tor-project August 2021

tor-project@lists.torproject.org

11 participants
18 discussions

Test the Tor Forum Structure
by UX Team 12 Aug '21

12 Aug '21

Hi there, We're currently building a Discourse forum for the Tor Community. This is a call for participation to help us test and iterate on the proposed structure of our new Tor Forum. The methodology for this study is called 'tree testing', and it will help us to understand the usability of our structure and labels. You will be asked to solve 7 tasks, and this should take around 10 minutes. Before the tasks themselves you will be asked some demographics questions. All responses are anonimized. Please participate in this research in your own pace. We'd love your feedback! * link to the test: https://survey.torproject.org/index.php/786927 <https://survey.torproject.org/index.php/786927> * or visit the onion version: http://eh5esdnd6fkbkapfc6nuyvkjgbtnzq2is72lmpwbdbxepd2z7zbgzsqd.onion/index… <http://eh5esdnd6fkbkapfc6nuyvkjgbtnzq2is72lmpwbdbxepd2z7zbgzsqd.onion/index…> This test will be open for one week, starting today. Thanks for helping, UX Team The Tor Project -- UX Team The Tor Project

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CollecTor 1.18.0 released
by Iain R. Learmonth 11 Aug '21

11 Aug '21

Hi, I have released CollecTor 1.18.0. CollecTor fetches data from various nodes and services in the public Tor network and makes it available to the world. The latest changes: Medium changes * Medium changes - Keep overload-* lines unmodified in sanitised bridge descriptors. - Introduces a new module to archive bridgestrap results. - Update metrics-lib to 2.18.0. You can find the release at: https://dist.torproject.org/collector/1.18.0/ You can find the sources at: https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/metrics/collector/-/tree/collector-1.18.0/ Thanks, Iain.

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Network health meetings suspended until August 9th 2021
by Gaba 09 Aug '21

09 Aug '21

Hi! The network health meetings [0] that usually happen on Mondays in irc will be suspended until August 9th. If you have anything related to discuss please send a mail to the network-health mailing list. [1] cheers, gaba [0] http://kfahv6wfkbezjyg4r6mlhpmieydbebr5vkok5r34ya464gqz6c44bnyd.onion/p/tor… [1] https://lists.torproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/network-health -- pronouns she/her/they GPG Fingerprint EE3F DF5C AD91 643C 21BE 8370 180D B06C 59CA BD19

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Monthly status report for irl
by Iain R. Learmonth 06 Aug '21

06 Aug '21

Hi All, This is my monthly status report for work complete during July 2021 (except the week that I was on vacation). This month saw the release of metrics-lib 2.18.0. I worked on adding bridgestrap test results into metrics-lib with a view to switching Onionoo's bridge "up/down indicator" to using bridgestrap rather than ORPort testing conducted by the bridge authority. I also reviewed/merged/tested other contibutions in this release. I have a working implementation of the CollecTor portion of the bridgestrap work, my local development branch can happily archive stats from bridgestrap, although some final remaining issues in bridgestrap itself mean that the deployment has been delayed. In August I plan to release and deploy this new CollecTor module and also complete the changes to Onionoo. Finally, I have been around in Matrix/IRC to answer Metrics questions and on occasion to provide a little end-user support in #tor. The weekly network health meetings have been suspended, but if you've got any questions about anything I'm working on, just send me an email or chat on Matrix/IRC. Thanks, Iain.

