Verifying that Bitcoin is running over Tor

[51mqseq]

I'm running Bitcoin Core version v0.13.0 (win 64-bit) and I'd like it to run over Tor (Tor Browser 6.0.5).

In Bitcoin Core's Options GUI I have "Connect through SOCKS5 proxy (default proxy)" DEselected, and I have "Use separate SOCKS5 proxy to reach peers via Tor hidden services [Proxy IP:127.0.0.1] [Port:9050]" SELECTED

In Tor Browser Options/Advanced/Network/Connection I have "Manual proxy configuration: [SOCKS Host: 127.0.0.1] [Port:9150]

I'd think this means that Tor is listening on port 9150, while Bitcoin is trying to connect through port 9050, which would mean no connection. Strange thing is, Bitcoin is connecting.

I'm tempted to just make the ports match, but I wouldn't be confident that it's actually running over Tor since I don't understand why it's working now.

Is there a way to verify that Bitcoin is running over Tor?

[achow101]

If you go to Help > Debug Window > Console and type into the box at the bottom

Code:

getnetworkinfo

it will tell you whether your node is reachable over Tor. Just scroll down in the output and find the entry for "onion". Under that it will say "reachable". If it is reachable over tor (i.e. you are listening over Tor), it will say "true". If you are not, it will be false.

[51mqseq]

Ah, thanks very much achow101! I'd seen getnetworkinfo before, but when I searched for it it seemed like it was an android function.

Here's what I get after changing Bitcoin to connect over :9150:

Code:

 "networks": [
    {
      "name": "ipv4",
      "limited": false,
      "reachable": true,
      "proxy": "",
      "proxy_randomize_credentials": false
    }, 
    {
      "name": "ipv6",
      "limited": false,
      "reachable": true,
      "proxy": "",
      "proxy_randomize_credentials": false
    }, 
    {
      "name": "onion",
      "limited": false,
      "reachable": true,
      "proxy": "127.0.0.1:9150",
      "proxy_randomize_credentials": true
    }

I'm not sure how to interpret this. It seems Bitcoin is reachable over all three networks. Don't I want ipv4 and ipv6 to be

Code:

"reachable": false

in order to ensure it's going over Tor?

(in case others are interested there's a related thread here)

[achow101]

I'm not sure how to interpret this. It seems Bitcoin is reachable over all three networks.

Yes.

Don't I want ipv4 and ipv6 to be

Code:

"reachable": false

in order to ensure it's going over Tor?

No. When all three are true, it will be able to accept connections from ipv4, ipv6, and tor nodes. This means that it will still have connections over Tor. However, if you want it exclusively to operate over Tor, then you have to start it with this option:

Code:

-onlynet=onion

[51mqseq]

You da man/woman achow101:

Code:

"networks": [
    {
      "name": "ipv4",
      "limited": true,
      "reachable": false,
      "proxy": "",
      "proxy_randomize_credentials": false
    }, 
    {
      "name": "ipv6",
      "limited": true,
      "reachable": false,
      "proxy": "",
      "proxy_randomize_credentials": false
    }, 
    {
      "name": "onion",
      "limited": false,
      "reachable": true,
      "proxy": "127.0.0.1:9150",
      "proxy_randomize_credentials": true
    }

Thanks so much!