341 lines
16 KiB
HTML
341 lines
16 KiB
HTML
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<!DOCTYPE html>
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<html lang="en">
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<head>
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<meta charset="utf-8">
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<title>Anonymity - Easy Anonymous Chats Using SimpleX</title>
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<link href="../../assets/css/bootstrap.css" rel="stylesheet">
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<link href="../../assets/css/xt256.css" rel="stylesheet">
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<link href="../../assets/css/main.css" rel="stylesheet">
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</head>
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<body>
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<!-- Navbar -->
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<div class="navbar navbar-inverse-anon navbar-static-top">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="navbar-header">
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<a class="navbar-brand-anon" href="/index.html">The Nihilism Blog</a>
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</div>
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<div class="navbar-collapse collapse">
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<ul class="nav navbar-nav navbar-right">
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<li><a href="/about.html">About</a></li>
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<li><a href="/blog.html">Categories</a></li>
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<li><a href="/donate.html">Donate</a></li>
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<li><a href="/contact.html">Contact</a></li>
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</ul>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- Introduction -->
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<div id="anon1">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<a href="../index.html">Previous Page</a><br><br>
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<p>
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<img src="../../assets/img/user.png" width="50px" height="50px"
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alt="User Icon">
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<span class="author-date">Hoover - 2024-10-12</span>
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</p>
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<h1>Anonymity - Easy Anonymous Chats Using SimpleX</h1>
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<p>In this tutorial we're going to see how to setup a chat application for Anonymous use. This is especially important in a world where mass-surveillance is nearly-omnipresent. It has become the end users' responsibility to uphold their privacy and anonymity while communicating online.</p>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- Why Anonymous Chats? -->
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<div id="anon2">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<h2><b>Choosing the most appropriate chat application</b></h2>
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<p>In order to choose the most appropriate messaging app for our intended use (Anonymity), we have the following requirements:</p>
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<p><u>Privacy:</u></p>
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<ol>
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<li><p>The application must be free and open source (FOSS)</p></li>
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<li><p>The application must have End to End Encryption by default (E2EE)</p></li>
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<li><p>The application must allow us to run and use our own servers (Decentralisation)</p></li>
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</ol>
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<p><u>Anonymity:</u></p>
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<ol>
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<li><p>The application must support Tor .onion servers out of the box</p></li>
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<li><p>The application must allow you to chat without requiring any information (no emails, no usernames, no phone numbers)</p></li>
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<li><p>The application must have the ability for us to join chatrooms without revealing our identity (Incognito Mode)</p></li>
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</ol>
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<p><u>Deniability:</u></p>
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<ol>
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<li><p>The application must have disappearing messages (Deniability)</p></li>
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</ol>
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<p>You'd be suprised to see that as of right now (November 2024) there is only SimpleX that actually fits all of these criterias. therefore that's what we'll use for Anonymous chats.</p>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- What Tools Will Be Used? -->
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<div id="anon3">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<p><h2><u>Mobile OPSEC Recommendations:</u></h2></p>
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<ol>
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<li><p>Hardware : Google Pixel Phone</p></li>
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<li><p>Host OS: <a href="../graphene/index.html">GrapheneOS</a></p></li>
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<li><p>Graphene Profile: Anonymous Use </p></li>
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<li><p>Applications: Orbot and SimpleX </p></li>
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</ol>
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<p><h2><u>Desktop OPSEC Recommendations:</u></h2></p>
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<ol>
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<li><p>Hardware : (Personal Computer / Laptop)</p></li>
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<li><p>Host OS: <a href="../linux/index.html">Linux</a></p></li>
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<li><p>Hypervisor: <a href="../hypervisorsetup/index.html">libvirtd QEMU/KVM</a></p></li>
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<li><p>Virtual Machine: <a href="../hypervisorsetup/index.html">Linux</a> or <a href="../whonixqemuvms/index.html">Whonix</a> or <a href="../tailsqemuvm/index.html">Tails</a> </p></li>
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<li><p>Application: Tor (if not on Whonix or Tails), and SimpleX </p></li>
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</ol>
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<p>We will be going through how to set up your own SimpleX server through Tor, and how to configure your Android client to route your traffic through it.</p>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- How to Set Up Anonymous Chats -->
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<div id="anon2">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<h2><b>How to Set Up Anonymous Chats</b></h2>
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<h3><b>Step 1. Option A: GNU/Linux</b></h3>
