[tor-bugs] #11652 [Tor bundles/installation]: Review text of Tor Browser User Manual (was: Review text of Short User Manual)

Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki blackhole at torproject.org
Tue Apr 29 21:25:47 UTC 2014


#11652: Review text of Tor Browser User Manual
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------
     Reporter:  mttp                 |      Owner:
         Type:  task                 |     Status:  new
     Priority:  normal               |  Milestone:
    Component:  Tor                  |    Version:
  bundles/installation               |   Keywords:  tbum, manual,
   Resolution:                       |  documentation
Actual Points:                       |  Parent ID:
       Points:                       |
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------
Description changed by mttp:

Old description:

> I've written up some new information that I propose be used in the Tor
> Browser User Manual. I think this ticket is a good place for review,
> critique, syntax changes, organizational suggestions, etc.
>
> index:
>
> = Tor Browser Help =
> [xref:how-tor-works TorHow Tor works.][xref:troubleshooting
> TroubleshootingWhat to do if Tor Browser doesn't
> work.][xref:circumvention CircumventionWhat to do if the Tor network is
> blocked.][xref:bridges BridgesWhat bridges are and how to use
> them.][xref:uninstalling UninstallingHow to remove Tor Browser from your
> system.]= Troubleshooting =
> The Tor Browser should get you online automatically after clicking the
> "Connect" button on the start up screen.
>
> <screenshot of connect button>
>
> If it doesn't connect, there may be a simple fix. Try each of the
> following:
>
>  * Make sure another Tor Browser is not already running. If you're not
> sure if Tor Browser is running, restart your computer.
>
>  * 'Allow' Tor in your antivirus program.
>
>  * Temporarily disable your firewall.
>
>  * Delete Tor Browser and install it again. If updating, do not overwrite
> your previous Tor Browser files.
>
> If you still can't connect, your internet service provider might be
> censoring connections to Tor. Follow the instructions in the
> [xref:circumvention Circumvention] section.
>
> If the above steps do not address your problem, email
> help at rt.torproject.org with your operating system, the details of your
> problem, and what you've already tried.
>
> circumvention:
>
> = Circumvention =
> Some firewalls can detect and block connections to Tor. The Tor Browser
> includes some circumvention tools for getting around blocking firewalls.
> These circumvention tools are called Pluggable Transports. To turn them
> on, click "Configure" in the Tor launcher window.
>
> <screenshot of configure button>
>
> Select yes when asked if your internet service provider blocks
> connections to Tor."
>
> <screenshot of tor-launcher wizard>
>
> Select "Connect with provided bridges". Tor Browser has three Pluggable
> Transports to choose from. If one fails to get you online, try selecting
> a different transport.
>
> <screenshot of transport drop-down menu>
>
> If you try all three transports, and none of them get you online, select
> "Enter custom bridges", and enter bridges manually. Read the
> [xref:bridges Getting Bridges] section for instructions on getting custom
> bridges.
>
> bridges:
>
> = Bridges =
> Bridges are quiet gateways into the Tor Network. Like Tor relays, they
> are run by volunteers. Unlike relays, they are not listed publicly. Using
> bridges disguise the fact that one is using Tor.
>
> Currently there are five bridge types, or transports, available. More are
> being developed.
>
> || ORPort || Requesting 'bridges' without specifying the bridge type,
> will return ORPort bridges, also called Vanilla bridges. ORPort bridges
> are NOT reliable for circumventing censorship or national firewalls.
> ORPort bridges can be useful as trusted entry points into the Tor
> network. ||
> || obfs2 || Censors have learned how to identify obfs2 bridges. This
> transport is being deprecated. ||
> || obfs3 || Obfsproxy disguises Tor traffic as random noise. obfs3
> bridges work almost everywhere. A few obfs3 bridges have been blocked. ||
> || Scramblesuit || Scramblesuit is an additional tool for the obfsproxy
> transport. Scramblesuit bridges are designed to be hard to identify and
> hard to block. ||
> || FTE || Format-Transforming Encryption disguises Tor traffic as web
> (HTTP) traffic or other types of internet traffic. FTE bridges are
> effective, but in limited supply. ||
>
> (Note that flashproxy is a Pluggable Transport, but does not rely on
> bridges.)
>
> There are four ways to get a bridge.
>
>  1. Visit https://bridges.torproject.org/ and follow the instructions.
>
>  1. Email bridges at bridges.torproject.org from a gmail or yahoo email
> address. Put get bridges in the body for ORPort bridges or
> transport=obfs3for obfs3 bridges.
>
>  1. Politely ask a human at help at rt.torproject.org if you cannot access
> either of the first two methods.
>
>  1. Install and configure a Tor instance to be bridge for yourself. The
> computer acting as a bridge must have uncensored internet access to the
> Tor network. A full installation guide can be found
> at[https://www.torproject.org/projects/obfsproxy-debian-
> instructions.html.en https://www.torproject.org/projects/obfsproxy-
> debian-instructions.html.en]
>
> Enter the bridge information you get from any of the above steps in Tor-
> launcher.
>
> Choose yes when asked if your Internet Service Provider blocks
> connections to the Tor network. Select 'Use custom bridges' and enter
> each bridge identifier on its own line.
>
> <screenshot of custom bridge entry>
>
> Click Connect. Using bridges slow down the connection. If the connection
> fails, the bridges you received may be down. Get more and try again.
>
> uninstalling:
>
> = Uninstalling =
> The Tor Browser does not affect any of the existing software or settings
> on your computer. Uninstalling Tor Browser will not affect your system's
> software or settings either.
>
> Removing the Tor Browser from your system is simple:
>
>  1. Locate your Tor Browser folder. The default location is your Desktop.
>
>  1. Delete the Tor Browser folder.
>
>  1. Empty your Trash
>
> Note that your operating system's standard "Uninstall" utility is not
> used.

New description:

 I've written up some new information that I propose be used in the Tor
 Browser User Manual. I think this ticket is a good place for review,
 critique, syntax changes, organizational suggestions, etc.

 Please download the manual in its current state from
 https://gitweb.torproject.org/tor-browser/user-
 manual.git/snapshot/af32157c63dbba087bee1e40a239e05de52485bc.tar.gz.

 Pages should be opened with the application "yelp".

--

--
Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/11652#comment:3>
Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki <https://trac.torproject.org/>
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