Thunderbird proxy settings and Stunnel

[OnInternet2]

Hi,

I'm using an commercial proxy service for surfing on net with Stunnel through 127.0.0.1:8080. Now the question is how to configure my Thunderbird 1.5.0.10 to send and receive mail through proxy.

If I try with default outgoing SMTP server I'm getting error. Maybe I shall use some specific port?

I saw somewhere that it is possible to do. What port shall I use? 25, 26 1443 ??

I will appreciate any help.

[Henrik]

Does your proxy provider block port 25 to start with? Check with them first, that'd be my first objective if I was you.

If you want an easier way to tunnel out from the network you're located in, for example when using public wifi-hotspots etc, I recommend using "Relakks (https://www.relakks.com)". It is easy to setup and has no restrictions on either usage nor bandwidth.

Good luck in any case! :)

[OnInternet2]

Thank you for your answer. I will ask them and get back to you.

If they are not allowing traffic on port 25 – what can be done? I'm using 'dold.se'.

Regz

[Henrik]

Well, dold.se only tunnels port 80 and 443, if I remember correctly. For the same cost, and actually a bit lower, you get a full VPN-service from Relakks. Unless you have paid in advance I strongly suggest you switch to Relakks, which is a better service over-all.

[OnInternet2]

I can switch to Relakks, no problem. Just 2 questions then:

- Can I use (configure) Thunderbird with Relakks?

- Do Relakks use same level of anonymity as Dold?

- Can I use Skype and other Voip service with Relakks?

Regards.

[Henrik]

You can read their Security Q&A here (https://www.relakks.com/faq/qna/#2).

Relakks uses a VPN-connection, which means that all traffic from your computer to the public Internet goes through the Relakks VPN-connection.

Apart from the obvious security-benefits while surfing on wifi-hotspots etc, a VPN will let you avoid some of the network related issues coming with using a NAT, for example a home router or a strict setup business network.

[OnInternet2]

I understand. Because my mainly intention is to secure e-mail. So if I send e-mail from Thunderbird, its trace will show Relakks IP address? Not my local, right?

[Henrik]

Exactly. However, note that you aren't truly anonymous with any commercial service out there, as your traffic data is always saved.The data saved isn't exactly which sites you have surfed to etc, but connection data at the proxy itself. (what IP-address / what time)

[OnInternet2]

OK, I will give it a try. However, regardles anonymity. Dold has specific policy that I like. Not even they self can see where the customers are surfing.

I will try Relakks service now.

[GeorgeA]

Do you think this would be of any use to you?(see link)
http://tor.eff.org/

[OnInternet2]

Interesting solution may I say.
For me, as I don't have so much time to elaborate stuff, I prefer payable solution that have active support.

On other side Tor is free how much I understood. I will try relakks first and then decide.

[Henrik]

OK, I will give it a try. However, regardles anonymity. Dold has specific policy that I like. Not even they self can see where the customers are surfing.


Their policy is not above the swedish IT-laws. They may not view the sites you surf to, Relakks has the same policy - but your traffic data, in form of proxy connection data, is still stored - if I understood the agreement as well as the telecommunications law correctly.


I will try Relakks service now.
Good luck! :)

[Henrik]

Do you think this would be of any use to you?(see link)
http://tor.eff.org/

Tor is not an alternative if you want any kind of usability, aka "surfspeed". It is indeed more anonymous than any of the previous mentioned (commercial) alternatives, but it's too slow to use in a satisfying way.

[OnInternet2]

When I trace the email message that I have sent through Relakks VPN, it shows following:

% This is the RIPE Whois query server #1.
% The objects are in RPSL format.
%
% Rights restricted by copyright.
% See ripe net

% Information related to '83.233.0.0 - 83.233.255.255'

inetnum: 83.233.0.0 - 83.233.255.255
org: ORG-LA21-RIPE
netname: SE-LABS2-20040206
descr: PROVIDER Local Registry
descr: Labs2
country: SE
admin-c: LR683-RIPE
tech-c: LR683-RIPE
notify: ***@labs2.se
status: ALLOCATED PA
mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-HM-MNT
mnt-lower: LABS2-MNT
mnt-routes: LABS2-MNT
changed: **********@ripe.net 20040206
source: RIPE

