming because of some of the other, more mundane things + that need to be done, like checking the Tracker feedback sections. + + + So first thing, get an account on SourceForge.net - and mail your id to the developers - mailing list. Then read the Developer's Manual. + and mail your id to the developers + mailing list. Then, please read the Developer's Manual, at least + the pertinent sections. - Once we have added you to the team, you'll have write access to the CVS repository, and together we'll find a suitable task for you. @@ -590,7 +601,7 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? Can I use my old config files? The syntax, number, and purpose of configuration files has substantially - changed from Junkbuster and earlier versions + changed from Junkbuster and early versions of Privoxy. The old files, like blocklist will not work at all. If you are upgrading from a 2.0.x version, you will need to port your configuration data to the new format. Note that even the @@ -598,6 +609,10 @@ All the ads are there. What's wrong? will need to be adapted, as configuration syntax has been very much in flow in the 2.9.x series. + + Refer to the What's New + page for information on configuration changes that may occur from one release to another. + @@ -681,7 +696,7 @@ the differences? -How can I make my Yahoo/Hotmail/GMX account work? +How can I make my Yahoo/Hotmail/Gmail account work? The default configuration shouldn't impact the usability of any of these services. It will, however, make all cookies temporary, so that your browser will forget your @@ -763,11 +778,13 @@ with a browser? Does that not raise security issues? What is the <filename>default.filter</filename> file? What is a <quote>filter</quote>? The default.filter - file is where filters are defined, which can be used to modify or + file is where filters as supplied by the developers are defined. + Filters are a special subset of actions that can be used to modify or remove, web page content on the fly. Filters apply to anything - in the page source, including HTML tags, and JavaScript. Regular expressions are used - to accomplish this. There are a number of pre-defined filters to deal with common - annoyances. The filters are only defined here, to invoke them, you need to use the + in the page source (and optionally both client and server headers), including + HTML tags, and JavaScript. Regular expressions are used to accomplish this. + There are a number of pre-defined filters to deal with common annoyances. The + filters are only defined here, to invoke them, you need to use the filter action in one of the actions files. Filtering is automatically @@ -778,11 +795,15 @@ with a browser? Does that not raise security issues? If you are familiar with regular expressions, and HTML, you can look at the provided default.filter with a text editor and define your own filters. This is potentially a very powerful feature, but - requires some expertise in both regular expressions and HTML/HTTP. + requires some expertise in both regular expressions and HTML/HTTP. You should + place any modifications to the default filters, or any new ones you create + in a separate file, such as user.filter, so they won't + be overwritten during upgrades. The ability to define multiple filter files + in config is a new feature as of v. 3.0.4. - Presently, there is no GUI editor option for this part of the configuration, + There is no GUI editor option for this part of the configuration, but you can disable/enable the various pre-defined filters of the included default.filter file with the web-based actions file editor. @@ -887,84 +908,6 @@ with a browser? Does that not raise security issues? - - I see some images being replaced by a text instead of the checkerboard image. Why and how do I get rid of this? @@ -996,7 +939,7 @@ instead of the checkerboard image. Why and how do I get rid of this? Can <application>Privoxy</application> run as a service on Win2K/NT? - Yes, it can run as a system service using srvany.exe. + Earlier versions could run as a system service using srvany.exe. See the discussion at http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=361118&aid=485617&group_id=11118, for details, and a sample configuration. @@ -1005,15 +948,22 @@ on Win2K/NT? Version 3.0.1 fixes the problem where the icon and menu where not available in the taskbar for this usage. + + + Version 3.0.4, introduces full Windows service functionality, thus elimating + the srvany.exe requirement. + How can I make <application>Privoxy</application> work with other -proxies like <application>Squid</application>? +proxies like Squid or TOR? This can be done and is often useful to combine the benefits of - Privoxy with those of a caching proxy. + Privoxy with those of a another proxy. See the forwarding chapter in the user manual which @@ -1111,6 +1061,62 @@ and thus avoid individual browser configuration? + +Can I have separate configurations for different users? + + Each instance of Privoxy has its own + configuration, including such attributes as the TCP port that it listens on. + What you can do is run multiple instances of Privoxy, each with + a unique listen-address and configuration path, and then + each of these can have their own configurations. Think of it as per-port + configuration. + + + Simple enough for a few users, but for large installations, consider having + groups of users that might share like configurations. + + + + +Can I set-up <application>Privoxy</application> as a whitelist of +<quote>good</quote> sites? + + Sure. There are a couple of things you can do for simple whitelisting. + Here's one real easy one: + + + ############################################################ + # Blacklist + ############################################################ + { +block } + / # Block *all* URLs + + ############################################################ + # Whitelist + ############################################################ + { -block } + kids.example.com + toys.example.com + games.example.com + + This allows access to only those three sites. + + + A more interesting approach is Privoxy's + trustfile concept, which incorporates the notion of + trusted referrers. See the User Manual Trust + documentation. + + + These are fairly simple approaches and are not completely foolproof. There + are various other configuration options that should be disabled (described + elsewhere here and in the User Manual) + so that users can't modify their own configuration and easily circumvent the + whitelist. + + + @@ -1124,12 +1130,16 @@ and thus avoid individual browser configuration? How much does <application>Privoxy</application> slow my browsing down? This has to add extra time to browsing. - It should not slow you down any in real terms, and may actually help - speed things up since ads, banners and other junk are not being displayed. + How much of an impact depends on many things, including the CPU of the host + system, how agressive the configuration is, which specific actions are being triggered, etc. + + + Overall, it should not slow you down any in real terms, and may actually help + speed things up since ads, banners and other junk are not typically being displayed. The actual processing time required by Privoxy itself for each page, is relatively small in the overall scheme of things, and happens very quickly. This is typically more than offset by time saved - not downloading and rendering ad images. + not downloading and rendering ad images (if ad blocking is being used). @@ -1137,8 +1147,10 @@ has to add extra time to browsing. url="../user-manual/actions-file.html#FILTER">filter or deanimate-gifs - actions may cause a perceived slowdown, since the entire document needs to be buffered - before displaying. See below. + actions will cause a perceived slowdown, since the entire document needs to be buffered + before displaying. On very large documents, there may be some impact. How + much depends on the page size, the actual definition of the filter(s), etc. See below. + Most other actions have little to no impact on speed. @@ -1155,10 +1167,13 @@ delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong? mechanism to work, and nothing is sent to the browser during this time. - The loading time does not really change in real numbers, but the feeling is - different, because most browsers are able to start rendering incomplete - content, giving the user a feeling of "it works". This effect is especially - noticeable on slow dialup connections. + The loading time typically does not really change much in real numbers, but + the feeling is different, because most browsers are able to start rendering + incomplete content, giving the user a feeling of "it works". This effect is + more noticeable on slower dialup connections. Extremely large documents + may have some impact on the time to load the page. But the overall difference + should be very minimal. If there is a big impact, then probably some other + problem is contributing. Filtering is automatically disabled for inappropriate MIME types. But note @@ -1171,6 +1186,17 @@ delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong? + +I just installed <application>Privoxy</application>, and all my +browsing has slowed to a crawl. What gives? + + This should not happen, and for the overwhelming number of users world-wide, + it does not happen. I would suspect some inadvertent interaction of software + components such as anti-virus software, spyware protectors, personal + firewalls or similar components. Try disabling (or uninstalling) these one + at a time and see if that helps. + + What are "http://config.privoxy.org/" and "http://p.p/"? @@ -1209,38 +1235,43 @@ delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong? - + out of date 09/02/06 HB Do you still maintain the blocklists? No. The patterns for blocking now reside (among other things) in the actions files, which are actively maintained instead. See next question ... + +--> +How can I submit new ads, or report +problems? + +Please see the Contact section for +various ways to interact with the developers. + + -How can I submit new ads? +Why doesn't anyone answer my support +request? -Yes, absolutely! Please see the Contact section for -how to do that. Please note that you (technically) need the latest -Privoxy version for this to work. +Rest assured that it has been read and considered. Why it is not answered, +could be for various reasons, including no one has a good answer for it, no +one has had time to yet investigate it thorougly, it has been reported +numerous times already, or because not enough information was provided to help +us help you. Your efforts are not wasted, and we do appreciate them. + How can I hide my IP address? If you run both the browser and the proxy locally, you cannot hide your IP - address with Privoxy or any other software. The - server needs to know your IP address to send the answers back to you. + address with Privoxy or ultimately any other + software. The server needs to know your IP address to send the answers back + to you. Fortunately there are many publicly usable anonymous proxies out there, which @@ -1256,14 +1287,14 @@ how to do that. Please note that you (technically) need the latest You can find a list of anonymous public proxies at multiproxy.org and many + url="http://www.multiproxy.org/anon_proxy.htm">multiproxy.org and many more through Google. A particularly interesting project is the JAP service offered by the Technical University of Dresden (http://anon.inf.tu-dresden.de/index_en.html). There is, however, even in the single-machine case the possibility to make the - server believe that your machine is in fact a shared proxy serving a whole big + server believe that your machine is in fact a shared proxy serving a large LAN, and we are looking into that. @@ -1620,7 +1651,7 @@ and related issues? Troubleshooting -I just upgraded and am getting <quote>connection refused</quote> +<title id="refused">I am getting <quote>connection refused</quote> with every web page? Either Privoxy is not running, or your @@ -1629,7 +1660,7 @@ with every web page? - The old Privoxy (and also + Early Privoxy versions (and also Junkbuster) used port 8000 by default. This has been changed to port 8118 now, due to a conflict with NAS (Network Audio Service), which uses port 8000. If you haven't, @@ -1657,7 +1688,8 @@ still getting through. How? If this doesn't help, you probably have an error in the rule you applied. Try pasting the full URL of the offending ad into http://config.privoxy.org/show-url-info - and see if it really matches your new rule. + and see if it really matches your new rule. Blocking ads is like blocking + spam: a lot of tinkering is required to stay ahead of the game. @@ -1875,11 +1907,11 @@ every time I start IE. What gives? Why am I getting a 503 Error (WSAECONNREFUSED) on every page? - More than likely this is a problem with the network stack. ZoneAlarm has + More than likely this is a problem with your TCP/IP networking. ZoneAlarm has been reported to cause this symptom -- even if not running. The solution is to either fight the ZA configuration, or uninstall ZoneAlarm, and then find - something better behaved in its place. Other firewall type products may - cause similar type problems if not configured correctly. + something better behaved in its place. Other personal firewall type products + may cause similar type problems if not configured correctly. @@ -1894,10 +1926,10 @@ Why? this information, Privoxy logs this condition. - Typically, this would be considered a system configuration error. It is not a - fatal error to Privoxy however, but may result in - a much slower response from Privoxy due to DNS - timeouts. + Typically, this would be considered a minor system configuration error. It is + not a fatal error to Privoxy however, but may + result in a much slower response from Privoxy on + some platforms due to DNS timeouts. @@ -1910,7 +1942,8 @@ Why? listening port. Typically this message would mean that there is already one instance of Privoxy running, and you are actually trying to start a second Privoxy - on the same port, which will not work. How and why this might happen varies + on the same port, which will not work. (You can have multiple instances but + they must be assigned different ports.) How and why this might happen varies from platform to platform, but you need to check your installation and start-up procedures. @@ -1921,11 +1954,10 @@ Why? Pages with UTF-8 fonts are garbled. - This is caused by the demoronizer filter, which was introduced - in version 3.0.2, and was inappropriately turned on by default. You should - either upgrade Privoxy, or at least upgrade to the most - recent default.action file available from - SourceForge. + This is caused by the demoronizer filter. You should either + upgrade Privoxy, or at least upgrade to the most + recent default.action file available from SourceForge. Or you can simply disable the demoronizer filter. @@ -1939,7 +1971,7 @@ Why? This may also be caused by the demoronizer filter, in conjunction with a web server that is misreporting a file type. Binary files are exempted from Privoxy's filtering - (unless the web server by mistake says the file is a plain text file). Either + (unless the web server by mistake says the file is something else). Either upgrade Privoxy, or go to the most recent default.action file available from SourceForge. @@ -1973,11 +2005,6 @@ Why? On the other hand, if you use non-Microsoft products, and you occasionally notice wierd characters on pages, you might want to try it. - - This filter was introduced with version 3.0.2 of Privoxy, - and was on by default in that version. It is off in all subsequent versions - (unless turned on by the user). - @@ -1999,6 +2026,53 @@ Why? + + + I am getting too many DNS errors like <quote>404 No Such Domain</quote>. Why + can't <application>Privoxy</application> do this better? + + + There are potentially several factors here. First of all, the DNS resolution + is done by the underlying operating system -- not + Privoxy itself. Privoxy + merely initiates the process and hands it off, and then later reports + whatever the outcome was. And tries to give a coherent message if there seems + to be a problem. In some cases, this might otherwise be mitigated by the + browser itself which might try some work-arounds and alernate approaches (e.g + adding www. to the URL). In other cases, if + Privoxy is being chained with another proxy, this + could complicate the issue, and cause undue + delays and timeouts. In the case of a socks4a proxy, the socks + server handles all the DNS. Privoxy would just be + the messenger which is reporting whatever problem occurred + downstream, and not the root cause of the error. + + + In any case, v. 3.0.4 includes various improvements to help + Privoxy better handle these cases. + + + + + + At one site <application>Privoxy</application> just hangs, and starts taking + all CPU. Why is this? + + + This is probably a manifestation of the 100% cpu problem that + occurs on pages containing many (thousands upon thousands) of blank lines. The blank lines + are in the raw HTML source of the page, and the browser just ignores them. But the + pattern matching in Privoxy's page filtering + mechanism is trying to match against absurdly long strings and this becomes + very CPU-intensive, taking a long, long time to complete. Until a better + solution comes along, disable filtering on these pages, particularly the + js-annoyances and unsolicited-popups + filters. + + + + + @@ -2077,6 +2151,10 @@ Why? Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA. $Log: faq.sgml,v $ +Revision 2.11 2006/07/18 14:48:50 david__schmidt +Reorganizing the repository: swapping out what was HEAD (the old 3.1 branch) +with what was really the latest development (the v_3_0_branch branch) + Revision 1.61.2.41 2004/04/05 13:44:05 oes Fixed allow-all-cookies alias name; closes SR #929746 diff --git a/doc/webserver/faq/configuration.html b/doc/webserver/faq/configuration.html index 73ff78cb..03cc9b6e 100644 --- a/doc/webserver/faq/configuration.html +++ b/doc/webserver/faq/configuration.html @@ -1,11 +1,11 @@ - Configuration3. Configuration3. Configuration

