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This is accurate for now, Tor is not enabled by default. We chose to do this as a UX decision, as Tor can often be slow and unreliable at times, similar to a VPN. Our goal is to target normal users who have little to none of the experience that most of us have here and having their baseline privacy protected without having to compromise on a UX that they would be used to and familiar with (expectations). Hard balance, but we are looking for it and always open to feedback. Recently, some members have suggested an I2P integration which is something we want to do more research on. If we can get things smooth on all fronts, we would also like to have these bases covered from the very beginning at the account creation process.
The only thing that I can think of that would change that is essentially already having a Nostr account and having your relay list updated to your own relays or preferred external (still potentially exposed) upon first time logging into Vector, but this excludes all new Vector accounts and new users, therefore somewhat irrelevant and unrealistic scenario for 99% of users.
I think @aillia means having the option of using Tor on first launch. Not having it be on by default.
First boot page (no connections) -> an optional tor button before connections are made -> connections are made
Unless I'm misunderstanding the problem
I think Amethyst does this:
You're right, at least that is what I see now as well. Appreciate sharing the Amethyst reference. It is a nice alternative solution to allow for an added layer of privacy before creating an account or logging in. Will discuss this with the team.
By the way, thanks for making this post. I assume you're already in the Monero Community on Vector/Concord. Feel free to tag me and say hey.
That would be awesome 🧡
You and @AilliA have already encouraged us to begin mapping the UX/UI to implement this. Beginning with the widescreen client, v0.5.0. Thanks to you both! 🧡
@yuurinbee
, thank you thank you thank you 🧡
And sorry if I was annoying here (tbh I of all people know how to use things if I really need to: do settings offline / route it via torsocks / Orbot, or I can just run it in Whonix rn :)) The first-launch complaint was just me being lazy and annoying. In my dream world I just want to use everything in Tor Browser on clean travel laptops, it’s the only way I can use things consistently. e.g. I have SimpleX on one of my phones, but as long as I can’t use it in Tor Browser I sometimes can’t check it for weeks (I don’t want to worry about customs asking me to unlock installed apps + potential app data retention etc...)
TL;DR: You do the right thing designing nice, beautiful things for normal users.
I’m just an alien of my own species…
Anyway, happy the new Tor toggle serves good future paranoids :)
[Teaser image at the bottom]
Hehe :3 Believe it or not, I almost feel silly for not thinking of that before to be honest. It's just a million new things everyday for many, many months it feels. That is exactly why we listen to all feedback and prioritize it for development. Solid addition and thank you and @MutinousCode for highlighting this. We have already mapped out most of the UX/UI except for a i info tag popup explaining Tor, benefits, and how to edit it once in app.
So, thank you both 🧡
Next release will be AilliA-friendly and maybe we will finally have a reliable channel to communicate with lol
Ooooh, if it’s decentralized on Nostr, and actually works in Tor Browser… you’ll already sound better than Matrix :))
Just imagine every Monero Matrix chat quietly packing up and moving to Vector ))) idk if you’re ready for that many paranoids at once lol :)))
Thank you, can’t wait 🧡🧡🧡
No, I think you're right. Will v0.5.0 have the ability to enable Tor on first launch similar to Amethyst and Dark Wisp, @yuurinbee?
Correct, as soon as you enable Tor in the Settings it will boot up with Tor enabled next time until if/when you turn it off.
Thanks for sharing this post above with the Monero community here. Only make sense for privacy lovers to also have a private comms, without having to sacrifice the network, UX, and good times. We are working hard to make that a reality and a full-blown Discord replacement by the end of the year.
If you have any questions feel free to ping me.
Here is some more info + visuals
https://vector-privacy.gitbook.io/vector-privacy/vector-messenger/features/settings#popuptitle-3
...if I could just use it in Tor Browser I’d be there on day one. Without that it takes time & tokens to vet: e.g Vector’s first launch, as I understand it: Tor is off by default. You hit Create Account / Login first, then the client talks to Nostr relays on your raw IP. The fail-closed Tor path only starts after the Settings toggle. So a normal install on a live network can expose you to relays before you ever get to that toggle. Please correct me if first-run now lets you enable Tor before any outbound connection :)