[Announce] Introducing Tor VM – Tor in a virtual machine.

[Kyle Williams]

http://www.janusvm.com/tor_vm/


 Tor VM is a small virtual machine that acts as a router and redirects your
TCP traffic and DNS request through Tor while filtering out protocols that
could jeopardize your anonymity. Tor VM is built using all open source
software and is free.


 There are many advantages to running Tor in a virtual machine. Any
application on any operating system that uses TCP for communication is
routed over Tor. By using a small virtual machine that acts as a router,
protocols such as UDP and ICMP are filtered, preventing a compromise of your
anonymity. Placing Tor in a virtual machine separates Tor from potentially
insecure applications that could compromises Tor's integrity and your
security.


 The Tor VM ISO is designed to be run in a virtual machine, not on physical
hardware. The ISO requires two virtual NICs to be used; one bridged
interface, one OpenVPN Tun/Tap adapter. The Windows build of Tor VM is
portable and includes QEMU to run the virtual machine, but requires
Administrator privileges to install the Tap32 adapter. Traffic is routed
through the Tap interface, into the VM, TCP and DNS are directed to Tor's
Transport while other protocols are discarded, then Tor does it's magic with
your traffic. More details can be found in the design documentation.


 Lots of people are going to ask "What's the difference between JanusVM and
Tor VM?", so I'll address this now. JanusVM was designed to be used by
multiple users, runs HTTP traffic through Squid and Privoxy, and was build
on top of Debian packages. Tor VM is built from entirely 100% open source
software, is pre-configured to support only a single user, is much smaller
in size, uses less memory than JanusVM, and works with QEMU. Is Tor VM going
to replace JanusVM?? It's too soon to tell.


 This software is in the late alpha stages of development; work is still in
progress. For the time being, Tor VM is being hosted on the JanusVM server.
Martin and I would appreciate it if a few of you would give Tor VM a go and
provide us with your feedback. Feel free to review the We look forward to
hearing from the community.


 One last thing. Mad props to coderman! Martin did an amazing job hacking
QEMU and the WinPCAP drivers in order to create an interface that is a raw
bridge into the existing network card. This is just as good as VMware bridge
service, if not better! It's Amazing work; make sure to take a close look at
what is under the hood. Tor VM wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for
his insane amount of knowledge and skill. Let me be the first to say it;
Thank You. :)



 Best Regards,


 Kyle Williams
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