- [Service doesn't start without (even empty) user torrc](https://groups.google.com/d/msg/qubes-users/fyBVmxIpbSs/R5mxUcIEZAQJ)
Qubes TorVM (qubes-tor)
==========================
Qubes TorVM is a ProxyVM service that provides torified networking to all its
clients.
By default, any AppVM using the TorVM as its NetVM will be fully torified, so
even applications that are not Tor aware will be unable to access the outside
network directly.
Moreover, AppVMs running behind a TorVM are not able to access globally
identifying information (IP address and MAC address).
Due to the nature of the Tor network, only IPv4 TCP and DNS traffic is allowed.
All non-DNS UDP and IPv6 traffic is silently dropped.
See [this article](http://theinvisiblethings.blogspot.com/2011/09/playing-with-qubes-networking-for-fun.html) for a description of the concept, architecture, and the original implementation.
## Warning + Disclaimer
1. Qubes TorVM is produced independently from the Tor(R) anonymity software and
carries no guarantee from The Tor Project about quality, suitability or
anything else.
2. Qubes TorVM is not a magic anonymizing solution. Protecting your identity
requires a change in behavior. Read the "Protecting Anonymity" section
below.
3. Traffic originating from the TorVM itself **IS NOT** routed through Tor.
This includes system updates to the TorVM. Only traffic from VMs using TorVM
as their NetVM is torified.
Installation
============
0.*(Optional)* If you want to use a separate vm template for your TorVM
qvm-clone fedora-20-x64 fedora-20-x64-net
1. In dom0, create a proxy vm and disable unnecessary services and enable qubes-tor
qvm-create -p torvm
qvm-service torvm -d qubes-netwatcher
qvm-service torvm -d qubes-firewall
qvm-service torvm -e qubes-tor
# if you created a new template in the previous step
qvm-prefs torvm -s template fedora-20-x64-net
2. From your template vm, install the torproject Fedora repo
sudo yum install qubes-tor-repo
3. Then, in the template, install the TorVM init scripts
sudo yum install qubes-tor
5. Configure an AppVM to use TorVM as its netvm (example a vm named anon-web)
qvm-prefs -s anon-web netvm torvm
... repeat for other appvms ...
6. Shutdown templateVM.
7. Set prefs of torvm to use your default netvm or firewallvm as its NetVM
8. Start the TorVM and any AppVM you have configured
9. Execute in TorVM (will be not necessary in R2 Beta3):
sudo mkdir /rw/usrlocal/etc/qubes-tor
sudo touch /rw/usrlocal/etc/qubes-tor/torrc
sudo service qubes-tor restart
10. From the AppVM, verify torified connectivity
curl https://check.torproject.org
### Troubleshooting ###
1. Check if the qubes-tor service is running (on the torvm)
[user@torvm] $ sudo service qubes-tor status
2. Tor logs to syslog, so to view messages use
[user@torvm] $ sudo grep Tor /var/log/messages
3. Restart the qubes-tor service (and repeat 1-2)
[user@torvm] $ sudo service qubes-tor restart
Usage
=====
Applications should "just work" behind a TorVM, however there are some steps
you can take to protect anonymity and increase performance.
## Protecting Anonymity
The TorVM only purports to prevent the leaking of two identifiers:
1. WAN IP Address
2. NIC MAC Address
This is accomplished through transparent TCP and transparent DNS proxying by
the TorVM.
The TorVM cannot anonymize information stored or transmitted from your AppVMs
behind the TorVM.
*Non-comprehensive* list of identifiers TorVM does not protect:
* Time zone
* User names and real name
* Name+version of any client (e.g. IRC leaks name+version through CTCP)
* Metadata in files (e.g., exif data in images, author name in PDFs)
* License keys of non-free software
### Further Reading
* [Information on protocol leaks](https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/wiki/doc/TorifyHOWTO#Protocolleaks)
* [Official Tor Usage Warning](https://www.torproject.org/download/download-easy.html.en#warning)
* Replace `my-new-anonvm` with the name of your AnonVM.
* Replace `1.2.3.4` with your TorVM's internal Qubes IP address, which can be viewed in Qubes VM Manager by clicking "View" --> "IP" or by running `qvm-ls -n` in dom0.
* Replace `en-US` with your locale ID, if different.
8. Click "Save" in the KDE Menu Editor.
Tor Browser should now work correctly in your AnonVM when launched via the shortcut you just created.
**Note:** If you want to use Tor Browser in a [DispVM][dispvm], the steps are the same as above, except you should copy the Tor Browser directory into your DVM template, [regenerate the DVM template][dispvm-customization], then use the following command in your KDE menu entry:
