Anonymous communication with PirateBox
Hoist the Mainsails
Besides the installation instructions, you will find a detailed page with further "Raspberry Pi(rate) Box Mods" in the PirateBox wiki [6]. For example, you can enable a USB WiFi stick if you do not want to use the wireless module built into the RPi3, and you will also find information on how to encrypt the WiFi network provided by PirateBox.
For security reasons, PirateBox isolates the devices logged in over WiFi from one another. In network engineering-speak, this is known as "AP isolation," with the result that data can only be exchanged between participants via PirateBox. In return, isolation provides security against unfriendly access to the client computers. If so desired, you can disable this function with a configuration in the /opt/piratebox/conf/hostapd.conf
file (Listing 5).
Listing 5
Disabling AP Isolation
$ sudo sed -i -e 's|ap_isolate=1|#ap_isolate=1|g' /opt/piratebox/conf/hostapd.conf $ sudo systemctl restart piratebox
If you have run out of small memory cards, and you do not want to waste space on the system SD, you can extend the system to the complete SD card by logging in to PirateBox via SSH and executing the command:
$ sudo /opt/piratebox/rpi/bin/sdcard_share.sh
After a brief moment, the complete storage capacity of the SD card is available under /mnt/sdshare
.
Lessons Learned
PirateBox is suitable for users who want to make an anonymous file server available to friends and acquaintances at meetings. The developers have designed the system to work without logins, and it works independently of the locally available network infrastructure: Using the Raspberry Pi's wireless LAN adapter, it sets up its own network. Additionally, PirateBox does not keep any logbooks, so it cannot trace who is chatting, has what nickname, is writing forum posts, or is loading data into the treasure chest.
Application scenarios include, for example, musicians and bands who want to offer their fans individual tracks for download at concerts or pop-up gigs. A power bank is all you need to supply the Raspberry Pi with electricity. Teachers could provide their students with a fast and easy way to use a server for projects, and presenters could use PirateBox to provide materials for a conference.
Infos
- PirateBox: https://piratebox.cc/raspberry_pi:diy
- Kareha: http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/web/wakaba_kareha
- foobar2000: https://www.foobar2000.org
- VLC Media Player: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/
- Slick UPnP: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cajor.dk.dlna&hl=de
- Raspberry Pi(rate)Box Mods: https://piratebox.cc/raspberry_pi:mods
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
-
Valve and Arch Linux Announce Collaboration
Valve and Arch have come together for two projects that will have a serious impact on the Linux distribution.
-
Hacker Successfully Runs Linux on a CPU from the Early ‘70s
From the office of "Look what I can do," Dmitry Grinberg was able to get Linux running on a processor that was created in 1971.
-
OSI and LPI Form Strategic Alliance
With a goal of strengthening Linux and open source communities, this new alliance aims to nurture the growth of more highly skilled professionals.