What is Whonix-Gateway™?

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• What is Whonix-Gateway?
• What is Whonix-Workstation?
• Comparison of Whonix-Gateway and Whonix-Workstation

Whonix-Gateway Xfce VM running in the VirtualBox virtualizer (illustrative image)

The Whonix-Gateway is a software component that runs Tor, which moves data across multiple servers called Tor relays to keep users anonymous on the Internet, and it connects any virtual machine properly to the Internet using Tor only, while user applications should be run inside the Whonix-Workstation.

Whonix-Gateway Overview

Whonix-Gateway is software designed to run Tor (onion routing).

Tor is privacy-focused software that routes internet traffic through multiple servers and encrypts it at each step to provide maximum privacy. Tor was initially deployed in October 2002 as a decentralized network operated by entities with diverse interests and trust assumptions, with its code released under a free and open software license. Today, thousands of volunteers run computer servers that keep users anonymous on the internet by moving data across many Tor servers, called Tor relays. The final hop moves the data to the end site, making it hard to trace. For more information, see Why does Whonix use Tor?

Every virtual machine properly connected to Whonix-Gateway is connected to the internet using Tor and only Tor.

Other than occasional visits, users typically spend minimal time on Whonix-Gateway.

Upon the initial boot of Whonix-Gateway, a user-friendly "First Time Connection Wizard" will prompt the user. They will be given an option to connect to the public Tor network (which is feasible for most users) or to configure Bridges. This feature is known as the Anon Connection Wizard.

Apart from Tor configuration (for specific use cases only mentioned in the Documentation), controlling Tor (intended for advanced users), as well as installing updates, there is not much else to do on Whonix-Gateway. Activities such as running applications, especially the Tor Browser, should never be started on Whonix-Gateway. Instead, all user-centric applications ought to be launched from Whonix-Workstation to safely utilize the Tor network.

Figure: Whonix Operating System Design

Whonix is based on the security-focused Linux distribution Kicksecure^™ . To learn more about Whonix, see Overview and Features.

Figure: Whonix-Gateway Xfce VM running in the virtualizer VirtualBox (real screenshot)

See Also

• Whonix-Workstation
• Configure (Private) (Obfuscated) Tor Bridges
• Whonix-Gateway Security Hardening
• Multiple Whonix-Gateway
• Access Whonix-Gateway Ports from the Host
• Non-bridge Censorship Circumvention Tools
• Whonix-Gateway System DNS
• Whonix-Gateway Traffic: Transparent Proxying
• SSH or SSHFS into Whonix-Gateway
• Transfer Files: Host to Whonix-Gateway or Whonix-Workstation via ISO Images
• Chaining Anonymizing Gateways
• Connections Between Whonix-Gateway and Whonix-Workstation
• Whonix-Gateway Firewall
• Tor
• Tor Entry Guards

Footnotes

Whonix The most watertight privacy operating system in the world.

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Whonix is proudly supported until 2025 by Power Up Privacy, a privacy advocacy group that seeks to supercharge privacy projects with resources so they can complete their mission of making our world a better place. (Strictly subject to our sponsorship policy.)

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