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Job Announcement - User Support Specialist
by Erin Wyatt 05 Aug '21

05 Aug '21

Hello, everyone! We have a new job opening for a User Support Specialist: https://www.torproject.org/about/jobs/user-support-specialist/ <https://www.torproject.org/about/jobs/user-support-specialist/> This is a part-time position, around 20 hours per week. The job description is pasted below. Please help us spread the word by sharing with any people, lists, and/or social media that you think you think might be helpful. Thank you! :) Cheers, Erin Wyatt Director of People Operations ewyatt(a)torproject.org PGP: 35E7 2A9F 6655 45F9 2CB6 6624 BA0C 9400 F80F 91CE https://www.torproject.org <https://www.torproject.org/> http://2gzyxa5ihm7nsggfxnu52rck2vv4rvmdlkiu3zzui5du4xyclen53wid.onion/ <http://2gzyxa5ihm7nsggfxnu52rck2vv4rvmdlkiu3zzui5du4xyclen53wid.onion/> ------------------------------------ >8 August 4, 2021 Internet Freedom Nonprofit Seeks User Support Specialist The Tor Project, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advancing human rights and freedoms by creating and deploying free and open source anonymity and privacy technologies, is seeking a User Support Specialist to be a part of the Community Team. Are you passionate about helping people all over the world access the Internet freely, safely, and anonymously? As the User Support Specialist, you will be responsible for providing technical support and digital security best practices for Tor users around the world. You will help users remotely via various communication methods such as email, tickets, text-based live chat (IRC), and online forums. You will also collaborate with the UX and Applications teams, improving Tor Browser and other products by identifying, reproducing, and tracking bugs, and by reporting on user needs. This position will be directly connected to the Community Team roadmap and activities in the Global South. The Community Team at the Tor Project coordinates digital security trainings and user education, localization, user support, and documentation. The team is composed of volunteers and The Tor Project staff members. We expect the person in this position to have a personal commitment to free and open source software, excellent communication and documentation skills, and a passion for helping others. This is a part-time, remote position, estimated at 20 hours per week. Hourly rate will be between $25-32 USD, depending on experience. ## Job Requirements In this role, you will: - Answer users' requests on our support forums and channels. - Provide support to community organizations in target countries in the Global South. - Collaborate on identifying Tor Browser bugs and other issues. - Support new relay operators. - Compile and share usability issues with the UX and Applications teams. - Collaborate on maintenance and improvement of user documentation. - Help with QA for Tor Browser and other feature releases ### Required qualifications - Knowledge of how Tor works and understanding of Tor Browser features. - Experience providing user support in a remote setting. - Strong experience with helpdesk tools like Request Tracker (RT) and forum platforms like Discourse. - Familiarity with markdown (e.g. Lektor, wiki markdown formatting, basic html, etc.) - Strong Experience with bug trackers like GitLab and GitHub. - Cross-platform technical skills, including troubleshooting and familiarity with Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux-based operating systems. - Awareness of privacy-by-design practices and respect for our users' privacy and anonymity. - Good understanding of Git workflow. - Largely self-directed, motivated, and organized. - Excellent documentation skills. - Fluency in English is essential. ### Preferred qualifications - Familiarity with tools that are part of the Tor ecosystem like Tails, Orbot, OnionShare, GlobaLeaks, and SecureDrop. - General understanding of Internet privacy and security issues. - Interest in user education. - Good understanding of threat models for users in high-risk parts of the world. - Past contributions to and familiarity with the practices of free software projects. - Passion and dedication to Internet freedom is an added plus. ## How to Apply To apply, submit a cover letter, your CV/resume, and a sample of your work (ideally something that demonstrates your documentation skills). In your cover letter, please include the reason you want to work at the Tor Project and explain how your qualifications meet those required in the job description. IMPORTANT: Please email application materials in PDF format to job-usersupport at torproject dot org with "User Support Specialist" in the subject line. ## About The Tor Project The Tor Project's workforce is smart, committed, and hard working. We currently have a paid and contract staff of around 28 developers and operational support people, plus many thousands of volunteers who contribute to our work. The Tor Project is funded in part by government research and development grants, and in part by individual, foundation, and corporate donations. Tor is for everyone, and we are actively working to build a team that represents people from all over the world - people from diverse ethnic, national, and cultural backgrounds; people from all walks of life. We encourage people subject to systemic bias to apply, including people of color, indigenous people, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and any other person who is part of a group that is underrepresented in tech. The Tor Project has a competitive benefits package, including a generous PTO policy, 16 paid holidays per year (including the week between Christmas and New Year's, when the office is closed), and flexible work schedule. Insurance benefits vary by employment status and country of residence. The Tor Project, Inc. is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

