Tor Relay

Node.js module to create a tor node or maybe also a relay.

I have not found a better name for this module, all others were already taken by other modules, but they do not provide the range of functionality I wanted to have).

How to install

# check pre-requirements!
npm install --save tor-relay

Pre-requirements

You need to have a installed version of tor on your system. You can download it from torproject.org. Or install it with your packet manager of your choice:

• APT-GET (Debian, Ubuntu etc.): sudo apt-get install tor
• Port (MacOSX): sudo port install tor
• YUM (Feodory, CentOS): sudo yum install tor (maybe you have to add repos first)

You should take a look at the torproject-website in every case

How to use

var TorRelay = require('tor-relay');

var relay = new TorRelay({

    controlPassword: 'test', // If not set, TorRelay will make a random password. Set to false or '' for no password.
    controlPort: 9051,       // If not set, TorRelay will find a random free port.
    socksPort: 9050          // If not set, TorRelay will find a random free port.
});

// Make this module verbose
relay.on('notice', function (event) {
    console.log(event.message); // Log tor notices for more information
});

relay.on('warn', function (event) {
    console.log(event.message); // Log tor warnings for more information
});

relay.start(function (err) {
    if (err) {
        return console.error(err);
    }
    // Tor is now connected into a circuit!
    // Your code here

    // get a new circuit
    relay.control.signalNewnym(function () {
        // now we have a new circuit in tor.
    });

    // Halt tor if you want to:
    relay.stop(function (err) {
        if (err) {
            return console.error(err);
        }
        // Tor is now stopped.
    });
});

Methods

• .start(callback): Start tor
• .stop(callback): Stop tor
• .restart(callback): Stop and start tor again (aka. restart).

Properties

• cleanUpOnExit: Kill tor sub-process and temporary directory on exit? (default true)
• dataDirectory: Path to tor directory (default is a random temporary one).
• process: The spawned tor child process.
• control: Connected instance of tor-control.
• service: Settings for services (not possible to change in running process, use restart method).
  • socks: Socks5 Tor service.
    • username: Username to access Socks service.
    • password: Password to access Socks service.
    • port: Port of Socks service.
  • control: Tor control service.
    • password: Password to access control service.
    • port: Port of control service.