[tor-bugs] #11652 [Tor bundles/installation]: Review text of Short User Manual

Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki blackhole at torproject.org
Tue Apr 29 21:19:42 UTC 2014


#11652: Review text of Short User Manual
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------
     Reporter:  mttp                 |      Owner:
         Type:  task                 |     Status:  new
     Priority:  normal               |  Milestone:
    Component:  Tor                  |    Version:
  bundles/installation               |   Keywords:  tbum, manual,
   Resolution:                       |  documentation
Actual Points:                       |  Parent ID:
       Points:                       |
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------
Description changed by mttp:

Old description:

> I've written up some new information that I propose be used in the Tor
> Browser User Manual. I think this ticket is a good place for review,
> critique, syntax changes, organizational suggestions, etc.
>
> index:
>
> = Tor Browser Help =
> [xref:how-tor-works TorHow Tor works.][xref:troubleshooting
> TroubleshootingWhat to do if Tor Browser doesn't
> work.][xref:circumvention CircumventionWhat to do if the Tor network is
> blocked.][xref:bridges BridgesWhat bridges are and how to use
> them.][xref:uninstalling UninstallingHow to remove Tor Browser from your
> system.]troubleshooting:
>
> = Troubleshooting =
> The Tor Browser should get you online automatically after clicking the
> "Connect" button on the start up screen.
>
> <screenshot of connect button>
>
> If it doesn't connect, there may be a simple fix. Try each of the
> following:
>
>  * Make sure another Tor Browser is not already running. If you're not
> sure if Tor Browser is running, restart your computer.
>

>  * 'Allow' Tor in your antivirus program.
>

>  * Temporarily disable your firewall.
>

>  * Delete Tor Browser and install it again. If updating, do not overwrite
> your previous Tor Browser files.
>

>
> If you still can't connect, your internet service provider might be
> censoring connections to Tor. Follow the instructions in the
> [xref:circumvention Circumvention] section.
>
> If the above steps do not address your problem, email
> help at rt.torproject.org with your operating system, the details of your
> problem, and what you've already tried.
>
> circumvention:
>
> = Circumvention =
> Some firewalls can detect and block connections to Tor. The Tor Browser
> includes some circumvention tools for getting around blocking firewalls.
> These circumvention tools are called Pluggable Transports. To turn them
> on, click "Configure" in the Tor launcher window.
>
> <screenshot of configure button>
>
> Select yes when asked if your internet service provider blocks
> connections to Tor."
>
> <screenshot of tor-launcher wizard>
>
> Select "Connect with provided bridges". Tor Browser has three Pluggable
> Transports to choose from. If one fails to get you online, try selecting
> a different transport.
>
> <screenshot of transport drop-down menu>
>
> If you try all three transports, and none of them get you online, select
> "Enter custom bridges", and enter bridges manually. Read the
> [xref:bridges Getting Bridges] section for instructions on getting custom
> bridges.
>
> bridges:
>
> = Bridges =
> Bridges are quiet gateways into the Tor Network. Like Tor relays, they
> are run by volunteers. Unlike relays, they are not listed publicly. Using
> bridges disguise the fact that one is using Tor.
>
> Currently there are five bridge types, or transports, available. More are
> being developed.
>
> || ORPort || Requesting 'bridges' without specifying the bridge type,
> will return ORPort bridges, also called Vanilla bridges. ORPort bridges
> are NOT reliable for circumventing censorship or national firewalls.
> ORPort bridges can be useful as trusted entry points into the Tor
> network. ||
> || obfs2 || Censors have learned how to identify obfs2 bridges. This
> transport is being deprecated. ||
> || obfs3 || Obfsproxy disguises Tor traffic as random noise. obfs3
> bridges work almost everywhere. A few obfs3 bridges have been blocked. ||
> || Scramblesuit || Scramblesuit is an additional tool for the obfsproxy
> transport. Scramblesuit bridges are designed to be hard to identify and
> hard to block. ||
> || FTE || Format-Transforming Encryption disguises Tor traffic as web
> (HTTP) traffic or other types of internet traffic. FTE bridges are
> effective, but in limited supply. ||
>
> (Note that flashproxy is a Pluggable Transport, but does not rely on
> bridges.)
>
> There are four ways to get a bridge.
>
>  1. Visit https://bridges.torproject.org/ and follow the instructions.
>

>  1. Email bridges at bridges.torproject.org from a gmail or yahoo email
> address. Put get bridges in the body for ORPort bridges or
> transport=obfs3for obfs3 bridges.
>

>  1. Politely ask a human at help at rt.torproject.org if you cannot access
> either of the first two methods.
>

>  1. Install and configure a Tor instance to be bridge for yourself. The
> computer acting as a bridge must have uncensored internet access to the
> Tor network. A full installation guide can be found
> at[https://www.torproject.org/projects/obfsproxy-debian-
> instructions.html.en https://www.torproject.org/projects/obfsproxy-
> debian-instructions.html.en]
>

>
> Enter the bridge information you get from any of the above steps in Tor-
> launcher.
>
> Choose yes when asked if your Internet Service Provider blocks
> connections to the Tor network. Select 'Use custom bridges' and enter
> each bridge identifier on its own line.
>
> <screenshot of custom bridge entry>
>
> Click Connect. Using bridges slow down the connection. If the connection
> fails, the bridges you received may be down. Get more and try again.
>
> uninstalling:
>
> = Uninstalling =
> The Tor Browser does not affect any of the existing software or settings
> on your computer. Uninstalling Tor Browser will not affect your system's
> software or settings either.
>
> Removing the Tor Browser from your system is simple:
>
>  1. Locate your Tor Browser folder. The default location is your Desktop.
>

>  1. Delete the Tor Browser folder.
>

>  1. Empty your Trash
>

>
> Note that your operating system's standard "Uninstall" utility is not
> used.