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UX team monthly meetings notes, August 3rd
by Duncan Russell 03 Aug '21

03 Aug '21

Hello, Thanks everyone who made it to today's UX team monthly meeting! We're looking forward to seeing you all again in September. Here are the minutes: http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-08-03-13.59.log… <http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-08-03-13.59.log…> Today we collaborated on a list of ideas for tree-testing tasks for the new forum’s proposed structure, discussed how to recruit participants, presented July’s monthly user feedback report, and shared opportunities for UX, a11y, privacy & security practitioners with the OTF’s SUA Lab and the USENIX Enigma conference. *** == Monthly User Experience Team Meeting == Open IRC meetings happen monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at 1400 UTC in #tor-meeting on OFTC. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday September 7th at 1400 UTC in #tor-meeting on OFTC. Here are the minutes from our most recent meetings: August 3rd: http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-08-03-13.59.log… <http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-08-03-13.59.log…> July 13th: http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-07-13-14.00.log… <http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-07-13-14.00.log…> June 8th: http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-06-08-14.00.log… <http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-06-08-14.00.log…> May 11th: http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-05-11-14.00.log… <http://meetbot.debian.net/tor-meeting/2021/tor-meeting.2021-05-11-14.00.log…> -------------------------- Tuesday August 3rd 14:00 UTC -------------------------- == What projects are we working on? == S9 - Usability and Community Intervention on Support for Democracy and Human Rights https://gitlab.torproject.org/groups/tpo/-/issues?scope=all&utf8=%E2%9C%93&… <https://gitlab.torproject.org/groups/tpo/-/issues?scope=all&utf8=%E2%9C%93&…> S30 - Empowering Communities in the Global South to Bypass Censorship https://gitlab.torproject.org/groups/tpo/-/issues?scope=all&utf8=%E2%9C%93&… <https://gitlab.torproject.org/groups/tpo/-/issues?scope=all&utf8=%E2%9C%93&…> S96 – Rapid Expansion of Access to the Uncensored Internet through Tor in China, Hong Kong, & Tibet https://gitlab.torproject.org/groups/tpo/-/milestones/24 <https://gitlab.torproject.org/groups/tpo/-/milestones/24> S103 – Collaborative ResistancE to Web Surveillance (CREWS) https://gitlab.torproject.org/groups/tpo/-/issues?scope=all&utf8=%E2%9C%93&… <https://gitlab.torproject.org/groups/tpo/-/issues?scope=all&utf8=%E2%9C%93&…> == Announcements == * Tor Browser 10.5.2 Release (desktop only): https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-1052 <https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-1052> * Tor Browser 10.5.3 Release (Android only): https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-1053 <https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-1053> * Tor Browser Alpha 11.0a2 Release: https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-110a2 <https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-110a2> * V2 Onion Services deprecation: https://status.torproject.org/issues/2021-05-6-v2-deprecation/ <https://status.torproject.org/issues/2021-05-6-v2-deprecation/> == Agenda == 1. Let's come up with some tasks together for the forum tree testing: - https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/community/support/-/issues/40026 <https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/community/support/-/issues/40026> - https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/community/support/-/issues/40027 <https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/community/support/-/issues/40027> - https://www.nngroup.com/articles/tree-testing/ <https://www.nngroup.com/articles/tree-testing/> Proposed structure here: - https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/community/support/-/issues/40026#note_274… <https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/community/support/-/issues/40026#note_274…> Ideas for tasks: * You've encountered a bug with Tor Browser on your phone. Where would you report it? * You've found a localization issue, where would you report it? * You cannot install Tor Browser, where will you look for help? * You cannot connect with the Tor Network, where will you look for help? * Imagine you were navigating through Tor Browser Android and it crashed after trying to load your e-mail page. Use the tree below to indicate where you can share this bug. * A recent Tor Browser update has changed the way an existing feature works, and you don't like it. Where would you voice your opinion about the change? * A website is not working with Tor. Where would you ask for help? * You have a feature request! Where would you report it? * Your website is not loading in Tor Browser. Where will you look for help? * You're running a Tor training and want to share your methodology and materials in the Forum, where would you do it? [I don't think we have this section yet, what's General Discussion for? Everything that doesn't fit on the categories] * An onion site you're trying to visit is not loading. Where will you look for help? * You're a new relay operator, but your relay is very slow. Where will you look for help? 2. User Feedback Report – July 2021 - https://lists.torproject.org/pipermail/tor-project/2021-August/003156.html <https://lists.torproject.org/pipermail/tor-project/2021-August/003156.html> 3. OTF SUA Lab RFP - The OTF Secure Usability and Accessibility lab is open for proposals * not for projects but for agencies or groups of designers working in the area and willing to work with OTF as a contractor - https://www.opentech.fund/news/request-for-proposal-for-otf-secure-usabilit… <https://www.opentech.fund/news/request-for-proposal-for-otf-secure-usabilit…> 4. CFP USENIX Enigma - https://www.usenix.org/conference/enigma2022/call-for-participation <https://www.usenix.org/conference/enigma2022/call-for-participation> == Open Call for User Research == Find out how to contribute to the UX team: https://community.torproject.org/user-research/how-to-volunteer/ <https://community.torproject.org/user-research/how-to-volunteer/> Thanks everyone! *** Duncan Larsen-Russell Product Manager & UX Team Lead duncan(a)torproject.org <mailto:duncan@torproject.org>