3.1. Where can I get updated Actions Files?

3.1. Where can I get updated Actions Files?

Based on your feedback and the continuing development, updated actions files will be made available on the 3.2. Can I use my old config files?3.2. Can I use my old config files?

The syntax, number, and purpose of configuration files has substantially changed from Junkbuster and earlier versions +> and early versions of Privoxy

Refer to the What's New + page for information on configuration changes that may occur from one release to another. +

3.3. What is an "actions" file?

file?

3.4. The "actions""actions"..

For a comprehensive discussion of the actions concept, please refer to the

3.5. How are actions files configured? What is the easiest -way to do this?

Actions files are just text files in a special syntax and can be edited with a text editor. But probably the easiest way is to access @@ -262,13 +270,13 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

3.6. There are several different "actions" files. What are -the differences?

As of 3.7. How can I make my Yahoo/Hotmail/GMX account work?3.7. How can I make my Yahoo/Hotmail/Gmail account work?

The default configuration shouldn't impact the usability of any of these services. It will, however, make all cookies temporary, so that your browser will forget your @@ -378,6 +386,7 @@ CLASS="SECT2" CLASS="SECT2" >3.8. What's the difference between the and "Adventuresome" defaults? defaults?

Configuring 3.9. Why can I change the configuration -with a browser? Does that not raise security issues?

It may seem strange that regular users can edit the config files with their browsers, although the whole ""enable-edit-actions - 0" and ""enable-remote-toggle - 0" in the

3.10. What is the default.filter file? What is a "filter"?

?

The filters are defined, which can be used to modify or +> as supplied by the developers are defined. + Filters are a special subset of actions that can be used to modify or remove, web page content on the fly. Filters apply to anything - in the page source, including HTML tags, and JavaScript. Regular expressions are used - to accomplish this. There are a number of pre-defined filters to deal with common - annoyances. The filters are only defined here, to invoke them, you need to use the + in the page source (and optionally both client and server headers), including + HTML tags, and JavaScript. Regular expressions are used to accomplish this. + There are a number of pre-defined filters to deal with common annoyances. The + filters are only defined here, to invoke them, you need to use the filterfilter action in one of the actions files. Filtering is automatically @@ -584,9 +594,19 @@ CLASS="FILENAME" >default.filter with a text editor and define your own filters. This is potentially a very powerful feature, but - requires some expertise in both regular expressions and HTML/HTTP.

user.filter, so they won't + be overwritten during upgrades. The ability to define multiple filter files + in config is a new feature as of v. 3.0.4.

Presently, there is no GUI editor option for this part of the configuration, +> There is no GUI editor option for this part of the configuration, but you can disable/enable the various pre-defined filters of the included

3.11. How can I set up Privoxy to act as a proxy for my - LAN?

By default, Privoxy only responds to requests - from 127.0.0.1127.0.0.1 (localhost). To have it act as a server for a network, this needs to be changed in the main configuration file. Look for - the listen-address option, which may be commented out with a

3.12. Instead of ads, now I get a checkerboard pattern. I don't want to see anything.

3.12. Instead of ads, now I get a checkerboard pattern. I don't want to see anything.

The replacement for blocked images can be controlled with the set-image-blockerset-image-blocker action. You have the choice of a checkerboard pattern, a transparent 1x1 GIF @@ -732,13 +752,13 @@ CLASS="QUOTE" >"blank"), or a redirect to a custom image of your choice. Note that this choice only has effect for images which are blocked as images, i.e. - whose URLs match both a handle-as-image and block action.

