Vidalia is a GUI for Tor, the free onion-router implementation that can provide anonymous internet communication. This program resides in the system tray and provides quick, 1-click anonymous internet access. It allows you to start and stop Tor, view it’s status and bandwidth usage, and even setup your own Tor server if you want that can contribute to the anonymous network.
If you’re not familiar with Tor, it is an “onion router” program that can provide some degree of internet anonymity through a worldwide network of interconnected servers that employ the technology (the “onion” metaphor refers to the use of a set of encrypted layers to get the anonymity). What Vidalia does is (a) make it really easy to use Tor straight from your system tray, and (b) install all the tools that you need to get anonymous internet access in one or two clicks (Tor, Privoxy, and TorButton for Firefox). Here are some notes on this program:
- Installation: the full Vidalia setup will also install Tor, Privoxy, and TorButton, which are all the tools that you will need.
- Setup: if you are using Firefox you will simply be able to turn Tor off and on using TorButton (click or right-click the bottom right corner in Firefox to access). You will have to configure Internet Explorer and other applications manually (say, a P2P app, Torrent client, or download manager). See here for how to do this (jump to step two: “To torrify other applications that support HTTP proxies ….”).
The Tor Network map: a cool feature of Vidalia where you can observe the geographic location of servers on the Tor network on a world map, including where your own traffic is going.- Will Tor/Vidalia provide anonymous and secure surfing: anonymous yes, but not secure. While Tor can provide a degree of anonymity, it is not encrypted and therefore not 100% safe. Tor is best used to withhold/disguise your IP address (for example, to work around cases where access from your country is blocked). However, your transmitted data can in theory be intercepted. If you are trying to use Tor to, say, download copyrighted material it is apparently not a 100% foolproof disguise of your identiry. See here for a list of how people use Tor. More info on Tor vulnerabilities here.
- Surfing speed: once you activate Tor and surf anonymously you are likely to experience slower surfing speeds than normal. This is largely inevitable, although depending on which servers your traffic is going through can be variable.
- Portability: Vidalia can be run portably; see here.
- Memory use: 40 megs total: 20 megs for Vidalia, 15 for Tor, and 5 megs for Privoxy. On the other hand, you only need run it when you need it.
The verdict: this is a very nice app with a straightforward, clean interface and works really well. Insofar as it provides 1-click anonymous internet access this is simply great app and highly recommended.
Version Tested: 0.0.16
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux. Vidalia requires Tor 0.1.2.x or later. If you’re installing the Windows or Mac OS X bundle, then the latest version of Tor is already included
Go to the program page to download the latest version (approx 6.38 megs). .
i have to say is the best antivirus i install on my computer keep my computer...
I used to use this ages ago, but loading webpages was *painfully* slow. Is the performance any better these days?
NO BETTER.
IMHO, OperaTor is a better solution … nothing to install or configure … it just works, it’s fast and when you quit, all evidence goes away.
There is also a Firefox version with built in Tor. Used to be named TorPark but is called Xerobank browser nowadays, and it can also run from an USB stick.
But I think Vidalia is cool too, it is more easy to configure. If you don’t want to configure anything. If you don’t want to tweak, go for OperaTor or Xerobank.
Thanks guys for all the feedback. It sounds a bit strange to me that the variance in surfing speed might be attributable to the local software (Vidalia in this case) rather than the network of Tor servers. Having said that, I will defer to your experiences as I cannot claim to be an expert on this subject.
I gave up on OperaTor. It was like having dial-up all over again.
Actually Samer you are correct. They were just naming off other options that are easier to use, not faster options. Keep up the good work!
Cheers!
Is it safe? Can I pay credit card bills etc with it?
@Anonymous:
I’ll quote ‘Gizmo Richards’, of http://wwwTechSupportAlert.com, home of “The 46 Best Freeware Utilities” (another great freeware site, btw) -
“TorPark [Xerobank/Tor Network] creates a secure encrypted connection between the PC you are using and the first Tor server. This allows you to safely transmit information without fear of local interception. This makes it ideal for surfing on open Wi-Fi networks.”
I would make sure I had a good firewall, AntiVirus & AntiSpyware alsso, but if Vidalia/Xerobank/OperaTor really DO use a ‘secure encrypted connection’, you should be Much SAFER, from LOCAL interception – but your data passes through SEVERAL servers, not all encrypted, so it’s possible that your data could be intercepted- You’re NEVER 100% Safe, even in person, at your bank!
Can anyone confirm whether the first ‘Hop’ is an encrypted connection?
Where can I download a free program that will protect my computer from being identified and the information I send via an unprotected WiFi connection???
@V
Try this one: http://www.anchorfree.com/downloads/hotspot-shield/
Haven’t tested it myself.
Pozdrawiam wszystkich anonimowych rodaków. TOR jest fajny, ale uwa?ajcie je?li ustawicie opcj? “udost?pnij swój komputer” (czy jako? tak, jako w?ze? sieci). Ja t? opcj? ustawi?em i bardzo szybko mi system shakowali, teraz musze instalowac na nowo… Windows XP, ale ogolnie nie jest zbyt bezpieczny system, rozne niespodzianki moga sie zdarzy? …
there is problem with my vidalia…whenever i make a tor connection ….& try to run utorrent(even if i not)…tor closwes after sumtym….dis has started happening jst few days back…earlier there was no problem with it….if any1 can help me with dis…..it would be nice of you….i have saced d message log…if it could help u in any way..i would be happy to send it to you…