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User Feedback Report - July 2021
by Kulsoom Zahra 03 Aug '21

03 Aug '21

Greetings, everyone! This is a report of the work done by the Community Team in the past month and general user feedback that we've received across our official support channels. Report Period - June 30 upto July 31, 2021 Tickets resolved in the past month: 192 # New RT templates We aggregated statistics of what issues Tor users are frequently running into and turned their solutions into templates on the RT. This will assist those working on the RT to better support users. We created/updated the following articles: 1. Saved Logins and passwords are not available in TB 10.5 2. Updated v2 onion deprecation template to include v2 FAQ Here is a list of issues which got the most attention (at least 2 tickets on RT): # Tor Browser Breakdown of number of RT tickets received with respect to operating system: Windows (10,8,7 ...all the way upto Vista) - 20 macOS - 7 Android - 7 GNU/Linux - 2 iOS - 3 (Note: This includes tickets where the user mentioned the operating system or it was evident from the issue they were running into or enclosed screenshots.) 1. 9 RT tickets - "Tor Unexpectedly Exited": Failure to launch Tor Browser. We point users to the "Seven-point basic troubleshooting" article (template) on the RT to help users. 2. 9 RT tickets - Saved Logins and Passwords are not available. This issue has been covered by the following ticket. [1] We direct users to the "Saved Logins are not available in TB 10.5" article (template) on the RT. 3. 9 RT tickets - Can't access websites; Account suspended. We point users to the "Basic Troubleshooting when users can't access any particular website" article (template) on the RT. 4. 6 RT tickets - Can't connect to the Tor network; "Tor is not working on this browser" 3 of these tickets are with Logs: Tor failed to complete a TLS handshake. We encourage users to use built-in bridges. [2] 5. 3 RT tickets - Can't set multiple pages as home pages. Regarding this we have a ticket on our GitLab. [3] 6. 3 RT tickets - Cannot download files on Tor Browser for Android. Regarding this we have a ticket on our GitLab. [4] A workaround for this recurring issue is to make a new Tor connection and relaunch the download. 7. 3 RT tickets - Fake Tor App on Apple Store. Users are being charged after installing a fake Tor Browser app on iOS. We educate users about fake apps and recommend them to solely use the Onion Browser for iOS. 8. 2 RT tickets - Antivirus interfering with Tor Browser due to snowflake-client.exe. We've a GitLab ticket open to track this issue. [5] 9. 2 RT tickets - Tor Browser for Android: "Quit button not found". We've alot of users on other platforms like Playstore and Reddit, grieving about this lost feature. Regarding this we have a ticket on our GitLab. [6] 10. 2 RT tickets - Reporting bad onion sites. The Tor Project doesnot host or control onion sites, we answer users taking help from the article in our Support portal. [7] # Onion Services 1. 13 RT tickets - v2 onion deprecation. All of these tickets come from users who misinterpreted onion services with Tor, believing that there was something wrong with their Tor Browser. 