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DESCRIPTION
Privoxy is a web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting privacy, filtering web page content, managing cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups and other obnoxious Internet junk. Privoxy has a very flexible configuration and can be customized to suit individual needs and tastes. Privoxy has application for both stand-alone systems and multi-user networks. Privoxy is based on Internet Junkbuster(tm).
WHAT'S NEW
Version 3.0.10-1: Bug fix, includes many enhancements but no major new features. The most prominent improvements are SOCKS5 support and zlib support for the default Privoxy builds.
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.1 or later.


Developer:Privoxy Developers
Downloads:13,228
  - Version d/l:2,300
Internet:Internet Utilities
License:Free
Date:13 Dec 2008
Platform:PPC/Intel
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Privoxy User Reviews (33 posts)Write A Review
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Aug 18 2008

STROB  I installed v3.0.10 onto OS X 10.4.11 with G5 using universal installer. But as with the initial upgrade to v3.0.8 this version prevents access to the internet. I am hoping that the developer fixes this as fast as he did the last time.  
(Version 3.0.10)

praisebury
0
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Aug 28 2008

STROB  Well, about one week later I received a kernel panic and had to reboot. I then received a pop-up asking me to fix my security settings. All of a sudden Privoxy 3.0.10 is working. Not sure what happened to make the upgrade work. Is a reboot necessary?  
(Version 3.0.10)

praisebury
0
Dec 9 2008

NEONBLUE2  ...yes? I'm not 100% sure but I reckon Privoxy doesn't start itself after installation. That's why you need to restart.  
(Version 3.0.10)

praisebury
0

Aug 18 2008

SMKOL  the re-configuration of Privoxy is completely accessible from the Privoxy Utility(which is a seperate drag-and-drop app) - any alternations to the default settings should be accessible there first and then if you enable the web alterations then you can configure most things through the browser. The current installer will also attempt to copy your current config files and list them as .old and so on in the utility. You can switch back and forth and copy and paste. However if you version is old it might be smarter to start fresh with the new one and add things as you go forward. In my experience a lot of cites that required custom steps to make work now just work.  
(Version 3.0.10)

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May 21 2008

THEBRIX  I find this the best ad-blocker for OS X; it is better than those provided by individual browsers (e.g. OmniWeb, Camino) or supplied as add-ons (e.g. AdBlockPlus, Saft, PithHelmet).

The configuration front end for OS X is a start; although there is no need to alter the configuration (in my experience) if you need to do so you have to edit text files, although they are well presented and commented. I hope that the front end progresses to a full preference pane, as is suggested.

The only weakness is that the installation is not fully automated; you have to edit global network settings to add the proxy (127.0.0.1 port 8118). However, doing so is relatively easy as that configuration is via the Networks preference pane ...

Once that is done a bonus is that all Web connections (e.g. to RSS readers) pass through the proxy and are filtered.  
(Version 3.0.8)

praisebury
+1
[ Reply ]
Feb 15 2008

CORPSECORPS  This altered install location SNAFU is enough to really CHEESE A PERSON OFF, but that's just the beginning!

I ran the installer feeling that it's use was a bad sign to begin with, carefully pored over the readme (remembering what a pain in the nether regions this thing was back in the day), and couldn't find anything about where to find anything.

After the install and a lengthy fruitless look in all the logical installation locations, i did a spotlight search and it too came up empty.

Ran the installer AGAIN just so i could look over the readme AGAIN to find out where to locate the stupid thing. No help.

Opened up Terminal to have a look in more obscure locations. Still couldn't find a bloody Privoxy folder. Tried the 'man' page. Worked, but no help as far as finding the rest.

Went to the online manual and read where it said to look. NOT THERE!

Cranked up Pathfinder and did a search. By then Time Machine had done a backup so i got a lengthy list of files and locations.

What?! It's scattered all over in a bunch of directories not normally visible!

Finally i went to the tracker and found the "Why the changed install location?" entry and read through a bunch of discussion which gave some reason to hope.

