If you’re using a Raspberry Pi and need a WiFi USB adapter, it’s important to note that most 2.4 GHz adapters work “out of the box.” However, this is not necessarily the case with 5 GHz WiFi USB adapters. Therefore, this article provides insights into the compatibility of three 5 GHz WiFi USB adapters with Raspberry Pi. We’ll also discuss the availability of driver software and the performance of these adapters based on our long-term observation.

Remark: Since TorBox v.0.4.0, the additional needed network drivers have already been installed on the provided TorBox image. There is also the possibility of (re)installing the drivers using the Update and Maintenance sub-menu, which may be necessary with a Raspberry Pi 5.

We want to focus mainly on the nano-sized adapters because they usually have a lower power consumption. Nevertheless, as an alternative, we tested the AC1300 from TP-Link. It is a modern adapter that is relatively large and has two internal antennas. The tests were performed mainly on a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. The following adapters were (by chance) available for the test (more adapters may be tested on request – let me know):

• Netgear AC1200, nano-sized USB 2.0 adapter, which supports 802.11 b/g/n (2,4 GHz) and 802.11 a/n/ac (5 GHz)
• TP-Link Archer T2U Nano AC600, nano-sized USB 2.0 adapter, which supports 802.11 b/g/n (2,4 GHz) and 802.11 a/n/ac (5 GHz)
• TP-Link AC1300, USB 3.0 adapter, which supports 802.11 b/g/n (2,4 GHz) and 802.11 a/n/ac (5 GHz), with two antennas and multi-user MIMO technology

The Netgear AC1200

The Netgear AC1200 is not supported “out of the box” by the Raspberry Pi. To make it work, we need to install the Realtek RTL8812BU driver. The installation is straightforward:

# Updating the kernel headers and installing essential tools
sudo apt-get install -y raspberrypi-kernel-headers bc build-essential dkms
# Clone the driver to the Raspberry Pi
git clone https://github.com/morrownr/88x2bu-20210702.git
cd 88x2bu-20210702
# Install the driver
sudo ./install-driver.sh NoPrompt
# Revome the cloned repository
cd
sudo rm -r 88x2bu-20210702

After the driver’s installation and a reboot, the Netgear AC 12000 adapter is discovered by the Raspberry Pi and is ready to use. In the TorBox main menu, using entry 6, we get into Torbox’s Wireless Manager (TWM) and see all available 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. During our test, the adapter lost the connection to the Internet after a few hours. A possible root of the problem could be a too-high power consumption or a too-big accumulation at the USB interface or the adapter. It may be a combination of both factors because both the USB interface of the Raspberry Pi and the adapter are heated a lot during operation. Maybe because of that, we didn’t see any speed advantages: the network performance on the 5 GHz network was not higher than a simple 2,4 GHz USB WiFi adapter.

The TP-Link Archer T2U Nano AC600

Also, the TP-Link Archer T2U Nano AC600 does not work “out of the box”. To make it work, we need to install the Realtek RTL8812au driver. The installation is straight forward:

# Updating the kernel headers and installing essential tools
sudo apt-get install -y raspberrypi-kernel-headers bc build-essential dkms
# Clone the driver to the Raspberry Pi
git clone https://github.com/morrownr/8812au-20210820.git
cd 8812au-20210820
# Install the driver
sudo ./install-driver.sh NoPrompt
# Revome the cloned repository
cd
sudo rm -r 8812au-20210820

After successfully installing the driver and a reboot, the TP-Link Archer T2U Nano AC600 adapter is discovered by the Raspberry Pi and is ready to use. In contrast to the Netgear AC1200, the TP-Link Archer T2U Nano AC600 showed stable operation during the tests. The adapter did not lose connection to the network even during hours of operation. However, the heat development on the USB interface and the adapter was comparable to the Netgear AC1200. It seems that this is a general problem of nano-sized adapters, which have a lack of surface to dissipate heat. Again, no higher network performance than simple 2,4 GHz WiFi USB adapters could be observed.

The TP-Link Archer T4U AC1300

AC1200 (Realtek RTL8812BU), which can be installed as described above. After installing the driver, our surprise was enormous. The TP-Link Archer T4U AC1300 showed higher stability than the Netgear AC1200. The adapter showed stable operation during the tests – at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and even operated with battery power. It did not lose connection to the network even during hours of operation. As expected, connected with a 5GHz network, the TP-Link Archer T4U AC1300 shows a significantly higher network performance. Random influxes cannot be excluded, but when downloading the LibreOffice package, constant data rates could be detected, which were at least twice as high as with the other two adapters or with simple 2,4 GHz USB WiFi adapters. Possibly, the two available antennas with the multi-user MIMO technology will come into play here. Interestingly, the adapter only slightly warms itself and the USB interface, probably due to the significantly larger surface of the adapter and the ventilation holes.