'Will i be able to use Tor', 'Can you install v3 for me? just call me and tell what to do why is this so difficult', 'where can I download v3 onions?', 'I don't know if i am an operator?' etc etc are some peeks of the RT. We help users identify v2 and v3 onions, point them to the "v2 onion deprecation" article (template) on the RT and FAQ on the Support Portal. [8] # UI/UX and documentation 1. We have updated our documentation (including screenshots and screencaps) in accordance with new connecting experience. [9] 2. Google Play Store - In terms of user experience, reviews mostly revolve around- 'Can't download anything files/images on the latest update', 'can't upload files', 'too many captchas' and 'Tor Browser is slow'. Apart from this, we've recieved good reviews with users being happy after the Quit button is back! 3. Tor Stack Exchange - Statistics of what the discussion has been about (5 most active tags): hidden-services- 16 questions anonymity- 10 questions security- 8 questions tor-browser-bundle- 7 questions configuration (questions about configuring Tor software)- 7 questions 4. Reddit Discussions have been around Reddit has been rate limiting VPN and TOR users. If you try to post more than once in an ~10 minute timespan, you'll see the familiar "you seem to be doing that a lot" Fedora Block Non Tor Traffic Tor is slow double chained VPN and Tor risk of running javascript How should I use Tor when casually browing the clearnet? Upgrading DuckDuckGo Onion Search to V3 can't access website on Tor # Anti-censorship We got a total of 4 tickets requesting help to connect to Tor which have been from Iran, China and other countries. We provided private bridges for them. If you have any suggestions, questions please feel free to reach out to me and/or anyone from the Community Team! Thanks, Kulsoom IRC - kulsoom_z Links: [1]: https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/applications/tor-browser/-/issues/40506 [2]: https://tb-manual.torproject.org/bridges/ [3]: https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/applications/tor-browser/-/issues/40497 [4]: https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/applications/tor-browser/-/issues/31013 [5]: https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/web/support/-/issues/237 [6]: https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/applications/fenix/-/issues/40172 [7]: https://support.torproject.org/abuse/remove-content-from-onion-address/ [8]: https://support.torproject.org/onionservices/#v2-deprecation [9]: https://tb-manual.torproject.org/

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UX team meeting tomorrow, August 3rd
by Duncan Russell 02 Aug '21

02 Aug '21

Hi everyone! Our next User Experience team meeting will be held tomorrow on Tuesday August 3rd at 1400 UTC in #tor-meeting.* During this meeting we'll share an update on the UX team’s ongoing work across key projects, and collaborate on the questions we’d like to ask participants in our upcoming tree testing of the new forum’s proposed structure. If you'd like to get involved please feel free to add your items to the pad: https://pad.riseup.net/p/1D8sK8Zy74b_0qclC97I-ux-team-monthly-2020-keep <https://pad.riseup.net/p/1D8sK8Zy74b_0qclC97I-ux-team-monthly-2020-keep> Remember, User Experience team meetings are an open space for discussion around ethical user research, user interface design and the user experience of privacy-enhancing products. See you soon! Duncan [*] https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/ux/team/-/wikis/home <https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/ux/team/-/wikis/home> *** Duncan Larsen-Russell Product Manager & UX Team Lead duncan(a)torproject.org

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tor-project August 2021