Hide Your Data & Identity with SOCKS
Take maximum benefit from your VPS or dedicated server, setting it up to double up as your personal online privacy & web access tool, in seconds!
Use your virtual private or dedicated server to protect data, accessing sites like Facebook or Twitter, else FTP, POP email and IM clients.
There are a variety of proxy options available to VPS or dedicated server owners. This one takes seconds to set up.
Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Take your virtual private server from zero to hero
.. from blank box to cute-as server ..
with this easy-to-follow copy/paste guide.
22+ parts with video, here’s the index.
Remote (VPS) SOCKS Configuration
There is none, because openSSH is setup as a default component of Linux distributions and, as it supports the SOCKS protocol, it’s all you need.
Socks Proxy Setup for Linux (Locally)
Login to your VPS from the terminal:-
ssh -p 54321 -D 1234 username@hostname
- ssh or openSSH is the programme we want to use to enable proxying via SOCKS
- -p 54321 is only necessary if you changed the default port (from 22) in the SSH config file. Not sure? Run sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config and take a look at the port. If it’s “22″, omit this bit (but read this too – Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall – because it should not be “22″)
- -D 1234 is the dynamic bind address, where the number (port assigned for SOCKS proxying) can be pretty much any number you want
- username@hostname is whatever username and hostname or IP address you use to log in to your VPS
Now, stay logged in with that criteria until you want to end your proxy session.
Easy Proxy Login Using bashrc
For regular SOCKS proxy sessions, set up an alias shortcut in your bashrc file. Then, to initialise a proxy session, you can type anything you like into the terminal, for instance:-
socks
To find out how to set that up, read Edit bashrc for User-Friendly Linux, plus System Updates.
Socks Proxy Setup for Windows (Locally using PuTTY)
If you don’t know anything about PuTTY, and use Windows, you can read about it here – Set Up the Command Line Interface (CLI) using PuTTY.
Configure Your Browser or Web Client
Maybe you want to use SOCKS for regular web surfing, else to POP your email or access a server vis FTP. The method varies from client to client but the logic is the same: to specify you want to use SOCKS and to add your dynamic port number.
I’ll example the web browser Firefox, the email client Thunderbird and the FTP client FileZilla .. but like I say it’s a real similar deal with Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, Chrome, Outlook, Evolution, etc.
Configure Firefox for SOCKS Proxying
Open the browser and navigate the menu:-
Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Network > Connection Settings > check Manual proxy settings
Next to SOCKS Host type localhost and in the Port box write the number of the dynamic port you assigned when logging into your remote VPS.
Click OK.
That’s it. Goto http://whatismyip.com to check that it has changed to that of your VPS or dedicated server.
Configure Thunderbird for SOCKS Proxying
Very similar to Firefox:-
Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Network & Disc Space > Connection Settings > check Manual proxy settings
The rest of the procedure is identical.
Configure FileZilla for SOCKS Proxying
Open it up and:-
Edit > Settings > Connection > FTP > Generic proxy > check SOCKS 5
Add the following details (changing your info for the detail in the example ssh -p 54321 -D 1234 username@hostname):-
- Proxy host hostname
- Proxy port 1234
- Proxy user username
- Proxy password your VPS user password
Similarly, for whatever clients you use for internet activity – VOIP, IRC, this, that – you can tweak the settings to connect through your proxy.
Now you can connect to whatever server, via your proxy.
Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Take your virtual private server from zero to hero
with this easy-to-follow copy/paste guide.
“My local PC runs Windows” Show me for Linux/Mac
“My local machine is Linux/Mac” Show me for Windows
22+ parts with video, here’s the index ..
-
Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Introducing vpsBible’s how-to guide for setting up a super-charged unmanaged VPS featuring Ubuntu and Nginx.
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VPS (Virtual Private Server) vs Shared vs Dedicated
Before getting stuck in, let’s compare the web host types in detail and weigh up the differences between managed & unmanaged VPS.
