Tor Web Tunnel Not Working on Mac: Solution
In recent times, using the Tor network has become increasingly popular as a means of bypassing government censorship, particularly in countries like Russia. The Tor network provides a level of anonymity and privacy that is unmatched by most other networks, making it an ideal tool for those looking to access information that may be restricted in their region.
Background Information
The Tor network is a decentralized network of servers that allows users to connect to the internet anonymously. It works by routing traffic through a series of servers, effectively hiding the user's true IP address and location. One of the most popular ways to access the Tor network is through the Tor Browser, which is available for download on a variety of platforms, including Mac.
To use the Tor network on a Mac, users typically need to install the Tor Browser and configure it to use the obfs4 transport. This transport is designed to bypass censorship by making Tor traffic look like normal HTTPS traffic. However, in recent days, users have reported that the obfs4 transport is no longer working, making it difficult to access the Tor network on a Mac.
Command-Line Tor with Safari on Mac
One solution to this problem is to use the command-line version of Tor with the Safari browser on a Mac. This method involves configuring the Tor client to run as a SOCKS proxy and then setting Safari to use that proxy for all its internet traffic.
Step 1: Install Tor
The first step is to install the Tor client on your Mac. This can be done by downloading the Tor package from the official website and following the installation instructions.
Step 2: Configure Tor as a SOCKS Proxy
$ tor -S socks5 localhost:9050
This command starts the Tor client and configures it to run as a SOCKS5 proxy on localhost port 9050.
Step 3: Configure Safari to Use the SOCKS Proxy
Next, you need to configure the Safari browser to use the SOCKS proxy that you just set up. This can be done by following these steps:
- Open the Safari browser.
- Go to Safari > Preferences > Advanced.
- Check the "Proxies" box at the bottom of the window.
- Click the "SOCKS Proxy" button.
- Enter "localhost" for the "SOCKS Proxy Server" field and "9050" for the "SOCKS Proxy Port" field.
- Click "OK" to close the window.
Step 4: Test the Connection
Once you have configured Safari to use the SOCKS proxy, you can test the connection by visiting a website that is known to be blocked in your region. If the website loads, then you know that the Tor web tunnel is working correctly.
In conclusion, using the command-line version of Tor with the Safari browser on a Mac is a reliable way to bypass government censorship and access the Tor network. While the obfs4 transport may no longer be working, this method provides a viable alternative for those looking to access the Tor network on a Mac.