Decided to check here for a new version or just express what a non-Mac-like disaster this thing is!

What DO the developers have against simplicity?!

.  
(Version 3.0.8)

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Apr 27 2008

SPACECAT85  According to Pacifist's examination of the install package, it's installed within various subfolders of the /usr directory (hit Command-Option-G in the Finder, then type in the path).

Not sure why they changed this, myself--it might be easier for developers porting it from other systems, but it's definitely less friendly for end users, especially as the traditional Unix directories aren't visible by default on OS X. 3.0.6 and 3.0.3 were both in one tidy "Privoxy" folder in the OS X Library folder.  
(Version 3.0.8)

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Feb 10 2008

MARKM68K  this version of privoxy has been updated. if you downloaded it two ago and were having problems, please download it again as there was a bug on mac os x 10.3 and 10.4 releases.

if you continue to have problems, please email me directly.  
(Version 3.0.8)

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Feb 10 2008

HEAVY_SHOWER  from privoxy.org:

To start Privoxy manually, double-click on the StartPrivoxy.command icon in the /Library/Privoxy folder. Or, type this command in the Terminal:

I installed -- but no such folder exists.

PPC - 10.4.11  
(Version 3.0.8)

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Feb 10 2008

NEONBLUE2  It seems they forgot to update their documentation. If you were using Privoxy 3.0.6 then uninstall it (using the uninstall script in the same folder), install Privoxy 3.0.8, and then restart.

Privoxy 3.0.8 installs into the startup items.  
(Version 3.0.8)

praisebury
+1
Feb 10 2008

HEAVY_SHOWER  Thanks, Neonblue -- I found the folder. But it seems I'll have reinstall.  
(Version 3.0.8)

praisebury
0

Oct 6 2007
*****

STEVEN JAY COHEN  I forgot to rate it :)

Aside from Ease of Use (which I gave a 3), the rest of Privoxy is definitely a 5. Heck, if it were possible, the other entries should all be 6!

Privoxy developers seem to be of the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it school."

It works GREAT in 10.4.10 on my Intel iMac, they don't NEED a newer version. If a new version is needed in 10.5.x, I trust that a newer one will be available.

Great product!  
(Version 3.0.6)

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+2
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Aug 4 2007
*****

BRIONYBOB  No reviews for quite a while, which is a shame: Privoxy is excellent. It's now on version 3.0.6 which is running just fine on my Intel mac, whether it's a universal binary or not. It's easy to configure, once you've given the documentation a quick read, and it does everything that Pith Helmet or Adblocker used to do.

An amazing piece of kit - and free!  
(Version 3.0.6)

praisebury
+1
[ Reply ]
Oct 27 2006

SMKOL  They're working on an update - 3.0.5! Keep watching - new features and smarter filtering!  
(Version 3.0.3)

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0
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May 26 2006

SMKOL  I also use privoxy and many of the reasons outlined are still true.

I would add a few comments. First, the released version is PPC only. You can get an Intel version - setup DarwinPorts on the intel and there is a privoxy setup to install - it compiled well on mine and delivered an intel based version of the program. Stop the old version, delete or rename the old main app, copy the new one from under the /opt folder of DarwinPorts to the main installation and then, reset permissions, and start it back up. I haven't noticed a big difference in performance but I felt better ( :-) )

Now, one thing that has bothered me a for a long long time. I'm concerned about nepharious web traffic that virus or trojan-like. At the mild level it's adware which doesn't yet affect the Macs much and at the severe level it's the security updates we get. I thought it would be smart of Privoxy to actually scan incoming content with a formal virus scanner. I see evidence such a thing was actually suggested before the final release with a contribution someone offered - but it's nowhere to be found.

Some other schemes exist to do this, but most aren't Mac friendly, or mature, or easy or require a whole sale reconfig of your entire network, in order to use.

I think such an addition would be a very great thing. Apple's pretty much tossed sand in the faces of virus writters with their recent ad campaign....  
(Version 3.0.3)

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