New York Times shut down Tor Onion service

Prerequisites:

- Linux: You may need `sudo` privileges to install Tor and modify system files.

- macOS: Homebrew must be installed (`brew`) to manage Tor.

- A web server must already be running on the specified local port (e.g., 8080).

- Firewall: This function does not configure the firewall. Ensure that:

  - Tor’s default port (9050) is allowed.
  - Your web server’s port (e.g., 8080) is accessible locally.


  #!/usr/bin/env bash

  # Function to add a Tor hidden service for a local web server
  add_tor_hidden_service() {
    local local_port="${1:-8080}"  # Default to 8080 if no port is provided
    local torrc=""
    local tordir=""
    local sudo_cmd=""
    local os_type=""

    # Detect OS and set paths
    if [[ "$OSTYPE" == "linux-gnu"* ]]; then
      os_type="linux"
      torrc="/etc/tor/torrc"
      tordir="/var/lib/tor"
      sudo_cmd="sudo -n"
    elif [[ "$OSTYPE" == "darwin"* ]]; then
      os_type="macos"
      torrc="$(brew --prefix)/etc/tor/torrc"
      tordir="$(brew --prefix)/var/lib/tor"
    else
      echo "Error: Unsupported OS (Linux or macOS required)" >&2
      return 1
    fi

    # Install Tor if not already installed
    if ! command -v tor &>/dev/null; then
      echo "Installing Tor..." >&2
      if [[ "$os_type" == "linux" ]]; then
        if [ -f /etc/debian_version ]; then
          $sudo_cmd apt update && $sudo_cmd apt install -y tor
        elif [ -f /etc/redhat-release ]; then
          $sudo_cmd yum install -y tor || $sudo_cmd dnf install -y tor
        else
          echo "Error: Only Debian or RedHat-based Linux supported" >&2
          return 1
        fi
      elif [[ "$os_type" == "macos" ]]; then
        brew install tor
      fi
    fi

    # Ensure Tor is running
    if [[ "$os_type" == "linux" ]]; then
      $sudo_cmd systemctl start tor
    elif [[ "$os_type" == "macos" ]]; then
      brew services start tor
    fi

    # Configure hidden service
    local hidden_service_dir="$tordir/hidden_service_$local_port"
    local dir_line="HiddenServiceDir $hidden_service_dir"
    local port_line="HiddenServicePort 80 127.0.0.1:$local_port"

    if ! grep -qF -- "$dir_line" "$torrc"; then
      echo "Configuring Tor hidden service..." >&2
      echo "$dir_line" | $sudo_cmd tee -a "$torrc" >/dev/null
      echo "$port_line" | $sudo_cmd tee -a "$torrc" >/dev/null
    fi

    # Restart Tor to apply changes
    echo "Restarting Tor..." >&2
    if [[ "$os_type" == "linux" ]]; then
      $sudo_cmd systemctl restart tor
    elif [[ "$os_type" == "macos" ]]; then
      brew services restart tor
    fi

    # Wait for onion address to be generated
    local onion_address=""
    for attempt in {1..30}; do
      if [[ -f "$hidden_service_dir/hostname" ]]; then
        onion_address=$($sudo_cmd cat "$hidden_service_dir/hostname")
        break
      fi
      sleep 1
    done

    if [[ -z "$onion_address" ]]; then
      echo "Error: Failed to generate onion address" >&2
      return 1
    fi

    echo "Success! Your web server is now available on the Tor network." >&2
    echo "Onion address: $onion_address" >&2
    echo "$onion_address"
  }

  # Example usage
  # serve -p 8080
  # add_tor_hidden_service 8080
  add_tor_hidden_service "$@"

Mining for a nice vanity hostname might be more difficult tho! How would that be done?

'Pressure' doesn't mean fear necessarily. It could just result in different calculations of concern or risk.

More importantly, the word 'pressure' upthread was written by a random Wikipedia editor. It's not quoting NYT editor Bill Keller. I think reading much into it - or even relying on it at all - is risky.

From what I know, do I think the Bush administration attempted to pressure the NYT? I wouldn't be surprised. But the evidence says the Bush team made arguments about risk to national security. Those certainly could have influenced the NYT, and I think the NYT said that.

https://community.torproject.org/onion-services/advanced/van...