Using Tor Browser in Qubes-Whonix™

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Documentation for Tor Browser in Qubes-Whonix: Installation, Update, Start, and Usage

Start Tor Browser[edit]

Qubes Start Menu → Whonix-Workstation™ AppVM (commonly called anon-whonix) → Tor Browser

Update Tor Browser[edit]

Do not run Tor Browser in a Template (whonix-workstation-17) or Disposable Template (whonix-workstation-17-dvm)!

Unfortunately, updating Tor Browser is more complex than regular system updates due to technical limitations outside of Whonix's control. [1] Apply the following instructions to keep Tor Browser up-to-date at all times.

New App Qubes and Disposables[edit]

In Qubes-Whonix™, Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix (update-torbrowser) automatically runs when the Whonix-Workstation™ Template (whonix-workstation-17) package tb-updater is updated. Therefore, running Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix inside the Template (whonix-workstation-17) ensures that new App Qubes and Disposables are created with a copy of the latest Tor Browser version.

If the Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix package tb-updater has not been updated yet, it is advised to manually run it in the Whonix-Workstation Template (whonix-workstation-17). For instructions, see Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix.

Disposable Template[edit]

Do not run Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix inside the Disposable Template (whonix-workstation-17-dvm)! It should only be run in the Template (whonix-workstation-17) or in a whonix-workstation-17-based App Qube (anon-whonix). [2] [3]

For further information on installing, updating and using Tor Browser in Qubes Disposables, see: How to use Disposables in Qubes-Whonix.

Existing App Qubes[edit]

Follow these steps to update Tor Browser in an existing Whonix-Workstation App Qube such as anon-whonix:

  1. Start Tor Browser: Qubes Start Menu → Whonix-Workstation App Qube (commonly called anon-whonix) → Tor Browser
  2. Use Tor Browser Internal Updater.

Summary[edit]

Tor Browser Downloader (by Whonix developers):

Tor Browser Downloader (by Whonix developers) is useful to run inside:

  • Whonix-Workstation Template (whonix-workstation-17): to ensure that new App Qubes and Disposables are created with a copy of the latest Tor Browser version.
  • Whonix-Workstation App Qube (anon-whonix): to re-install the latest Tor Browser version in existing Whonix-Workstation App Qubes.

Tor Browser Downloader (by Whonix developers) is less useful if run inside:

  • Disposables: because upgrades won't persist

Tor Browser Downloader (by Whonix developers) should not be run in:

  • Disposable Template (whonix-workstation-17-dvm)

Tor Browser:

Tor Browser is useful to run in:

  • Whonix-Workstation App Qube (anon-whonix)
  • Dispoables

Tor Browser should not be run in:

  • Whonix-Workstation Template (whonix-workstation-17)
  • Disposable Template (whonix-workstation-17-dvm)

See Also[edit]

Footnotes / References[edit]

  1. ↑ Tor Browser Update: Technical Details
  2. ↑ It is possible to run Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix inside a Disposable as well -- probably easiest using Tor Browser Internal Updater -- and then restart Tor Browser. However, these updates will not persist due to the Disposable design.
  3. ↑ See tb-updater in Qubes Template for technical details.
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