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<p>First, update your package list and install Tor by running the following commands in your terminal:</p>
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<pre><code class=nim">sudo apt update
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sudo apt install tor</pre></code>
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<p>Once installed, start the Tor service:</p>
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<pre><code class=nim">sudo systemctl start tor@default</pre></code>
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<p>Next you'll need to download SimpleX AppImage which can be <a href="https://simplex.chat/downloads/">found here on SimpleX website</a>.</p>
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<p>Open a terminal in the directory of your downloaded AppImage. Make the AppImage executable, then launch it:</p>
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<pre><code class=nim">
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[ mainpc ] [ /dev/pts/26 ] [~]
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→ chmod +x simplex-desktop-x86_64.AppImage
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[ mainpc ] [ /dev/pts/26 ] [~]
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→ ./simplex-desktop-x86_64.AppImage
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</pre></code>
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<h3><b>Step 1. Option B: Android</b></h3>
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<p>Download and install the Orbot .apk from <a
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href="https://github.com/guardianproject/orbot/releases"
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target="_blank">the GitHub repository</a>.</p>
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<img src="Orbot1.png" class="imgRz"
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alt="Orbot installation screenshot">
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<p>Open Orbot, and in the bottom-right corner, tap on <strong>More</strong>, then <strong>Settings</strong> to enter the settings.</p>
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<p>In the settings menu, scroll down and enable the <strong>Power User Mode</strong>.</p>
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<p>After enabling Power User Mode, go back to the More section and press <strong>Choose apps</strong> and select SimpleX in the list. Go back to <strong>Connect</strong> in the bottom navigation menu and press <strong>Connect</strong>.</p>
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<!--<img src="Orbot2.png" class="imgRz" alt="Orbot PUM screenshot">-->
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<img src="orbot.png" class="imgRz">
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<p>Download and install <a
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href="https://f-droid.org/packages/chat.simplex.app/">SimpleX
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using F-Droid</a></p>
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<img src="Simplex1.png" class="imgRz"
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alt="SimpleX installation screenshot">
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<h3><b>Step 2.</b></h3>
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<p>Navigate through the setup process, select your username, and
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press Create. The screenshots showcase the process for Android, but the steps are identical for Linux/GNU as well.</p>
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<img src="Simplex2.png" class="imgRz" alt="SimpleX setup screen">
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<p>Once you've created your profile, open the kebab menu on the
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bottom left and open <strong>Settings > Network and servers</strong>
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and activate SOCKS Proxy. Press <strong>SOCKS proxy settings</strong> and set your
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port to 9050, then save.</p>
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<img src="Simplex4.png" class="imgRz" alt="SimpleX proxy switch">
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<img src="Simplex6.png" class="imgRz" alt="SimpleX proxy settings">
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<h3><b>You have now successfully configured SimpleX to use Tor!</b></h3>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- SimpleX Server Setup -->
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<div id="anon3">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<h2><b>Step 3. SimpleX Server Setup</b></h2>
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<p>It's important to note that in theory, it doesn't matter which SimpleX server you connect to, as all communication is end-to-end encrypted. When you connect via Tor, it further ensures that the server itself won't be able to trace your connection back to you. Your anonymity is maintained through the use of Tor, and your conversations are protected by SimpleX's encryption.</p>
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<p>HackLiberty has a great guide on how to install and configure a
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SimpleX server using Docker.</p>
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<ul>
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<li><strong>1. </strong> Navigate to the <a
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href="https://forum.hackliberty.org/t/simplex-server-docker-installation-guide-smp-xftp/140">Simplex
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Server Docker Installation Guide from HackLiberty</a> and
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follow the instructions.</li>
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<li><strong>2. </strong> Note your SMP and XFTP server addresses.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>Once you have configured and started your server, carry on with
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this guide.</p>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- Configure SimpleX -->
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<div id="anon2">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<h2><b>Step 4: Configure SimpleX To Use Your Server</b></h2>
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<p>After setting up your SimpleX server, you need to configure your
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client to route its traffic through it.</p>
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<p>Open the kebab menu at the bottom left again, and navigate to
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<strong>Settings > Network and servers</strong>, then press
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<strong>Message servers</strong>.</p>
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<img src="13.png" class="imgRz" alt="SimpleX message server settings">
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<p>If you desire, you can remove all the default SimpleX instances
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individually before proceeding; this ensures that SimpleX will
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only ever use your server.</p>
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<p>Press <strong>Add server</strong>, then <strong>Enter server
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manually</strong>. Specify your SMP server address and save.
