Windows: Set up SSH tunnel - how it works

If you like surfing the Internet anonymously, it may be worthwhile to set up an SSH tunnel under Windows. You can find out exactly how this is done in this practical tip.

SSH tunnel under Windows: Set up PuTTY

Note: To set up an SSH tunnel under Windows you also need a server with SSH.

1. Download the SSH client "PuTTY" and start it. Installation is not necessary.
2. Enter the server or the IP address with which you want to connect as "Host Name" and select the value 22 under "Port". Note: Select a server that is not being monitored Network is located.
3. For the connection type, select "SSH" under "Protocol:". Also enter a name for the session under "Saved Sessions" so that you can connect again later.
4. On the left side under "Category:" go to "Connection> SSH> Tunnels". Enter a port under "Source port" - eg the value 5000.
5. Finally, select the "Dynamic" item, confirm the process with "Add" and save the session.

Firefox settings: Set up SSH tunnel on Windows

• First start "Firefox" and then open the settings using the three bars in the top right corner.
• Under "Settings", switch to the "Advanced> Network" tab and select "Settings ...".
• Select the "Manual proxy configuration:" item and enter the IP "127.0.0.1" under "SOCKS host" and the dynamic port (eg 5000) under "Port:".
• Now select the item "SOCKS v5" and confirm the settings with "OK".
• To confirm the settings, go to Firefox's address bar and enter "about: config" here. Confirm the following warning with "I will be careful, I promise!".
• Search for the settings name "network.proxy.socks_remote_dns" and double-click on the value "true".
• Visited websites are now forwarded from Firefox to the SSH server.

This practical tip refers to Firefox 35.0.1 Final and PuTTY 0.63 Beta under Windows 7. In the next practical tip you will learn how to set up a proxy manually.