If you want to see nothing, then change the set-image-blockerset-image-blocker action to

3.13. Why would anybody want to see a checkerboard pattern?

3.13. Why would anybody want to see a checkerboard pattern?

Remember that

3.14. I see some images being replaced by a text -instead of the checkerboard image. Why and how do I get rid of this?

This happens when the banners are not embedded in the HTML code of the page itself, but in separate HTML (sub)documents that are loaded into (i)frames @@ -839,14 +859,14 @@ CLASS="SECT2" CLASS="SECT2" >3.15. Can Privoxy run as a service -on Win2K/NT?

Yes, it can run as a system service using Earlier versions could run as a system service using srvany.exe. @@ -859,6 +879,12 @@ TARGET="_top" >

Version 3.0.1 fixes the problem where the icon and menu where not available in the taskbar for this usage.

Version 3.0.4, introduces full Windows service functionality, thus elimating + the srvany.exe requirement.

3.16. How can I make PrivoxySquid? or TOR?

This can be done and is often useful to combine the benefits of Privoxy with those of a caching proxy. +> with those of a another proxy. See the 3.17. Can I just set Privoxy to use port 80 -and thus avoid individual browser configuration?

No, its more complicated than that. This only works with special kinds of proxies known as 3.18. Can Privoxy run as a "transparent" proxy? proxy?

No, 3.19. How can I configure PrivoxyOutlook Express??

3.20. How can I have separate rules just for HTML mail?3.20. How can I have separate rules just for HTML mail?

The short answer is, you can't. 3.21. How can I allow permanent cookies for my trusted sites?3.21. How can I allow permanent cookies for my trusted sites?

There are several actions that relate to cookies. The default behavior is to allow only

To disable all cookie actions, so that cookies are allowed unrestricted, - both in and out, for example.comexample.com:

user.action includes an alias for this situation, called - allow-cookiesallow-all-cookies.

3.22. Can I have separate configurations for different users?

Each instance of Privoxy has its own + configuration, including such attributes as the TCP port that it listens on. + What you can do is run multiple instances of Privoxy, each with + a unique listen-address and configuration path, and then + each of these can have their own configurations. Think of it as per-port + configuration.

+ Simple enough for a few users, but for large installations, consider having + groups of users that might share like configurations.

3.23. Can I set-up Privoxy as a whitelist of +"good" sites?

Sure. There are a couple of things you can do for simple whitelisting. + Here's one real easy one:

 ############################################################
+ # Blacklist
+ ############################################################
+ { +block }
+ / # Block *all* URLs
+ 
+ ############################################################
+ # Whitelist
+ ############################################################
+ { -block }
+  kids.example.com
+  toys.example.com
+  games.example.com

This allows access to only those three sites.

A more interesting approach is Privoxy's + trustfile concept, which incorporates the notion of + "trusted referrers". See the User Manual Trust + documentation.

These are fairly simple approaches and are not completely foolproof. There + are various other configuration options that should be disabled (described + elsewhere here and in the User Manual) + so that users can't modify their own configuration and easily circumvent the + whitelist.

Contacting the developers, Bug Reporting and Feature Requests6. Contacting the developers, Bug Reporting and Feature Requests6. Contacting the developers, Bug Reporting and Feature Requests

We value your feedback. In fact, we rely on it to improve 6.1. Get Support6.1. Get Support

For casual users, our

6.2. Reporting Problems

"Problems" for our purposes, come in two forms:

  • Configuration issues, such as ads that slip through, or sites that + don't function properly due to one Privoxy + "action" or another being turned "on". +

  • "Bugs" in the programming code that makes up + Privoxy, such as that might cause a crash. +

6.2.1. Reporting Ads or Other Configuration Problems

Please send feedback on ads that slipped through, innocent images that were + blocked, sites that don't work properly, and other configuration related problem of + default.action file, to + http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=11118&atid=460288, + the Actions File Tracker.

New, improved default.action files may occasionally be made + available based on your feedback. These will be announced on the ijbswa-announce + list and available from our the files section of + our project page.

6.2. Report Bugs

6.2.2. Reporting Bugs

Please report all bugs http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=11118&atid=111118.

Before doing so, please make sure that the bug has not already been submitted +> Before doing so, please make sure that the bug has not already been submitted and observe the additional hints at the top of the submit form.

. If already submitted, please feel free to add any info to the + original report that might help solve the issue.

Please try to verify that it is a Privoxy, and see if the problem persists. - The appendix - of the user manual also has helpful information - on action debugging. If you are using your own custom configuration, please try + If you are using your own custom configuration, please try the stock configs to see if the problem is configuration related.

If not using the latest version, chances are that the bug has been found +> If not using the latest version, the bug may have been found and fixed in the meantime. We would appreciate if you could take the time to upgrade to the latest version (or even the latest CVS snapshot) and verify - your bug, but this is not required for reporting.

Please be sure to provide the following information:

  • The exact Privoxy version of the proxy software +(if you got the source from CVS, please also give the date). +

  • The operating system and verions you run + Privoxy on, (e.g. Windows + XP). +

  • The name, platform, and version of the browser + you were using (e.g. Internet Explorer v5.5 for Mac). +

  • The URL where the problem occurred, or some way for us to duplicate the + problem (e.g. http://somesite.example.com?somethingelse=123). +

  • Whether your version of Privoxy is one supplied + by the developers of Privoxy via SourceForge, + or somewhere else. +

  • Whether you are using Privoxy in tandem with + another proxy such as TOR. If so, please try + disabling the other proxy. +

  • Whether you are using a personal firewall product. If so, does + Privoxy work without it? +

  • Any other pertinent information to help identify the problem such as config + or log file excerpts (yes, you should have log file entries for each + action taken). +

  • Please provide your SF login, or email address, in case we + need to contact you. +

The appendix + of the user manual also has helpful information + on understanding actions, and action debugging.

6.3. Request New Features6.3. Request New Features

You are welcome to submit ideas on new features or other proposals for improvement through our feature request tracker at @@ -200,52 +408,9 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

6.4. Report Ads or Other Actions-Related Problems

Please send feedback on ads that slipped through, innocent images that were blocked, - and any other problems relating to the default.action file through - our actions feedback mechanism located at - http://www.privoxy.org/actions/. - On this page, you will also find a bookmark which will take you back there from - any troubled site and even pre-fill the form!

