Silk Road forums

Discussion => Newbie discussion => Topic started by: safras on February 12, 2013, 10:31 pm

Title: Being a relay (TOR)
Post by: safras on February 12, 2013, 10:31 pm
I'd like to give something back. Obviously TOR is very slow and besides the illegal traffic it can help people in censored countries.

Does anyone have any advice on being a relay? Is it as simple as clicking 'Setup Relaying' in Vidalia and choosing one of the options?

Should I avoid being an exit relay? (why/why not)

Are there any risks to me?

Do I need to open ports in my firewall? Should I not do it while browsing SR?

If anyone here does it I'd appreciate any advice you can give.
Title: Re: Being a relay (TOR)
Post by: SelfSovereignty on February 12, 2013, 10:36 pm
You do NOT want to be an exit relay.  Google / startpage / whatever "tor exit node child porn" and read in horror at what happens to exit nodes in many countries.

Being an in-network-only relay node is safe.  Just make sure you've got a firewall and no malware on your system, because you're likely to get a bunch of retarded script kiddies scanning you a dozen times a day (shouldn't do any harm -- never did to me, anyway).

Just enable the option in Vidalia, and see if it works automatically.  Most routers have support for UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) these days, which lets programs dynamically tell your router they need an incoming port open for connections.
Title: Re: Being a relay (TOR)
Post by: safras on February 12, 2013, 10:40 pm
You do NOT want to be an exit relay.  Google / startpage / whatever "tor exit node child porn" and read in horror at what happens to exit nodes in many countries.

Being an in-network-only relay node is safe.  Just make sure you've got a firewall and no malware on your system, because you're likely to get a bunch of retarded script kiddies scanning you a dozen times a day (shouldn't do any harm -- never did to me, anyway).
Thanks for the reply. But now I am scared and having second thoughts.
Title: Re: Being a relay (TOR)
Post by: SelfSovereignty on February 12, 2013, 10:49 pm
Just don't run an exit node and you'll be fine.  If you're not comfortable doing it though, then don't.  No big deal :)
Title: Re: Being a relay (TOR)
Post by: bananer on February 12, 2013, 10:51 pm
Don't worry too much, just use a good firewall and keep your own personal linking info regarding SR off of the computer and as for that cp bust I believe he was also producing the stuff...so don't do that, have a good firewall on a clean computer if possible and hopefully you should be just fine  :D