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Make sure to check the <strong>Use for new connections</strong>
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option.</p>
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<img src="Simplex8.png" class="imgRz" alt="Adding a SimpleX server">
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<p>Repeat the same steps for your XFTP address by navigating to
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<strong>Settings > Network and servers</strong>, then press
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<strong>Media & file servers</strong>.</p>
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<p>Similarly, you can remove all default instances here if you
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desire. Then add your XFTP server address by pressing <strong>Add
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server > Enter server manually</strong>. Specify your XFTP
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address and save. Don't forget to tick the <strong>Use for new
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connections</strong> option.</p>
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<img src="12.png" class="imgRz" alt="SimpleX message server settings">
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<img src="11.png" class="imgRz" alt="Adding a SimpleX server">
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<h3><b>Congratulations!</b></h3>
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<p>You have now successfully configured your SimpleX server and
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client.</p>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- How to Create Chatrooms in Incognito -->
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<div id="anon3">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<h2><b>How to Create Chatrooms in Incognito mode</b></h2>
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<p>After configuring your SimpleX client through Orbot and your own
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server, you are ready to create and join chatrooms. Here is how to
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create a chatroom in Incognito mode:</p>
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<h3><b>Step 1: Create the Chatroom</b></h3>
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<p>Press the pen icon in the bottom right of the screen. This will
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bring up a menu. Select <strong>Create group</strong>.</p>
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<img src="Simplex9.png" class="imgRz"
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alt="Creating a group in SimpleX">
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<p>Enter a name for your group. You can also add a photo for the
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group.</p>
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<p>Tick the <strong>Incognito</strong> option. Doing this ensures
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your profile name and image is hidden from your group members and
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allows for anonymous connections with other people without shared
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data. Once you have filled out the necessary information, press
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<strong>Create group</strong>.</p>
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<img src="Simplex10.png" class="imgRz"
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alt="SimpleX incognito mode settings">
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<h3><b>Step 2: Invite Members</b></h3>
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<p>After creating your chatroom, you will be met with an invite
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link. You will use this link to invite other people to your
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chatroom.</p>
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<img src="Simplex11.png" class="imgRz" alt="SimpleX invite link">
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- How to Join Chatrooms in Incognito -->
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<div id="anon2">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<h2><b>How to Join Chatrooms in Incognito mode</b></h2>
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<p>If you have received an invite to a SimpleX chatroom, you can
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join it by pressing the input field at the bottom of the screen
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labeled <strong>Search or paste SimpleX link</strong>.</p>
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<p>Paste your invite link into the input field and press <strong>Enter</strong>.</p>
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<img src="Simplex12.png" class="imgRz"
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alt="Joining a SimpleX chatroom">
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<p>You will be met with a window asking whether you'd like to
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connect using your current profile or using an Incognito profile.</p>
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<p>Select <strong>Use new incognito profile</strong>. </p>
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<img src="Simplex13.png" class="imgRz"
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alt="Selecting an incognito profile in SimpleX">
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<p>This is because we don't want to reveal what our simplex username is, we just want to join the chatroom using a random username that is not tied to our identity.</p>
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<img src="Simplex14.png" class="imgRz"
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alt="Simplex group">
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<p>And there as you can see, everyone that joins in in incognito gets a random pseudonym with the format "Random Adjective Random Word" effectively helping the users maintain their anonymity while in the chat.</p>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- Conclusion -->
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<div id="anon3">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-8 col-lg-offset-2">
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<h2><b>Conclusion</b></h2>
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<p>By following this tutorial, you've set up a secure, anonymous
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chat system using SimpleX and Tor. You've learned how to install
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Orbot, configure SimpleX servers with `.onion` addresses, create
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incognito chatrooms, and join them anonymously. This setup ensures
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that your private conversations remain secure and untraceable.</p>
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<h3><b>What You've Accomplished</b></h3>
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<p>- Installed Orbot and routed traffic through the Tor network.<br>
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- Configured SimpleX servers to use `.onion` addresses.<br>
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- Created and joined anonymous chatrooms in incognito mode.</p>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<!-- Footer -->
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<div id="anonb">
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<div class="container">
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<div class="row">
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<div class="col-lg-4">
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<h4>Nihilism</h4>
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<p>
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Until there is Nothing left.<br>
|
||
|
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Creative Commons Zero: No Rights Reserved<br>
|
||
|
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<img src="\CC0.png" alt="Creative Commons Zero">
|
||
|
|
</p>
|
||
|
|
</div>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
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<div class="col-lg-4">
|
||
|
|
<h4>My Links</h4>
|
||
|
|
<p>
|
||
|
|
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"
|
||
|
|
href="http://blog.nowhere.moe/rss/feed.xml">RSS Feed</a><br>
|
||
|
|
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"
|
||
|
|
href="https://simplex.chat/contact#/?v=2-7&smp=smp%3A%2F%2FL5jrGV2L_Bb20Oj0aE4Gn-m5AHet9XdpYDotiqpcpGc%3D%40nowhere.moe%2FH4g7zPbitSLV5tDQ51Yz-R6RgOkMEeCc%23%2F%3Fv%3D1-3%26dh%3DMCowBQYDK2VuAyEAkts5T5AMxHGrZCCg12aeKxWcpXaxbB_XqjrXmcFYlDQ%253D&data=%7B%22type%22%3A%22group%22%2C%22groupLinkId%22%3A%22c3Y-iDaoDCFm6RhptSDOaw%3D%3D%22%7D">SimpleX
|
||
|
|
Chat</a>
|
||
|
|
</p>
|
||
|
|
</div>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<div class="col-lg-4">
|
||
|
|
<h4>About Hoover</h4>
|
||
|
|
<p style="word-wrap: break-word;">
|
||
|
|
<u>Donate XMR:</u>
|
||
|
|
42yco9t6qK98N191EZzKJUCH7cit5JT8mBJQvVULEPAPeBHurbFqGj2hK7kaFhqasv8AYLpbuP15Wg5suzyjUd5SMLqabRw<br>
|
||
|
|
<u>Contact:</u> fuzzy.hat4381@fastmail.com
|
||
|
|
</p>
|
||
|
|
</div>
|
||
|
|
</div>
|
||
|
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</div>
|
||
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</div>
|
||
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||
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</body>
|
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</html>
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