New description:

 I've written up some new information that I propose be used in the Tor
 Browser User Manual. I think this ticket is a good place for review,
 critique, syntax changes, organizational suggestions, etc.

 index:

 = Tor Browser Help =
 [xref:how-tor-works TorHow Tor works.][xref:troubleshooting
 TroubleshootingWhat to do if Tor Browser doesn't work.][xref:circumvention
 CircumventionWhat to do if the Tor network is blocked.][xref:bridges
 BridgesWhat bridges are and how to use them.][xref:uninstalling
 UninstallingHow to remove Tor Browser from your system.]= Troubleshooting
 =
 The Tor Browser should get you online automatically after clicking the
 "Connect" button on the start up screen.

 <screenshot of connect button>

 If it doesn't connect, there may be a simple fix. Try each of the
 following:

  * Make sure another Tor Browser is not already running. If you're not
 sure if Tor Browser is running, restart your computer.

  * 'Allow' Tor in your antivirus program.

  * Temporarily disable your firewall.

  * Delete Tor Browser and install it again. If updating, do not overwrite
 your previous Tor Browser files.

 If you still can't connect, your internet service provider might be
 censoring connections to Tor. Follow the instructions in the
 [xref:circumvention Circumvention] section.

 If the above steps do not address your problem, email
 help at rt.torproject.org with your operating system, the details of your
 problem, and what you've already tried.

 circumvention:

 = Circumvention =
 Some firewalls can detect and block connections to Tor. The Tor Browser
 includes some circumvention tools for getting around blocking firewalls.
 These circumvention tools are called Pluggable Transports. To turn them
 on, click "Configure" in the Tor launcher window.

 <screenshot of configure button>

 Select yes when asked if your internet service provider blocks connections
 to Tor."

 <screenshot of tor-launcher wizard>

 Select "Connect with provided bridges". Tor Browser has three Pluggable
 Transports to choose from. If one fails to get you online, try selecting a
 different transport.

 <screenshot of transport drop-down menu>

 If you try all three transports, and none of them get you online, select
 "Enter custom bridges", and enter bridges manually. Read the [xref:bridges
 Getting Bridges] section for instructions on getting custom bridges.

 bridges:

 = Bridges =
 Bridges are quiet gateways into the Tor Network. Like Tor relays, they are
 run by volunteers. Unlike relays, they are not listed publicly. Using
 bridges disguise the fact that one is using Tor.

 Currently there are five bridge types, or transports, available. More are
 being developed.

 || ORPort || Requesting 'bridges' without specifying the bridge type, will
 return ORPort bridges, also called Vanilla bridges. ORPort bridges are NOT
 reliable for circumventing censorship or national firewalls. ORPort
 bridges can be useful as trusted entry points into the Tor network. ||
 || obfs2 || Censors have learned how to identify obfs2 bridges. This
 transport is being deprecated. ||
 || obfs3 || Obfsproxy disguises Tor traffic as random noise. obfs3 bridges
 work almost everywhere. A few obfs3 bridges have been blocked. ||
 || Scramblesuit || Scramblesuit is an additional tool for the obfsproxy
 transport. Scramblesuit bridges are designed to be hard to identify and
 hard to block. ||
 || FTE || Format-Transforming Encryption disguises Tor traffic as web
 (HTTP) traffic or other types of internet traffic. FTE bridges are
 effective, but in limited supply. ||

 (Note that flashproxy is a Pluggable Transport, but does not rely on
 bridges.)

 There are four ways to get a bridge.

  1. Visit https://bridges.torproject.org/ and follow the instructions.

  1. Email bridges at bridges.torproject.org from a gmail or yahoo email
 address. Put get bridges in the body for ORPort bridges or
 transport=obfs3for obfs3 bridges.

  1. Politely ask a human at help at rt.torproject.org if you cannot access
 either of the first two methods.

  1. Install and configure a Tor instance to be bridge for yourself. The
 computer acting as a bridge must have uncensored internet access to the
 Tor network. A full installation guide can be found
 at[https://www.torproject.org/projects/obfsproxy-debian-
 instructions.html.en https://www.torproject.org/projects/obfsproxy-debian-
 instructions.html.en]

 Enter the bridge information you get from any of the above steps in Tor-
 launcher.

 Choose yes when asked if your Internet Service Provider blocks connections
 to the Tor network. Select 'Use custom bridges' and enter each bridge
 identifier on its own line.

 <screenshot of custom bridge entry>

 Click Connect. Using bridges slow down the connection. If the connection
 fails, the bridges you received may be down. Get more and try again.

 uninstalling:

 = Uninstalling =
 The Tor Browser does not affect any of the existing software or settings
 on your computer. Uninstalling Tor Browser will not affect your system's
 software or settings either.

 Removing the Tor Browser from your system is simple:

  1. Locate your Tor Browser folder. The default location is your Desktop.

  1. Delete the Tor Browser folder.

  1. Empty your Trash

 Note that your operating system's standard "Uninstall" utility is not
 used.

--

--
Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/11652#comment:2>
Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki <https://trac.torproject.org/>
The Tor Project: anonymity online


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