The project Tor announced on the launch of the campaign to attract 200 new webtunel-bridges to the end years. These bridges are necessary to combat growing Internet censorship, especially in countries with limited access to the network.
At the moment, Tor uses 143 WebTunnel Most, which help users bypassing sites blocking and restrictions on Internet access. However, the strengthening of Internet censorship in some regions creates additional obstacles, affecting built-in dispensation mechanisms such as OBFS4 and Snowflake.
Webtunnel-Mosts are a new type of technology represented by Tor in March 2024. They allow you to mask the traffic Tor to the usual HTTPS, which complicates their detection. Unlike standard bridges using protocols such as OBFS4, Webtunnel works through a web server with a valid SSL/TLS certificate, remaining invisible to the lock systems.
Among the problems that TOR users are faced, attempts to block bridges and guidance tools are noted, the removal of relevant applications from stores and restrictions at the level of hosting providers. This complicates access to free Internet for users from Russia and emphasizes the need to increase the number of Webtunnel Mosts.
The campaign will last until March 10, 2025, and the participants who will install five or more bridges will be awarded a memorable gift from Tor Project. For participation, it is required:
- one bridge for each IPV4 address;
- the existing active SSL/TLS-certificate;
- a website supporting the bridge ;
- Minimum throughput of 1 TB/month;
- 24 -hour bridge availability (permissible reloading for updates);
- Mandatory functioning of the bridges during the year.
The organization recommends avoiding the use of Hotzner hosting and is ready to provide instructions for setting up bridges on its official website.
Tor Project hopes that the new Webtunnel Mosts will help maintain access to free Internet in conditions of strengthening control over the network.