How to get around a transparent proxy

Even though you say you do not wish to use a web client i have to suggest one to you because it’s probably the easiest way to bypass the restrictions put on you by your ‘university’. Meebo is a service that connects you to major IM networks. It is very nice looking and can do many things a ‘regular’ client can do. You can also use it across platforms (any browser that can access the web and supports javascript will do). Plus, when you go back home for break you can use it to keep in touch with friends without installing any softwares on the ‘kitchen PC’.

If, like AIM, MSN servers listen on most ports you may be able to configure your client to connect to the same server but on port 80. Since i do not know what version of client software you are using i cannot help you with configuration. i will provide Pidgin (multi-protocol IM client) connect information below.

Run Pidgin after you have installed it. Click on “Accounts” on the top menu of the “Buddy List” >> “Add/Edit” >> “Add” button. Under the “Protocol:” drop down box choose “MSN”. type your MSN screenname in the box (don’t forget to include @example.com). Click on the “Advanced” tab. Change the port to 80 (even though it will connect on 80 anyway). Check the “Use HTTP Method” checkbox. click “Save”. Check the box next to the Account you just added. Enter the password for this account when prompted for it. Click “Ok” or hit the Enter/Return key on the keyboard. Your account should be signed on now. i have uploaded a mash-up of screenshots that show you this method via graphics.

If the above method does not work you can use proxies. The ‘university’ uses proxies to restrict access but you can use proxies to bypass their restrictive access. This can be achieved via many SOCKS (open or tor) or HTTP proxies that lay on the internet. There are other “Proxy Networks” but i won’t go into them here.

Pidgin supports both SOCKS (open and tor) and HTTP proxies. If you wish to learn more about bypassing restrictive environments via tor i suggest you visit Tor: anonymity online. From there you will be instructed to install tor software (the source code is also available for security testing). Afterwards you MUST configure Pidgin (and other programs) to access the internet through tor.

If you do not wish to use tor (for what ever reason) you can set up MSN to use SOCKS or HTTP proxies manually. There exist on the internet many sites that list SOCKS and HTTP proxies. One such site is SAS: SamAir Security. Proxy lists. Proxy tools. (they list both HTTP and SOCKS proxies). Please remember that open proxies are less stable than TOR exit nodes and will cause your MSN connection to be less reliable. Also note that if you do access unencrypted networks through SOCKS (tor or open) or HTTP proxies all your messages (including any unencrypted user/password) will be in plain text (they can be seen by anyone who dares to look). While using tor the only people that will be able to see your unencrypted texts will be ones located behind (and including) the exit node (between all other nodes content is encrypted).

If for some reason you do feel compelled to send spam emails (Port 25 is used for SMTP) maybe some tor exit nodes are configured as open relays (but the default exit policy doesn’t allow it). I’m almost certain most open SOCKS are Open Relays. Even though you probably can please don’t. You’ll be ruining this service for many people less privileged than you.

Also if you find later that your ‘university’ does not support the free transfer of texts (or Freedom of Speech as it is known as in the USA) and is blocking access to a certain website you can use any of the above methods to bypass that restriction. You can also use the numerous Web proxies (proxies that can be accessed by web browser — do not require configuration) listed on Proxy.org. BoingBoing also has a page dedicated to defeating censorware (software/hardware that is used to censor network connections).

If the ‘university’ requires you to login to their wireless network via a username and password combination unique to you i do not suggest you engage in any activity on their network. They will most likely be watching your every packet. If any of the above is in violation of any agreement that you signed (or agreed to) before getting your unique user/pass they will catch you. Instead find a nearby unencrypted wireless network and use tor on all your connections.