Additional information about personal VPN proxy（Shadowsocks）
Shadowsocks is an open-source, lightweight tool that helps keep your internet activity private and lets you access websites that might be blocked in some places. Think of it as a secure tunnel that protects your data while you browse, similar to a VPN but simpler and faster. It’s designed to be efficient, using less computer power, which makes it great for quick and secure connections, especially in areas with strict internet rules.
With Shadowsocks, your data is encrypted using strong methods, like AES-256-GCM, to keep it safe from hackers or anyone trying to snoop. It works by setting up a server (like the one I built on Ubuntu in the cloud) that you connect to from your device, such as a phone or computer. You use a Shadowsocks app to enter details like the server’s address, a password, and an encryption type. The server then forwards your internet traffic through an encrypted path, hiding your real location and making it look like regular web traffic, which helps it slip past network restrictions.
Unlike a VPN, which protects all your device’s internet traffic, Shadowsocks focuses on specific apps, like your browser, making it more flexible and less demanding on resources. It uses a protocol called SOCKS5 to securely send your requests to websites and bring back the results, all while keeping your activity private. This project’s Shadowsocks server showcases how I used Linux commands and scripting to set up a secure, efficient way to access the internet safely.
To use this Shadowsocks server, you need a third-party client app, like Shadowrocket or Surge, installed on your device (computer, phone, or tablet). Download the app from the App Store, then enter the server’s details: the IP address, port number (like 8388), password, and encryption method (such as AES-256-GCM), which I provide in the configuration instructions. Once you input these details, the client connects to the server, encrypting your internet traffic and routing it through the secure tunnel. This lets you browse safely or access restricted sites, with the client handling all the technical work in the background.