New, improved default.action files will occasionally be made - available based on your feedback. These will be announced on the ijbswa-announce - list and available from our the files section of - our project page.

6.5. Other

6.4. Other

For any other issues, feel free to use the mailing lists. Technically interested users and people who wish to contribute to the project are also welcome on the developers list! diff --git a/doc/webserver/faq/copyright.html b/doc/webserver/faq/copyright.html index e26f35de..dacc4dcf 100644 --- a/doc/webserver/faq/copyright.html +++ b/doc/webserver/faq/copyright.html @@ -1,11 +1,11 @@ - Privoxy Copyright, License and History7. Privoxy Copyright, License and History7. Privoxy Copyright, License and History

Copyright © 2001 - 2004 by Privoxy Developers Copyright © 2001 - 2006 by Privoxy Developers

Some source code is based on code Copyright © 1997 by Anonymous Coders @@ -103,9 +103,9 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

7.1. License

7.1. License

7.2. History

7.2. History

In the beginning, there was the +> Along time ago, there was the Junkbusters Corporation. It saved many users a lot of pain in the early days of +>. This saved many users a lot of pain in the early days of web advertising and user tracking.

But the web, its protocols and standards, and with it, the techniques for - forcing users to consume ads, give up autonomy over their browsing, and - for spying on them, kept evolving. Unfortunately, the Internet Junkbuster General Information1. General Information1. General Information

1.1. What is this new version of Privoxy?

Junkbuster?

In the beginning, there was the +> Along time ago, there was the Junkbusters Corporation. It saved many users a lot of pain in the early days of +>. This saved many users a lot of pain in the early days of web advertising and user tracking.

But the web, its protocols and standards, and with it, the techniques for - forcing users to consume ads, give up autonomy over their browsing, and - for spying on them, kept evolving. Unfortunately, the Internet Junkbuster1.2. Why "Privoxy"? Why a name change at all?

? Why change the name from +Privoxy is the - "Privacy Enhancing Proxy". Also, its content - modification and junk suppression allow you to browse your - "private edition" of the web.

Junkbuster at all?

project itself, and they, in fact, still share our ideals and goals.

The developers also believed that there are so many changes from the original +> The developers also believed that there are so many improvements over the original code, that it was time to make a clean break from the past and make a name in their own right.

Privoxy is the + "Privacy Enhancing Proxy". Also, its content + modification and junk suppression gives you, the user, more + control, more freedom, and allows you to browse your personal and + "private edition" of the web.

1.3. How does PrivoxyJunkbuster?

Privoxy still blocks ads and banners, still manages cookies, and still helps protect your privacy. But, these are - all enhanced, and many new features have been added, all in the same vein. + all greatly enhanced, and many, many new features have been added, all in the same vein.

The configuration has changed significantly as well. This is something that @@ -294,11 +305,11 @@ CLASS="QUOTE" >"actions" files, with a completely different syntax. See the note to - upgraders for details.

What's New + page for the latest updates.

1.4. What is a "proxy"Privoxy work? work?

A web proxy is a service, based on a software such as Privoxy is a proxy that is solely focused on privacy - protection and junk elimination. Sitting between your browser(s) and the Internet, +> is a proxy that is primarily focused on privacy + protection, junk elimination and freeing the user from restrictions placed on his + activities. Sitting between your browser(s) and the Internet, it is in a perfect position to filter outbound personal information that your browser is leaking, as well as inbound junk. It uses a variety of techniques to do this, all of which are under your control via the various configuration @@ -448,12 +460,12 @@ CLASS="SECT2" CLASS="SECT2" >1.5. How does Privoxy know what is -an ad, and what is not?

1.6. Can Privoxy make mistakes? -This does not sound very scientific.

Actually, it's a black art ;-) And yes, it is always possible to have a broad rule accidentally block or change something by mistake. You will almost surely @@ -538,13 +550,13 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

1.7. Will I have to configure Privoxy - before I can use it?

No, not really. The default installation should give you a good starting point, and block 1.8. My browser does the same things as Privoxy at all? at all?

Modern browsers do indeed have 1.9. Is there is a license or fee? What about a -warranty? Registration?

1.10. I would like to help you, what do I do?1.10. I would like to help you, what do I do?

1.10.1. Money Money Money

1.10.1. Contribute!

We, of course, welcome donations and could use money for domain registering, buying software to test with, and, of course, for regular world-wide get-togethers (hahaha). If you enjoy the software and feel like helping us with a donation, just drop us a note.

1.10.2. Software1.10.2. Software

If you are a vendor of a web-related software like a browser, web server or proxy, and would like us to ensure that 1.10.3. You want to work with us?1.10.3. Would you like to participate?

Well, helping the team is always a good idea. We welcome new developers, - packaging gurus or documentation writers. Simply DO NOT need to be a "programmer". There + are many other tasks available. In fact, the programmers often can't spend + as much time programming because of some of the other, more mundane things + that need to be done, like checking the Tracker feedback sections. +

So first thing, get an account on SourceForge.net and mail your id to the developers mailing list. Then read the . Then, please read the Developer's Manual.

, at least + the pertinent sections.

Once we have added you to the team, you'll have write access to the Once we have added you to the team, you'll have access to the CVS repository Privoxy Frequently Asked QuestionsPrivoxy Frequently Asked QuestionsPrivoxy Frequently Asked Questions

Copyright © 2001-2004 by +> © 2001-2006 by

$Id: index.html,v 1.15.2.10 2004/01/31 00:05:43 oes Exp $

$Id: faq.sgml,v 2.11 2006/07/18 14:48:50 david__schmidt Exp $

This FAQ gives quick answers to frequently asked questions about Privoxy is a web proxy with advanced filtering - capabilities for protecting privacy, modifying web page content, managing + capabilities for protecting privacy, modifying web page data, managing cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups and other obnoxious Internet junk. (tm).

Please note that this document is constantly evolving. This copy represents - the state at the release of version 3.0.3. +> Please note that this document is a work in progress. This copy represents + the state at the release of version 3.0.4. You can find the latest version of the document at What is this new version of PrivoxyJunkbuster?

