The Tor Anti-censorship Team is thrilled to announce a new pluggable transport for Tor bridges, aptly named WebTunnel. This advanced pluggable transport is based on HTTP Upgrade or HTTPT, and it aims to imitate web browsing activities to bypass censorship efforts.
Why WebTunnel?
WebTunnel is designed to counter internet censorship by disguising Tor traffic as ordinary web traffic. It uses a technique known as “pluggable transports” that transforms the Tor traffic between the client and the bridge, making it harder for censors to block. WebTunnel’s implementation based on HTTPT further strengthens its disguise as it closely imitates regular web browsing activities.
WebTunnel’s design is user-friendly and intuitive, with a focus on mimicking typical web browsing activities. This effectively disguises Tor traffic, making it even more difficult for censors to detect and block. The setup process for both client and server is straightforward, making WebTunnel an accessible tool for a broad range of users. For the client usage, it’s as simple as connecting to a WebTunnel server with a Tor configuration file. For the server setup, the process involves installing Tor, getting the environment ready, configuring the service unit file, obtaining a certificate, and installing & configuring Nginx.
Moreover, the WebTunnel project also offers Docker setup instructions for bridge operators, highlighting its adaptability to various deployment environments. This allows for a more flexible and convenient setup process, accommodating users who prefer containerization. It even provides a simple method to obtain a bridgeline and check if it is running correctly, ensuring that users can easily verify their setup. With its robust design and easy setup process, WebTunnel has proven to be a valuable addition to the Tor Project’s anti-censorship arsenal.
The Tor Project continues to be at the forefront of this fight, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with technology to uphold the principles of internet freedom and privacy. With the introduction of WebTunnel, the organization is once again reinforcing its position as a leader in anti-censorship technology.
Source: Tor Project
