Understanding Proxychains4.conf & anonsurf in Kali Linux

Proxychains is a powerful tool that enables users to run any application through a proxy server. It is particularly useful for maintaining anonymity and bypassing network restrictions. In Kali Linux, a popular penetration testing distribution, Proxychains is commonly used for concealing the identity of the user during security assessments.

1. Installation of Proxychains:

Before diving into the configuration, make sure Proxychains is installed. If not, you can install it using the following command:

sudo apt-get install proxychains

2. Configuring Proxychains4.conf:

Proxychains’ configuration is specified in the proxychains4.conf file. This file is located in the /etc/proxychains4.conf directory. Open the configuration file with your preferred text editor:

sudo nano /etc/proxychains4.conf

Key Configuration Parameters:

• dynamic_chain: Set this option to true. It enables Proxychains to dynamically choose proxies from the list.
• strict_chain: Set to false if you want Proxychains to continue working even if one proxy fails.
• proxy_dns: Enable this to proxy DNS requests through the proxy server.
• tcp_read_time_out and tcp_connect_time_out: Adjust these options to control the timeout for TCP connections.
• [ProxyList] Section: Here, you specify the list of proxies you want to use. Add proxies in the format <proxy_type> <ip_address> <port>. For example:
• plaintextCopy code
• socks5 127.0.0.1 9050 http 192.168.1.1 8080

3. Using Proxychains:

Once configured, using Proxychains is straightforward. Simply prepend the command with proxychains. For instance, to run the nmap tool through a proxy:

proxychains nmap -sT target.com

Proxychains will route the traffic through the specified proxies, enhancing your anonymity during network activities.

Anonsurf: Anonymous Surfing in Kali Linux

Anonsurf is a utility specifically designed for Kali Linux that simplifies the process of anonymizing network traffic. It integrates several tools like Tor and IPTables to provide a seamless anonymous browsing experience.

1. Installation of Anonsurf:

Before using Anonsurf, ensure it is installed. You can install it using the following commands:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install anonsurf

2. Usage:

After installation, you can start Anonsurf using the command:

sudo anonsurf start

This command initiates the anonymization process, routing your network traffic through the Tor network.

Key Anonsurf Commands:

• start: Initiates the anonymization process.
• stop: Stops Anonsurf, restoring the original network configuration.
• restart: Restarts the Anonsurf service.
• change: Requests a new identity from the Tor network.

3. Configuration File:

Anonsurf’s configuration file is located at /etc/anonsurf/anonsurf.conf. Here, you can tweak settings like the Tor circuit and DNS configuration.

4. Monitoring:

To monitor the anonymization status, you can use the command:

sudo anonsurf status

This command provides information about the current status of Anonsurf.

5. Additional Notes:

• Anonsurf also includes features like blocking all IPv6 traffic and preventing DNS leaks.
• Ensure that you’re using Anonsurf responsibly and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

By combining the power of Proxychains and Anonsurf, Kali Linux users can enhance their privacy and anonymity during penetration testing and security assessments. Always use such tools ethically and responsibly.