Why "Privoxy"? Why a name change at all?? Why change the name from +Junkbuster at all?
1.3.
1.6. Can Privoxy
1.7. Will I have to configure Privoxy
1.10.1. Money Money MoneyContribute!
1.10.2.
1.10.3. You want to work with us?Would you like to participate?
2.5. I just installed Privoxy
3.3. What is an "actions"
3.5. How are actions files configured? What is the easiest way to do this?
3.6. There are several different "actions"
3.7. How can I make my Yahoo/Hotmail/GMX account work?How can I make my Yahoo/Hotmail/Gmail account work?
3.8.
3.10. What is the default.filter
3.11. How can I set up Privoxy
3.12. Instead of ads, now I get a checkerboard pattern. I don't want to see anything.
3.13. Why would anybody want to see a checkerboard pattern?
3.14. I see some images being replaced by a text instead of the checkerboard image. Why and how do I get rid of this?
Squid or TOR?
How can I allow permanent cookies for my trusted sites?
3.22. Can I have separate configurations for different users?
3.23. Can I set-up Privoxy as a whitelist of +"good" sites?
4.1. How much does Privoxy
4.3. What are "http://config.privoxy.org/" and -"http://p.p/"?I just installed Privoxy, and all my +browsing has slowed to a crawl. What gives?
4.4. Do you still maintain the blocklists?What are "http://config.privoxy.org/" and +"http://p.p/"?
4.5. How can I submit new ads?How can I submit new ads, or report +problems?
4.6. Why doesn't anyone answer my support +request?
4.7. How can I hide my IP address?
4.7. 4.8. Can Privoxy guarantee I am anonymous?
4.8. 4.9. Might some things break because header information or content is being altered?
4.9. 4.10. Can Privoxy
4.10. 4.11. What about as a firewall? Can Privoxy protect me?
4.11. 4.12. I have large empty spaces / a checkerboard pattern now where ads used to be. Why?
4.12. 4.13. How can Privoxy filter Secure (HTTPS) URLs?
4.13. 4.14. Privoxy
4.14. 4.15. How can I temporarily disable ?
4.15. 4.16. When
4.16. 4.17. My logs show ?
4.17. 4.18. Can
4.18. 4.19. I just downloaded a Perl script, and
4.19. 4.20. Where can I find more information about
4.20. 4.21. I've noticed that Privoxy changes
5.1. I just upgraded and am getting I am getting "connection refused" @@ -699,7 +734,7 @@ with every web page?
5.2. I just added a new rule, but the steenkin ad is still getting through. How?
In Mac OSX Panther (10.3), images often fail to load and/or I experience random delays in page loading. I'm using - localhostlocalhost as my browser's proxy setting.
"PrivoxyWindowOpen()" in raw source code?
5.17. I am getting too many DNS errors like "404 No Such Domain". Why + can't Privoxy do this better?
5.18. At one site Privoxy just hangs, and starts taking + all CPU. Why is this?
6.2. Reporting Problems
6.2.1. Reporting Ads or Other Configuration Problems
6.2.2. Report BugsReporting Bugs
6.3.
6.4. Report Ads or Other Actions-Related Problems
6.5. Other
7.1. License
7.2. History
Installation2. Installation2. Installation

2.1. Which browsers are supported by Privoxy?

?

Any browser that can be configured to use a proxy, which should be virtually all browsers. Direct browser support is not necessary @@ -103,16 +103,16 @@ CLASS="SECT2" CLASS="SECT2" >2.2. Which operating systems are supported?2.2. Which operating systems are supported?

At present, Privoxy is known to run on - Windows(95, 98, ME, 2000, XP), Linux (RedHat, SuSE, Debian, Conectiva, Gentoo, - Slackware), Mac OSX, OS/2, AmigaOS, BeOS, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, - and many more flavors of Unix.

But any operating system that runs TCP/IP, can conceivably take advantage of 2.3. Can I use Privoxy with my email client? with my email client?

As long as there is some way to set a HTTP proxy for the client, then yes, any application can be used, whether it is strictly speaking a @@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ CLASS="SECT2" CLASS="SECT2" >2.4. Can I install over Junkbuster??

We recommend you un-install

2.5. I just installed Privoxy. Is there anything -special I have to do now?

All browsers must be told to use 2.6. What is the proxy address of Privoxy??

If you set up the Privoxy to run on the computer you browse from (rather than your ISP's server or some - networked computer on a LAN), the proxy will be on 127.0.0.1127.0.0.1 (sometimes referred to as 2.7. I just installed Privoxy, and nothing is happening. -All the ads are there. What's wrong?

Did you configure your browser to use 2.8. I get a "Privoxy is not being used"Privoxy is running and being used. is running and being used.

First, make sure that Privoxy is Miscellaneous4. Miscellaneous4. Miscellaneous

4.1. How much does Privoxy slow my browsing down? This -has to add extra time to browsing.

It should not slow you down any in real terms, and may actually help - speed things up since ads, banners and other junk are not being displayed. +> How much of an impact depends on many things, including the CPU of the host + system, how agressive the configuration is, which specific actions are being triggered, etc.

Overall, it should not slow you down any in real terms, and may actually help + speed things up since ads, banners and other junk are not typically being displayed. The actual processing time required by Privoxy itself for each page, is relatively small in the overall scheme of things, and happens very quickly. This is typically more than offset by time saved - not downloading and rendering ad images.

"Filtering" content via the content via the filter or - deanimate-gifs - actions may cause a perceived slowdown, since the entire document needs to be buffered - before displaying. See below.

4.2. I noticed considerable -delays in page requests compared to the old Junkbuster. What's wrong?

If you use any If you use any filter action, - such as filtering banners by size, web-bugs etc, or the deanimate-gifs action, the entire document must be loaded into memory in order for the filtering mechanism to work, and nothing is sent to the browser during this time.

