Recommended VPN and Anonymization Tools for Privacy Protection

The Book of Secret Knowledge recommends deploying self-hosted VPN servers via Streisand (supporting WireGuard and OpenVPN) alongside Tor-based utilities like multitor and Tor Browser instead of relying on commercial VPN providers.

The trimstray/the-book-of-secret-knowledge repository maintains a curated list of security tools in README.md (specifically around lines 347-351, 408, and 763-764) that prioritize user control and cryptographic transparency. Rather than endorsing commercial VPN services—which the repository explicitly warns against—the guide focuses on solutions that let you own your infrastructure or leverage the Tor network for genuine anonymity.

The Problem with Commercial VPN Services

According to the source analysis of README.md, the repository includes a cautionary stance against generic commercial VPN providers. The recommended philosophy centers on self-hosting or using Tor ecosystems, ensuring that no third-party entity can log, monitor, or monetize your traffic metadata. This approach eliminates the trust issues inherent in opaque privacy policies and centralized data retention.

Self-Hosted VPN Solutions via Streisand

Streisand is the repository’s primary recommendation for users needing a secure tunnel without intermediary companies. It is an automated installer that provisions hardened VPN servers supporting multiple protocols.

Automated Multi-Protocol Deployment

Streisand can simultaneously configure WireGuard, OpenSSH, OpenVPN, and Shadowsocks on a fresh server. Located in the VPN section of README.md, this tool generates client configuration files and firewall rules automatically, reducing the risk of misconfiguration that exposes traffic.

WireGuard: Modern Cryptographic Defaults

When deployed via Streisand, WireGuard provides a lightweight, high-performance tunnel using modern cryptographic primitives (Curve25519, ChaCha20, Poly1305). The repository notes its very low latency and strong security properties compared to legacy VPN protocols.

OpenVPN: Battle-Tested Compatibility

For environments requiring broader client support, Streisand can alternatively deploy OpenVPN with hardened cipher suites. The installer generates both server configurations and client bundles (.ovpn files), applying automatic iptables hardening to prevent DNS leaks and unauthorized ingress.

Tor-Based Anonymization Utilities

For users requiring network-level anonymity rather than just encrypted tunnels, the repository highlights tools that interface with the Tor network.

Multitor: Parallel Tor Instances

multitor is a Bash utility that creates and manages multiple independent Tor processes. According to the Tor section in README.md, it load-balances traffic across separate circuits (defaulting to ports 9050, 9150, and 9250). This isolation prevents traffic correlation attacks by ensuring that different applications use distinct exit nodes and paths through the network.

Tor Browser: Hardened Web Browsing

The repository lists Tor Browser as the canonical end-user tool for anonymous web access. It routes all HTTP/HTTPS traffic through the Tor network and includes anti-fingerprinting hardening to resist tracking techniques that standard browsers cannot block.

Deployment Examples from the Source Code

The following commands mirror the practical implementations referenced in the repository's documentation.

Deploy a Streisand WireGuard Server

# Clone the Streisand installer

git clone https://github.com/StreisandEffect/streisand.git
cd streisand

# Run the interactive playbook and select WireGuard when prompted

./streisand

# After completion, apply the generated client configuration

sudo wg-quick up /path/to/streisand-client.conf

This produces a fully-configured WireGuard endpoint with firewall rules and DNS leak protection, eliminating reliance on third-party VPN providers.

Configure OpenVPN via Streisand

# From the Streisand directory, rerun the installer selecting OpenVPN

./streisand

# Start the generated OpenVPN service

sudo systemctl start openvpn@server

# Connect using the provided client bundle

openvpn --config client.ovpn

The resulting configuration uses strong cipher suites and automatic iptables rules for traffic isolation.

Launch Multiple Tor Circuits with Multitor

# Install multitor from the repository

git clone https://github.com/trimstray/multitor.git
cd multitor

# Initialize three independent Tor instances

./multitor start 3

# Verify distinct exit IPs for each SOCKS proxy

curl --socks5 127.0.0.1:9050 https://check.torproject.org/api/ip
curl --socks5 127.0.0.1:9150 https://check.torproject.org/api/ip
curl --socks5 127.0.0.1:9250 https://check.torproject.org/api/ip

This setup enables you to assign different applications to different Tor circuits, preventing stream correlation.

Install Tor Browser on Linux

# Download and extract the official bundle

wget https://dist.torproject.org/torbrowser/12.5.1/tor-browser-linux64-12.5.1_EN-US.tar.xz
tar -xf tor-browser-linux64-12.5.1_EN-US.tar.xz
cd tor-browser*/

# Launch the hardened browser

./start-tor-browser.desktop

All traffic automatically routes through the Tor network with built-in anti-fingerprinting protections.

Summary

• Avoid commercial VPNs: The Book of Secret Knowledge explicitly warns against trusting generic commercial VPN providers due to logging risks and opaque policies.
• Self-host with Streisand: Deploy WireGuard or OpenVPN on your own server using the automated installer referenced in README.md (lines ~763-764).
• Use Tor for anonymity: Leverage multitor to create isolated circuits for different traffic types, and browse with Tor Browser for network-level anonymity.
• Verify configurations: Always check firewall rules and DNS settings using the provided wg-quick and openvpn commands to prevent leaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the repository recommend against commercial VPN services?

According to the source analysis, the repository cites concerns about data logging, opaque ownership structures, and the marketing disconnect between "privacy" claims and actual technical practices. Self-hosted solutions like Streisand or Tor-based tools provide verifiable privacy without requiring trust in a third-party entity.

What makes Streisand different from manual VPN configuration?

Streisand automates the hardening process described in README.md lines ~347-351, generating not only server configs but also client certificates, firewall rules, and DNS leak prevention. This reduces the risk of human error that often leaves manually configured VPNs vulnerable to misrouting or cipher downgrade attacks.

How does multitor improve privacy compared to running a single Tor instance?

multitor creates multiple independent Tor processes (defaulting to ports 9050, 9150, 9250) as documented in the repository's Tor section. By isolating different applications to different SOCKS proxies, you prevent traffic correlation attacks where an adversary might link your browsing and file-sharing streams to the same identity.

Can Streisand and Tor be used together for additional protection?

Yes. You can route traffic from a Streisand VPN server through the Tor network, or use multitor locally while connected to a remote Streisand WireGuard endpoint. This layered approach—sometimes called "VPN over Tor" or "Tor over VPN" depending on stacking order—adds encryption to the anonymity mix, though the repository recommends understanding the traffic flow implications for your specific threat model.

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