I2P is an anonymity network, offering a simple layer that identity-sensitive applications can use to securely communicate. All data is wrapped with several layers of encryption, and the network is both distributed and dynamic, with no trusted parties. All traffic is encrypted end to end.
Many applications are available that interface with I2P, including mail, peer-peer, IRC and others. I2P is available for all platforms. In simple words, I2P is a protocol used for an encrypted multi-proxy on the Internet.
Install I2P
Download the latest version of I2P here. If you are using Ubuntu like me, then add the following PPA to your system. For Debian users follow the instructions described in this link.:
sk@sk:~$ sudo apt-add-repository ppa:i2p-maintainers/i2p
Update the software sources list:
sk@sk:~$ sudo apt-get update
Now install I2P:
sk@sk:~$ sudo apt-get install i2p
By default I2P runs on port 20,000, so allow the port through your firewall/router:
sk@sk:~$ sudo ufw allow 20000
Now start the I2P service using the following command:
sk@sk:~$ /usr/bin/i2prouter start Starting I2P Service... Waiting for I2P Service..... running: PID:21218
Once you started the I2P service, your default system web browser will automatically open and should look like below. If not, point your browser to the following URL: http://localhost:7657
Wait for a few minutes to start and connect to the I2P network. Once the connection is established, you will see a message “Network OK” on the left pane.
Click on the Shared Clients tab to go to I2p Tunnel section. On the left pane you should see a section called Peers. Usually, you can browse after you have 10 peers. But the recommended peer count is 40 to 50. Wait enough time to get more peers.
Setting Up Privoxy
In order to access I2P websites, you have to tell Firefox to use localhost:4444 as its proxy server. But if you use this proxy, you can’t browse normal websites. So install the Privoxy to browse normal websites as well as I2P websites. For detailed information of Privoxy installation on Linux, refer our previous article here.
Open up /etc/privoxy/config file using any editor:
sk@sk:~$ sudo vi /etc/privoxy/config
Add the following lines at the end:
#this forwards all requests to .i2p domains to the local i2p forward .i2p localhost:4444
Restart Privoxy now:
sk@sk:~$ sudo /etc/init.d/privoxy restart
Now set proxy details in your browser. If you are using Firefox, Go to Edit -> Preferences -> Network -> Settings. Click on Manual proxy configuration and enter HTTP proxy as 127.0.0.1 and port 8118.
Now start surfing over net. Nobody can find out where you have been. You may want to read FAQ section of I2P.