The loading time does not really change in real numbers, but the feeling is - different, because most browsers are able to start rendering incomplete - content, giving the user a feeling of "it works". This effect is especially - noticeable on slow dialup connections. +> The loading time typically does not really change much in real numbers, but + the feeling is different, because most browsers are able to start rendering + incomplete content, giving the user a feeling of "it works". This effect is + more noticeable on slower dialup connections. Extremely large documents + may have some impact on the time to load the page. But the overall difference + should be very minimal. If there is a big impact, then probably some other + problem is contributing.

Filtering is automatically disabled for inappropriate MIME types. But note @@ -171,10 +179,29 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

4.3. I just installed Privoxy, and all my +browsing has slowed to a crawl. What gives?

This should not happen, and for the overwhelming number of users world-wide, + it does not happen. I would suspect some inadvertent interaction of software + components such as anti-virus software, spyware protectors, personal + firewalls or similar components. Try disabling (or uninstalling) these one + at a time and see if that helps.

4.4. Do you still maintain the blocklists?

4.5. How can I submit new ads, or report +problems?

No. The patterns for blocking now reside (among other things) in the actions files, which are - actively maintained instead. See next question ...

Please see the Contact section for +various ways to interact with the developers.

4.5. How can I submit new ads?

4.6. Why doesn't anyone answer my support +request?

Yes, absolutely! Please see the Contact section for -how to do that. Please note that you (technically) need the latest -Privoxy version for this to work.

Rest assured that it has been read and considered. Why it is not answered, +could be for various reasons, including no one has a good answer for it, no +one has had time to yet investigate it thorougly, it has been reported +numerous times already, or because not enough information was provided to help +us help you. Your efforts are not wasted, and we do appreciate them.

4.6. How can I hide my IP address?4.7. How can I hide my IP address?

If you run both the browser and the proxy locally, you cannot hide your IP address with Privoxy or any other software. The - server needs to know your IP address to send the answers back to you.

or ultimately any other + software. The server needs to know your IP address to send the answers back + to you.

Fortunately there are many publicly usable anonymous proxies out there, which solve the problem by providing a further level of indirection between you and @@ -312,7 +337,7 @@ CLASS="APPLICATION" on (those suspicious) people with a more than average preference for privacy.

You can find a list of anonymous public proxies at multiproxy.org and many @@ -324,7 +349,7 @@ TARGET="_top" >).

There is, however, even in the single-machine case the possibility to make the - server believe that your machine is in fact a shared proxy serving a whole big + server believe that your machine is in fact a shared proxy serving a large LAN, and we are looking into that.

4.7. Can 4.8. Can Privoxy guarantee I am anonymous?

guarantee I am anonymous?

No. Your chances of remaining anonymous are greatly improved, but unless you are an expert on Internet security it would be safest to assume that @@ -381,10 +406,10 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

4.8. Might some things break because header information or -content is being altered?

4.9. Might some things break because header information or +content is being altered?

Definitely. More and more sites use HTTP header content to decide what to display and how to display it. There is many ways that this can be handled, @@ -431,16 +456,16 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

4.9. Can 4.10. Can Privoxy act as a "caching" proxy to -speed up web browsing?

No, it does not have this ability at all. You want something like

4.10. What about as a firewall? Can 4.11. What about as a firewall? Can Privoxy protect me?

protect me?

Not in the way you mean, or in the way a true firewall can.

4.11. I have large empty spaces / a checkerboard pattern now where -ads used to be. Why?

4.12. I have large empty spaces / a checkerboard pattern now where +ads used to be. Why?

It would be technically possible eliminate the banners in a way that frees their screen estate in many cases, by doing all banner blocking with filters, @@ -524,12 +549,12 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

4.12. How can 4.13. How can Privoxy filter Secure (HTTPS) URLs?

filter Secure (HTTPS) URLs?

Since secure HTTP connections are encrypted SSL sessions between your browser and the secure site, and are meant to be reliably "Content cookies" (those that are embedded in the actual HTML or - JS page content, see filter{content-cookies}), in an SSL transaction will be impossible to block under these conditions. Fortunately, this does not seem to be a very common scenario since most @@ -586,16 +611,16 @@ CLASS="SECT2" >

4.13. 4.14. Privoxy runs as a "server". How -secure is it? Do I need to take any special precautions?

There are no known exploits that might affect 4.14. How can I temporarily disable 4.15. How can I temporarily disable Privoxy??

The easiest way is to access 4.15. When 4.16. When "disabled" is Privoxy totally -out of the picture?

No, this just means all filtering and actions are disabled. 4.16. My logs show 4.17. My logs show Privoxy "crunch"??

A 4.17. Can 4.18. Can Privoxy effect files that I download -from a webserver? FTP server?

From the webserver's perspective, there is no difference between viewing a document (i.e. a page), and downloading a file. The same is true of Privoxy. If there is a match for a . If there is a match for a block pattern, it will still be blocked, and of course this is obvious.

4.18. I just downloaded a Perl script, and 4.19. I just downloaded a Perl script, and Privoxy -altered it! Yikes, what is wrong!

Please read above.

4.19. Where can I find more information about 4.20. Where can I find more information about Privoxy -and related issues?

Other references and sites of interest to

-

http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/ijbswa/contrib/, cool - and fun ideas from Privoxy users. -

+

-

http://www.waldherr.org/junkbuster/, - Stefan Waldherr's version of Junkbuster, from which Privoxy was - derived. -

+

4.20. I've noticed that Privoxy changes 4.21. I've noticed that Privoxy changes "Microsoft" to "MicroSuck"! Why are you manipulating my browsing?! Why are you manipulating my browsing?

We're not. The text substitutions that you are seeing are disabled in the default configuration as shipped. You have either manually activated the ""funfun" filter which is clearly labeled Troubleshooting5. Troubleshooting5. Troubleshooting

5.1. I just upgraded and am getting 5.1. I am getting "connection refused" -with every web page?

Either Privoxy is using.

The old Early Privoxy (and also +> versions (and also Junkbusterlisten-addresslisten-address option in

5.2. I just added a new rule, but the steenkin ad is -still getting through. How?

If the ad had been displayed before you added its URL, it will probably be held in the browser's cache for some time, so it will be displayed without @@ -152,7 +152,8 @@ HREF="http://config.privoxy.org/show-url-info" TARGET="_top" >http://config.privoxy.org/show-url-info - and see if it really matches your new rule.

