github.com/lbryio/lbcd@v0.22.119/docs/configuring_tor.md (about)

     1  # Configuring TOR
     2  
     3  lbcd provides full support for anonymous networking via the
     4  [Tor Project](https://www.torproject.org/), including [client-only](#Client)
     5  and [hidden service](#HiddenService) configurations along with
     6  [stream isolation](#TorStreamIsolation).  In addition, lbcd supports a hybrid,
     7  [bridge mode](#Bridge) which is not anonymous, but allows it to operate as a
     8  bridge between regular nodes and hidden service nodes without routing the
     9  regular connections through Tor.
    10  
    11  While it is easier to only run as a client, it is more beneficial to the Bitcoin
    12  network to run as both a client and a server so others may connect to you to as
    13  you are connecting to them.  We recommend you take the time to setup a Tor
    14  hidden service for this reason.
    15  
    16  ## Client-only
    17  
    18  Configuring lbcd as a Tor client is straightforward.  The first step is
    19  obviously to install Tor and ensure it is working. Once that is done, all that
    20  typically needs to be done is to specify the `--proxy` flag via the lbcd command
    21  line or in the lbcd configuration file.  Typically the Tor proxy address will be
    22  127.0.0.1:9050 (if using standalone Tor) or 127.0.0.1:9150 (if using the Tor
    23  Browser Bundle).  If you have Tor configured to require a username and password,
    24  you may specify them with the `--proxyuser` and `--proxypass` flags.
    25  
    26  By default, lbcd assumes the proxy specified with `--proxy` is a Tor proxy and
    27  hence will send all traffic, including DNS resolution requests, via the
    28  specified proxy.
    29  
    30  NOTE: Specifying the `--proxy` flag disables listening by default since you will
    31  not be reachable for inbound connections unless you also configure a Tor
    32  [hidden service](#HiddenService).
    33  
    34  ### Command line example
    35  
    36  ```bash
    37  ./lbcd --proxy=127.0.0.1:9050
    38  ```
    39  
    40  ### Config file example
    41  
    42  ```text
    43  [Application Options]
    44  
    45  proxy=127.0.0.1:9050
    46  ```
    47  
    48  ## Client-server via Tor hidden service
    49  
    50  The first step is to configure Tor to provide a hidden service.  Documentation
    51  for this can be found on the Tor project website
    52  [here](https://www.torproject.org/docs/tor-hidden-service.html.en).  However,
    53  there is no need to install a web server locally as the linked instructions
    54  discuss since lbcd will act as the server.
    55  
    56  In short, the instructions linked above entail modifying your `torrc` file to
    57  add something similar to the following, restarting Tor, and opening the
    58  `hostname` file in the `HiddenServiceDir` to obtain your hidden service .onion
    59  address.
    60  
    61  ```text
    62  HiddenServiceDir /var/tor/lbcd
    63  HiddenServicePort 9246 127.0.0.1:9246
    64  ```
    65  
    66  Once Tor is configured to provide the hidden service and you have obtained your
    67  generated .onion address, configuring lbcd as a Tor hidden service requires
    68  three flags:
    69  
    70  * `--proxy` to identify the Tor (SOCKS 5) proxy to use for outgoing traffic.
    71    This is typically 127.0.0.1:9050.
    72  * `--listen` to enable listening for inbound connections since `--proxy`
    73    disables listening by default
    74  * `--externalip` to set the .onion address that is advertised to other peers
    75  
    76  ### Command line example
    77  
    78  ```bash
    79  ./lbcd --proxy=127.0.0.1:9050 --listen=127.0.0.1 --externalip=fooanon.onion
    80  ```
    81  
    82  ### Config file example
    83  
    84  ```text
    85  [Application Options]
    86  
    87  proxy=127.0.0.1:9050
    88  listen=127.0.0.1
    89  externalip=fooanon.onion
    90  ```
    91  
    92  ## Bridge mode (not anonymous)
    93  
    94  lbcd provides support for operating as a bridge between regular nodes and hidden
    95  service nodes.  In particular this means only traffic which is directed to or
    96  from a .onion address is sent through Tor while other traffic is sent normally.
    97  _As a result, this mode is **NOT** anonymous._
    98  
    99  This mode works by specifying an onion-specific proxy, which is pointed at Tor,
   100  by using the `--onion` flag via the lbcd command line or in the lbcd
   101  configuration file.  If you have Tor configured to require a username and
   102  password, you may specify them with the `--onionuser` and `--onionpass` flags.
   103  
   104  NOTE: This mode will also work in conjunction with a hidden service which means
   105  you could accept inbound connections both via the normal network and to your
   106  hidden service through the Tor network.  To enable your hidden service in bridge
   107  mode, you only need to specify your hidden service's .onion address via the
   108  `--externalip` flag since traffic to and from .onion addresses are already
   109  routed via Tor due to the `--onion` flag.
   110  
   111  ### Command line example
   112  
   113  ```bash
   114  ./lbcd --onion=127.0.0.1:9050 --externalip=fooanon.onion
   115  ```
   116  
   117  ### Config file example
   118  
   119  ```text
   120  [Application Options]
   121  
   122  onion=127.0.0.1:9050
   123  externalip=fooanon.onion
   124  ```
   125  
   126  ## Tor stream isolation
   127  
   128  Tor stream isolation forces Tor to build a new circuit for each connection
   129  making it harder to correlate connections.
   130  
   131  lbcd provides support for Tor stream isolation by using the `--torisolation`
   132  flag.  This option requires --proxy or --onionproxy to be set.
   133  
   134  ### Command line example
   135  
   136  ```bash
   137  ./lbcd --proxy=127.0.0.1:9050 --torisolation
   138  ```
   139  
   140  ### Config file example
   141  
   142  ```text
   143  [Application Options]
   144  
   145  proxy=127.0.0.1:9050
   146  torisolation=1
   147  ```