organisation: ORG-LA21-RIPE
org-name: Labs2
org-type: LIR
address: Labs2
Winstrupsgatan 1
Lund
S-222 22
Sweden
phone: +46 46 5400100
fax-no: +46 46 5400150
e-mail: ********@labs2.se
admin-c: MA831-RIPE
admin-c: TB345-RIPE
mnt-ref: LABS2-MNT
mnt-ref: RIPE-NCC-HM-MNT
mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-HM-MNT
changed: **********@ripe.net 20040415
changed: *********@ripe.net 20041103
changed: *********@ripe.net 20050220
changed: *********@ripe.net 20051017
changed: *********@ripe.net 20051026
changed: *********@ripe.net 20051125
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060116
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060425
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060504
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060529
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060529
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060609
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060612
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060622
changed: *********@ripe.net 20060622
source: RIPE

role: Labs2 Routingregistry
address: Winstrupsgatan 1
S-222 22 Lund
Sweden
phone: +46 46 5400100
fax-no: +46 46 5400150
e-mail: ********@labs2.se
abuse-mailbox: *****@labs2.se
admin-c: MA831-RIPE
tech-c: MA831-RIPE
admin-c: TB345-RIPE
tech-c: TB345-RIPE
nic-hdl: LR683-RIPE
mnt-by: LABS2-MNT
changed: ********@labs2.com 20050220
changed: ********@labs2.se 20050513
changed: ********@labs2.com 20060117
source: RIPE

% Information related to '83.233.0.0/16AS29518'

route: 83.233.0.0/16
descr: LABS2-BLK
origin: AS29518
mnt-by: LABS2-MNT
changed: ******@labs2.se 20040209
source: RIPE

The 'problem' is that this result is closer to my real result than the result I got when sending email without Relakks. Maybe I'm missing the point? How much information about me can actually be revolved from this 'Labs2'?

One thing that I like with Relakks is that I can use my domains original SMTP for outgoing emails :-)

[Henrik]

What ISP do you use in regular cases? If you use Labs2 (Bredband2 and connected city networks) you'll get the same information I should think. Edit: The difference is that even if you run Relakks from within a Labs2-affiliated network your information will still be "anonymized" through Relakks, and obiding under the same telecommuncation laws and practices as anyone else connecting to Relakks from an external Internet provider.

If you don't run anything from the Labs2 network, you shouldn't get a Labs2-affiliated IP-address in your X-IPaddress mailheader. (Are you sure you didn't disconnect the VPN connection before trying to send another test email?)


The 'problem' is that this result is closer to my real result than the result I got when sending email without Relakks.

I didn't understand this sentence.


The 'problem' is that this result is closer to my real result than the result I got when sending email without Relakks. Maybe I'm missing the point? How much information about me can actually be revolved from this 'Labs2'?
Dold.se (or any other competitor) works in the same way as Relakks, only with the later mentioned all of your connections to the Internet is being anonymized, not only web-traffic on port 80 and port 443.

As Relakks and Dold.se costs about the same amount of money, Relakks is to prefer.



One thing that I like with Relakks is that I can use my domains original SMTP for outgoing emails :-)Yes, Relakks has (almost) all ports open to the net.

[OnInternet2]

Are you sure you didn't disconnect the VPN connection before trying to send another test email?.

Are you telling me that I shall not get those results when sending mail with Relakks? I'm a bit confused now.

[Henrik]

Are you telling me that I shall not get those results when sending mail with Relakks? I'm a bit confused now.

You should get these results, but your post confused me in your turn ;)

When you get the Labs2 IP-address, you are anonymous online and for all services you use on the Internet.

A tip is to go to http://www.ip-adress.com and see that your IP-address (running Relakks) is located in the absolute center of the country of Sweden.

[OnInternet2]

Nice :-)

Thanks!

[Henrik]

Where are you located? I'd be interested in hearing about the performance of your Relakks VPN connection from where you're at :)

[OnInternet2]

Where are you located? I'd be interested in hearing about the performance of your Relakks VPN connection from where you're at :)

A couple of miles from Stockholm. As long, I'm really satisfied with Relakks. I'm using it with Thunderbird and for surfing without any problems. I haven't tested it yet with Skype but I will try that 2 soon.

[Henrik]

Ah, alright. Well, you might get a slight quality decrease using Relakks - not very noticable, but it might be there. I'm using Telia Sonera myself and I notice a significant difference while using services - especially across the atlantic.

Using SSH feels a bit slower to respond using Relakks, you get a certain level of packetloss going around in Second Life (if you do this) and so on.

But, over-all - Relakks is a good service for it's purpose and price! :)