5.3. One of my favorite sites does not work with Privoxy. -What can I do?

First verify that it is indeed a Alternately, if you are comfortable with a text editor, you can accomplish the same thing by editing the appropriate actions file. Probably the easiest way to deal with such problems when editing by hand is to add your - site to a { fragile }{ fragile } section in user.action5.4. After installing Privoxy, I have to log in -every time I start IE. What gives?

This is a quirk that effects the installation of 5.5. I cannot connect to any FTP sites. Privoxy - seems to be blocking me.

Most browsers understand FTP as well as HTTP. If you connect to a site, with - a URL like ftp://ftp.example.comftp://ftp.example.com, your browser is making an FTP connection, and not a HTTP connection. So while your browser may speak FTP, 5.6. In Mac OSX, I can't configure Microsoft Internet Explorer to use Privoxy as the HTTP proxy. as the HTTP proxy.

Microsoft Internet Explorer (in versions like 5.1) respects system-wide network settings. In order to change the HTTP proxy, open System Preferences, and click on the Network icon. In the settings pane that comes up, click on the Proxies tab. Ensure the "Web Proxy (HTTP)" checkbox - is checked and enter 127.0.0.1127.0.0.1 in the entry field. - Enter 81188118 in the Port field. The next time you start IE, it should reflect these values.

5.7. 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 - empty the trash.

Just dragging the 5.8. In Mac OSX Panther (10.3), images often fail to load and/or I experience random delays in page loading. I'm using - localhost as my browser's proxy setting.localhost as my browser's proxy setting.

We believe this is due to an IPv6-related bug in OSX, but don't fully understand the issue yet. In any case, changing the proxy setting to - 127.0.0.1 instead of 127.0.0.1 instead of localhostlocalhost works around the problem.

5.9. I get a completely blank page at one site. "View Source"Privoxy the page loads fine. the page loads fine.

Chances are that the site suffers from a bug in

To find out if this is in fact the source of the problem, try adding - the site to a -prevent-compression-prevent-compression section in 5.10. Why am I getting a 503 Error (WSAECONNREFUSED) on every page?5.10. Why am I getting a 503 Error (WSAECONNREFUSED) on every page?

More than likely this is a problem with the network stack. ZoneAlarm has +> More than likely this is a problem with your TCP/IP networking. ZoneAlarm has been reported to cause this symptom -- even if not running. The solution is to either fight the ZA configuration, or uninstall ZoneAlarm, and then find - something better behaved in its place. Other firewall type products may - cause similar type problems if not configured correctly. + something better behaved in its place. Other personal firewall type products + may cause similar type problems if not configured correctly.

5.11. My logs show many "Unable to get my own hostname" lines. -Why?

Privoxy logs this condition.

Typically, this would be considered a system configuration error. It is not a - fatal error to Typically, this would be considered a minor system configuration error. It is + not a fatal error to Privoxy however, but may result in - a much slower response from however, but may + result in a much slower response from Privoxy due to DNS - timeouts.

on + some platforms due to DNS timeouts.

5.12. When I try to launch Privoxy"port 8118 is already in use" (or similar wording). -Why?

Port 8118 is Privoxy - on the same port, which will not work. How and why this might happen varies + on the same port, which will not work. (You can have multiple instances but + they must be assigned different ports.) How and why this might happen varies from platform to platform, but you need to check your installation and start-up procedures.

5.13. Pages with UTF-8 fonts are garbled.5.13. Pages with UTF-8 fonts are garbled.

This is caused by the "demoronizer" filter, which was introduced - in version 3.0.2, and was inappropriately turned on by default. You should - either upgrade filter. You should either + upgrade Privoxy, or at least upgrade to the most +>, or at least upgrade to the most recent default.action file available from - file available from SourceForge5.14. Why are binary files (such as images) corrupted when Privoxy - is used?

This may also be caused by the Privoxy's filtering - (unless the web server by mistake says the file is a plain text file). Either + (unless the web server by mistake says the file is something else). Either upgrade Privoxy5.15. What is the "demoronizer" and why is it there? and why is it there?

The original demoronizer was a Perl script that cleaned up HTML pages which were created with certain Microsoft products. MS has used proprietary extensions @@ -722,13 +722,6 @@ CLASS="EMPHASIS" >

On the other hand, if you use non-Microsoft products, and you occasionally notice wierd characters on pages, you might want to try it.

This filter was introduced with version 3.0.2 of Privoxy, - and was on by default in that version. It is off in all subsequent versions - (unless turned on by the user).

5.16. Why do I keep seeing "PrivoxyWindowOpen()" in raw source code? in raw source code?

Privoxy is attempting to disable malicious - Javascript in this case, with the unsolicited-popupsunsolicited-popups filter.

5.17. I am getting too many DNS errors like "404 No Such Domain". Why + can't Privoxy do this better?

There are potentially several factors here. First of all, the DNS resolution + is done by the underlying operating system -- not + Privoxy itself. Privoxy + merely initiates the process and hands it off, and then later reports + whatever the outcome was. And tries to give a coherent message if there seems + to be a problem. In some cases, this might otherwise be mitigated by the + browser itself which might try some work-arounds and alernate approaches (e.g + adding "www." to the URL). In other cases, if + Privoxy is being chained with another proxy, this + could complicate the issue, and cause undue + delays and timeouts. In the case of a "socks4a" proxy, the socks + server handles all the DNS. Privoxy would just be + the "messenger" which is reporting whatever problem occurred + downstream, and not the root cause of the error.

In any case, v. 3.0.4 includes various improvements to help + Privoxy better handle these cases.

5.18. At one site Privoxy just hangs, and starts taking + all CPU. Why is this?

This is probably a manifestation of the "100% cpu" problem that + occurs on pages containing many (thousands upon thousands) of blank lines. The blank lines + are in the raw HTML source of the page, and the browser just ignores them. But the + pattern matching in Privoxy's page filtering + mechanism is trying to match against absurdly long strings and this becomes + very CPU-intensive, taking a long, long time to complete. Until a better + solution comes along, disable filtering on these pages, particularly the + js-annoyances and unsolicited-popups + filters.