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Set Up a VPS Linux Distribution
Opening a VPS hosting account, we’ll choose, configure & launch a Linux server ‘distribution’.
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Set Up Command Line Interface (CLI) using PuTTY
Now we’ve got a server to play with, we’ll connect to it, using the ’ssh’ protocol for a super-secure link.
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Create a Linux User & Set Permissions
Initially you’ve logged into your remote Linux machine as ‘root’. We’ll add you as a user now, with root or SuperUser permissions.
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Encrypt Data with OpenSSH & Auto-Login with PuTTY
Now we can use ‘authentication keys’ to shore up our connection while simplifying login to an automated, password-free yet secure process.
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Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall
The final security step: galvanizing the OpenSSH protocol and setting up an ‘iptables’ firewall. Now the server is rock ruddy solid.
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Edit bashrc for User-Friendly Linux, plus System Updates
We use the terminal a whole lot so let’s cut ourselves a break and create some command shortcuts, then update the server.
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Add a Domain Zone to Your VPS
To make your server aware of yourDomain.com you’ll need a few ‘DNS’ records. Damn this is simple I’m practically asleep!
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Prepare Linux Server for Email with Postfix
In order to send and receive email from our web applications we’ll install some software and tweak the ‘RDNS’ record.
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Install PHP5 & MySQL – The One-Stop FastCGI Index Page
Add PHP5 & MySQL, but which FastCGI method is best? Here’s the benchmarking, 4 ways to install/compile, add caching modules & more.
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Nginx (better than Apache) Web Server
Let’s install this supersonic web server, tweaking its file structure & adding default configuration files.
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Setup FileZilla for Secure FTP (SFTP)
There’s FTP, and then there’s ‘Secure FTP’. We’ll set up FileZilla using SFTP – and those authentication keys – for secure file transfers.
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Serve Multiple Sites & Blogs with Virtual Hosts
We want a website folder structure, some permissions, some site-specific configuration files and, hey, we’ll hook up ‘FastCGI’.
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Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx
Need a sub-domain? If you do, here’s how to add subDomain.yourSite.com with an ‘A record’ and a configuration file.
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Integrate A CMS Like WordPress, WP MU, Drupal etc
For those of you wanting to use a specific content framework, such as a CMS, blogging or forum software, pop in here and we’ll sort that out.
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Google Apps for Domain-Specific Email
GA’s free Standard Edition for catchall webmail – POP-ping or IMAP-ped to your desktop client – saves precious server resources for your webs.
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Moving Day! How to Move Your Blog or Site
Nearly there. Here’s the web site or blog migration guide, relocating to your VPS with minimal or no downtime.
Manage Unmanaged VPS: Ubuntu-Nginx Administration
Already set it up? We’d best maintain it then.
Toggle to the .. Ubuntu-Nginx Admin Index
Manage Unmanaged VPS: Ubuntu-Nginx Administration
Maintain your virtual private server with ..
.. cheatsheets, tutorials, tips & guides.
Head back to the .. Ubuntu-Nginx Installation Index
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Nginx Control Panel: Here’s the Deal
You’re migrating shared-to-VPS and want a GUI like cPanel? No you don’t, not after you read this! What’s more, you don’t need one either.
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Nginx Control Panel Workarounds
For every control panel module there’s an equivalent (and faster) terminal command. Let’s compare these.
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Upgrade to Nginx Latest Version with ZERO Downtime
Keep Nginx up-to-date – and optimized for security. This guide shows precisely how *with no missed server requests*.
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Compile an Advanced Nginx Module Configuration
Need special web server functions? Here’s how to install or upgrade Nginx with bespoke required modules & parameters.
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Add Web Sites Nginx Cheatsheet
Once you’ve set up your first site, adding more gets easier. Especially when you refer to this. (Let’s face it, I’m just too good to you.)
