Tor + Privoxy + Torbutton / Tor + Polipo + Torbutton configuration nightmare.

[AzraelSepultura]

Alright, I'm new to Backtrack, and Linux in general. However, I've google'd until my eyes bled, read the FAQ and rules, and can't seem to get this problem solved.

All I seem to get out of TOR with Privoxy is socks4a-forward errors, and with Polipo I just get TTL expired errors. When installing or configuring, I get no errors. Everything seems to "go in" just fine.

Threads I have read:
--------------------
Backtrack .. and TOR .. you dont say!
Configuring tor in BackTrack 4
Privoxy works, Tor doesn't. <- Poster's problem "magically" went away...
Problems with Tor and Privoxy....
Installing Tor and Privoxy
And more...

Things I have done:
-------------------
Followed all scripts/codes/advice verbatim (updated to reflect dead links)
Verified correct system time
Edited privoxy.conf file appropriately
Tried updated versions of TOR/Privoxy/Torbutton
Checked hosts.allow and hosts.deny
Restarted Tor and Privoxy/Polipo
Downloaded working sample polipo.conf
Tried running "install-less" tor browser bundle for GNU/Linux <-- doesn't work at all.

All I want is to be able to browse TOR from a non-persistent live cd, so I don't have to go super paranoid mode and run it from a windows virtual machine on a ramdisk :/

Any pointers would be appreciated.

[me.haez]

hey.. tried tor and privoxy a few days ago.. this is the way it works for me
1.sudo apt-get install tor privoxy
2.edit the /etc/privoxy/config

3. For bash tools i edited --> /profile/.bashrc

4. start the daeomons -->/etc/init.d/privoxy start && /etc/init.d/tor start
5. 2 use in firefox --> set connections settings "Manual proxy configuration" 127.0.0.1 port 8118

maybe this will help you further ; )

..h43z

[AzraelSepultura]

Well, it took long enough, but I've finally figured out the problem. For some odd reason, I have to set my system time 5 hours into the future for TOR to work. I suspect that my time is being configured properly, but something isn't properly set with regards to my time zone. Also, I rather stupidly spelled "forward" as "foward" in the config file.

So here's the EASY way:

1. Open a console and copy+paste these

sudo echo "forward-socks4a / 127.0.0.1:9050 ." >> /etc/privoxy/config

2.

sudo /etc/init.d/privoxy restart && /etc/init.d/tor restart

3. In Firefox/Iceweasel set your proxy settings manually
HTTP =127.0.0.1:8118
SSL =127.0.0.1:8118
SOCKSv4 =127.0.0.1:9050

If TOR still does not connect without an apparent reason, do THIS:

1. Download the Vidalia source code (not required, but useful for troubleshooting)
2. Extract the compressed files
3. Follow the three commands listed in the INSTALL file that will be in the extracted folder to build and install vidalia
4. run vidalia
5. click "Messages" (bottom left on the GUI)
6. see if it tells you your clock is set improperly. It will tell you the offset in seconds
7. set your time according to the offset. A quick google search will reveal some console commands to do this. If the resulting time is in the next day, remember to increment/decrement the day appropriately.
8. TOR should be working
9. ???
10. PROFIT

Once you know the offset, it obviously won't be necessary to download vidalia anymore. The only thing to remember will be the offset, and the Linux date commands.

Special thanks to Haez for at least attempting to help