Recently I have needed to socksify a mac.
Socksifying means that applications (like email pop3 / smtp programs) that normally do not use proxies or socks can tunnel their connections through the socks proxy. Socksifying connections is used mostly when using SSH secure tunneling for privacy and anonymous reasons (fully encrypted and secure all your internet / network connections including; web surfing, pop3 / smtp email, chat, etc use). The SSH tunnel service provider must be running socks4 or socks5 proxy software.
Now with a windows PC this is fairly straight forward (I thought) as there is free software available (called SocksCap). To socksify a PC connection means a simple download, install and configuration of the free software.
Being a ex-PC user (aren’t we all!) I thought the same would be required for my mac, how was I wrong, I wasted days downloading and installing many useless programs like fink, socat and what they required, Xcode (a 600 + mb download!).
After 2 days of total frustration I simply configured my network and browser proxy settings to the “socks” proxy only (left everything else blank) – and guess what it worked like a charm. No software to install, no configuration at all – macs are so easy sometimes the ease is simply overlooked.
To socksify your mac simply leave all other proxy settings empty and only fill in the socks proxy boxes.
In details it means;
1. Open up your system preferences, choose network, choose the live connection (most likely already selected), click configure, click proxy settings, and in the two socks boxes put in the socks server you are using and port. Click apply and you are finished.
A mac must be the easiest machine to sockify!
Why would anyone want to do this? Well … for privacy and anonymity on the internet of course …
2 responses so far ↓
michael // June 28, 2007 at 9:38 pm
hello.i was reading the socksify option,but is this ok?i went on some websites and they really showed my real ip address…how come?if an socks5 is anonymous why it can see my real ip also?i am also asking this because i have in my mail almost 100 mails,daily in bulk folder!!!i need to get rid of this spam mail for all!
Bastard // July 15, 2007 at 1:10 am
Hi Michael,
Regarding websites still showing your real ip address, this much depends on the programs you are using, for example if you are using firefox then you still need to set your proxy options in network connections (better yet, install the froxyproxy addon). Note here also you really should not be using a socks proxy for general surfing.
In regards to spam, using a anonymous proxy will not stop spam coming in. For the best way to beat spam check out this post: http://bastardbanter.wordpress.com/2007/05/13/protect-your-email-address-from-spammers/