Noobie Configuration Questions

[Jason Edwards]

Hey guys...

I have some noobie questions if anyone has time.

When I visit showmyip.com it recognizes that I am using Tor ALTHOUGH the 
information regarding my internet browser, operating system and type of 
computer I use is still accurate. Am I doing something wrong or is that 
unavoidable?
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(I am using Firefox 2.0.0.2 with Torbutton 1.0.4 and Privoxy 3.0.6)

The article below makes it seem like I don't need privoxy. Is this 
true.... recommended?

Torifying Firefox versions prior to 1.5 requires Privoxy in order to 
stop the so-called "DNS leak" -- i.e., DNS requests could not be 
directed to go through the SOCKS proxy like other protocols. Firefox 1.5 
and later adds a proxy setting for DNS, thus eliminating the dependency 
on Privoxy. The Torbutton home page indicates that the next release will 
handle additional configurations.

http://business.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=06/04/26/218227&tid=19&tid=144&tid=130&tid=78
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If I should still use Privoxy, is there a configuration which provides 
the best anonymity? Should I adjust the predefined Actions (cautious, 
medium, advanced), try to find someone to give me the best custom 
configuration, or just leave it alone?
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Finally, when I look at the Torbutton preferences in the add ons folder 
of Firefox, the use Privoxy button is checked instead of Use custom 
proxy settings. The greyed out fields for Use custom proxy settings are 
as follows:
HTTP Proxy:    localhost    Port:8118
SSL Proxy:     localhost    Port:8118
FTP Proxy:                  Port:0
Gopher Proxy:               Port:0
SOCKS Host:     localhost   Port:8118

After I am connected and a page loads properly I go to 
Firefox-preferences-advanced-network tab-connection the Manual proxy 
configuration is selected with settings as followed:
HTTP Proxy:    localhost    Port:8118
(unchecked) Use this proxy server for all protocols
SSL Proxy:     localhost    Port:8118
FTP Proxy:                  Port:0
Gopher Proxy:               Port:0
SOCKS Host:     localhost   Port:8118
(checked) SOCKSv5
No Proxy for:    localhost, 127.0.0.1

Is the Privoxy button working properly? Are those the right settings? I 
had read that although it will not work, I should fill in the FTP Proxy 
with the same info as SSL Proxy or HTTP Proxy.  Is this correct? If so, 
do I change that in the Torbutton preferences?

Thanks for the time and for putting up with my lack of knowledge on the 
subject!

Jay