[tor-talk] An external application is needed...

[Tor User0000]

HI,

I know what this message means, the question is why it is displayed when
clicking on a download link. And it was not a pdf or something, it was an
example with the TBB on the tor webpage.

Maybe Mike can advise?

Have a great day! :-)

On Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 5:41 PM, Joe Btfsplk <joebtfsplk at gmx.com> wrote:

> On 3/9/2012 9:17 AM, Tor User0000 wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I was always wondering why I get the following pop-up message when
>> downloading a file. And it does not happen all the time. Why it says that
>> an external app is needed when only opening the download window?
>>
>> *An external application is needed to handle:
>>
>>
>> https://www.torproject.org/**dist/torbrowser/linux/tor-**
>> browser-gnu-linux-i686-2.2.35-**7.2-dev-en-US.tar.gz<https://www.torproject.org/dist/torbrowser/linux/tor-browser-gnu-linux-i686-2.2.35-7.2-dev-en-US.tar.gz>
>>
>> NOTE: External applications are NOT Tor safe by default and can unmask
>> you!
>>
>> If this file is untrusted, you should either save it to view while offline
>> or in a VM,
>> or consider using a transparent Tor proxy like Tails LiveCD or torsocks.
>>
>> *Thanks for the help! :-)*
>>
> The difference, I believe, is when there is an option of either opening
> the file w/ some application(s) or d/l it, Tor browser / Torbutton warns
> that not all applications will preserve anonymity, if launched inside Tor /
> TBB.  Whether you get the pop up could depend on how you have set the
> browser (& perhaps certain applications) to handle diff file types.
>
> Like in Firefox, under Options>Applications, you can set PDF files to
> "Always ask," "Save," or "Use <Application Name>".  If a file type is set
> to always save it to disk, you probably won't get the pop up you mention,
> because no application is going to try to open it vs saving to disk.
>
> Most files COULD be opened, instead of saving to disk.  What info might be
> leaked to compromise (in some way) anonymity, depends on the app & how it's
> configured, if it is configured to use the Tor network as a proxy, how well
> it handles using it, etc.  I think most would agree, while using Tor, it's
> safer to save the file to disk, then open it.  Depending on WHAT type file,
> maybe opening / running it after closing Tor.  Especially if not d/l from a
> known, trusted site & you're not absolutely sure what the file is & does.
>  Others may have more insight on specifics of this.
>
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