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Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx
Rather than add somesite.tld, maybe you want some.subsite.tld? Here’s how to set your A record using a DNS manager and the vhost file for Nginx.
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Add/Delete MySQL Database from Command Line
Need a database? Want to bin an old db? This tutorial shows you how using the terminal command line console whatnot.
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Configure phpMyAdmin for Nginx to Maintain MySQL
Rather than have to crunch databases via the command line, we can make life easier by adding this splendid tool to manage them.
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Backup/Export MySQL DB with CLI & mysqldump
Here’s how to backup a database from the command line using the handy mysqldump utility.
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Import MySQL Database using Command Line
Import data to a new database with this simple mysqldump guide .. great for reinstating an old backed-up db, for instance.
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Batch Replace/Delete Data in MySQL Database
Change repetitive db data with a single command. Rather than manually find & alter each instance, isolate the lot & update multiple content.
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LOST a MySQL Password? How to RESET it
Lost your MySQL password? That’s a bit of a bummer .. or it would be if you didn’t have this new password setup guide, huh.
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Backup or Upload with Secure Copy SCP (Linux to Linux)
Never mind FTP m8! Save time and download/upload your files using encrypted SCP (secure copy), the #1 Linux-Linux file transfer solution.
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Backup or Upload with PuTTY PSFTP (Windows/Linux)
Equivalent to the above, how to transfer your files if you’re unlucky enough to be running Windows for your local PC. Not that I’m biased.
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*USEFULLY* Park A Spare Domain with Nginx
Got a spare domain name sat around doing nothing? Put it to some use, have it point its traffic at your primary domain. Here’s the deal ..
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Password Protect Nginx Web Files/Directories
Maybe you want a hidden website directory, say, for projects, or are developing a site and want it off-limits ’till launch day. Top tip ..
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Redirect Web Pages with Nginx Rewrite Rule
Here’s the syntax to point a site or blog to another domain. That way, for instance, traffic from a passive site benefits an active one.
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Nginx Error & Access Logs
Need to troubleshoot some error, or want to find out who’s trying to hack your site? Here’s a start .. those tell-tale logs.
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Subversion for Easy CMS Updates ie WordPress/Drupal/etc
A brief introduction to install and know about the power of Subversion, the version control system to keep scripts and platforms up-to-date.
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You Tell Me …
Something missing? Probably. Let me know what you’d like included. And if it’s listed below, shout out anyhow and I’ll try to bump it.
Nginx Admin: In the Works ..
This lot’s marked for addition already:-
- Setup or Edit DNS using Bind
- Network Tools Troubleshooting Guide
- The Comprehensive Permissions Guide
- Configuring Nginx Rewrites
- Custom Website Error Page
- Setting up Cron Jobs
- Rsync for Incremental Remote-to-Local Backup
- Cron & Rsync for Automatic Backup
- Cron & mysqldump for Auto DB Backup
- Safeguard Bandwidth with Hotlink Protection
- Block Access with Nginx’ IP Deny
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Thank you.
Ricardo Lopez October 28th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Hola Guv, GREAT!!! post man in fact I use my VPS (Linode) to SSH Tunnel from my work to the WORLD!!! Damn FORTINET we have all blocked around here in my work, and that sucks!
Saludos desde Mexico,
Riky
the_guv October 28th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
hey Ricardo, cracking, great to hear.
I’m in the same boat, where I am .. the local telco’s blocked MY site .. cos of these posts where i help people to stick a finger up at their shoddy monopolising practises.
Pretty shortly there’ll be a similar post about advanced proxying .. setting up an elite proxy. while socks proxying is great for the casual variety, for folks with a VPS or dedicated server, this really is the dogs’ billies of a way to surf anonymously with the ultimate data protection ..
.. so watch out for that, amigo mio.
but yeah .. socks proxying is cool in that it’s just soooo simple to do .. just so exciting I have to calm down!