Secure surfing using Ubuntu Server, Putty, Firefox and an SSH Proxy Tunnel by
www.knightwise.com
This Docu-cast we will show you how to use the SSH SERVER of your Ubuntu server as a proxy for your (remote) internet traffic.
This means that you will be able to surf from any computer, through an encrypted tunnel, using your Linux server as a proxy.
It will allow you to "secure surf' from any hotspot or even bypass the firewall at your workplace, because the webtraffic between your PC and your server at home is encrypted.
Need to have and need to know.
- Have an Ubuntu server running with SSH server enabled
- Open up a port of your router pointing toward the SSH server on your network : (and the ability to connect OUT over that port from the local network you are on at the moment)
- Setup and enable a dyndns service on your server : http://revision3.com/systm/dyndns/
- If needed setup a Dyndns client on your Ubuntu machine using DDclient :
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/update-ip-addresses-at-dynamic-dns-services-using-ddclient.html
- Know the port and the DYNDNS address of your linux server.
If the setup of the tunnel is successfull , you will see a DIFFERENT external IP address later on. (Then you will see the external IP of the network where your Ubuntu server is on).
Download and install Putty.
Go to : http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html
Download : putty.exe.
Launch the putty.exe
Configure putty to setup an SSH tunnel.
Enter a portnumber for your SSH tunnel.
Enter your "source port" number, (in this example i entered 5555) Set the radio buttons to AUTO and DYNAMIC
Click ADD.
Save the putty configuration.
To save the configuration, click on SESSIONS Enter a name for the session and click SAVE.
Configure Firefox to use your SSH tunnel as a proxy.
Open Firefox
Configure Firefox to use your SSH tunnel as a proxy.
Click on the advanced icon. Choose the NETWORK tab. Click on the SETTINGS button.
Edit the Proxy settings of your Firefox.
Edit the proxy settings to match the portnumber you selected for your SSH proxy and click OK. Set the radio button to MANUAL PROXY CONFIGURATION.
Open the SSH tunnel using Putty.
Open Putty,
Select the SSH session you saved earlier.
Click on the SSH/TUNNELS and make sure the DYNAMIC option is still selected. Next click OPEN and enter your (linux) username and password.
Test your external IP (WITH the SSH-Proxy)
Open Firefox and go back to http://www.whatismyip.com
The (external) IP that you see should be different from the external ip you saw in the first step.
The external IP you see right now is the external IP of your Linux server (at home) not the external ip of the network you are currently on.
This means all of your HTTP traffic goes out THROUGH the secure SSH tunnel you created and goes out via the WAN ip of the network where you have your Ubuntu server running.
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