Conclusion

In general, simple, low-powered USB WiFi adapters lead to fewer problems. 5 GHz WiFi USB adapters don’t work “out of the box” with a Raspberry Pi. Searching and installing the necessary network drivers can be challenging. Unfortunately, nano-sized adapters don’t deliver what they promise – it is more or less throwing money out of the window. In contrast, the excellent test results of the TP-Link Archer T4U AC1300 surprised us positively. The purchase of this adapter could be worthwhile because of the availability of the 5 GHz networks and because of the higher throughput due to the multi-user MIMO technology. The TP-Link Archer T2U AC600 also ran reliably, impressed with its stability. Although it opens up the world of 5 GHz networks, higher throughput rates are not to be expected with this adapter. In contrast, the Netgear AC1200 left somewhat mixed feelings. It also allows docking to 5 GHz networks without providing higher throughput rates. However, this adapter makes a much less stable impression in daily use. Regularly, after a few hours, it loses its connection to the network, which is unacceptable. The biggest problem with all these more complex adapters is that they are not supported out of the box by the Raspberry Pi OS.

Update in Spring 2024: I used the TP-Link Archer T4U AC1300 for the last 3,5 years on my TorBox, which I use for daily operations. It is still remarkable how reliable and fast this adapter is working. Although the adapter is still being sold, we will soon test two new WiFi 6 USB adapters.

For more up-to-date information on USB-WiFi under Linux see here.

With the Raspberry Pi 4, the USB Micro-B connector has been replaced by a USB-C connector for the power supply. This was also necessary because, so far, no other Raspberry Pi model has drawn that much power. USB-C supports an electrical supply of at least 20V / 3A / 60W up to a maximum of 20V / 5A / 100W. This would be enough for a Raspberry Pi 4 under full load and additional USB devices, even if the official Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply Unit (PSU) provides “only” 15.3W. In contrast, the sold USB Micro-B to USB-C adapter is not a long-lasting solution because the maximum power delivery of such an adapter is 12.5W. Especially in the beginning, when the Raspberry Pi 4 was new on the market, there were power supply problems if the official PSU of the Raspberry Pi Foundation was not used. 

Even if the overall power consumption of the Raspberry Pi 4 was significantly improved with the firmware updates in late autumn 2019, this has not been the only problem with the USB-C connector. Due to a faulty circuit, many existing USB-C power supplies and cables cannot power the Raspberry Pi 4. Only “dumb” cables without a SOP controller are working. 

Actually, the bug was fixed with board revision 1.2, which theoretically should be available in stores starting from the end of February. However, since this is not visible on the labeling, buying a Raspberry Pi 4 is like playing Russian Roulette. By looking at the packaging, the revision of the board inside is not recognizable. If the board finally ends up in your hands, you can tell by a transistor right next to the “MICRO” lettering of the MicroSD card slot that this is board revision 1.2 or not (see image on the right side). If the board is already in operation, there are several commands to check the board revision:

# Variant 1
cat /sys/firmware/devicetree/base/model

# Variant 2
cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep Model

We recommend running TorBox on a Raspberry Pi 3 (Model B / Model B+) or a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B under Raspberry Pi OS “Buster” Lite. However, we created a new installation script that installs TorBox on Ubuntu Server 20.04 LTS (32/64 bit) and, therefore, might run on other hardware platforms (this script is currently in an experimental state).

Please give us feedback if you are using other hardware than the Raspberry Pi and have tried this installation script under Ubuntu.

It is not surprising that technology is playing an essential role in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. However, this pandemic is the first of its kind to use modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for almost real-time responses. This can be seen, for example, with Nextstrain, where the geographic spread and mutation of the virus can be tracked by examining its genetic code. Sequencing is an important, fundamental technology here that makes a detailed understanding of the virus and insights into combating the pandemic possible. It has been possible to identify the nucleotide sequence of a DNA or RNA molecule since 1995. However, there has since been breathtaking progress that has revolutionized the biological sciences.

The progress of the past 25 years can be seen in the speed with which the coronavirus could be sequenced entirely. While the SARS (SARS-CoV) virus took about three months to sequence, the novel coronavirus was sequenced within a month, with the results published January 10, 2020, by Professor Zhang Yong-Zhen of the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. While globalization made it possible for the virus to spread worldwide quickly, global networking is helping to investigate the virus with its unique scope and nature. Specialized laboratories that have acquired the necessary molecules for a few thousand dollars can use the published genome sequence to assemble a copy of the virus, inject it into a cell, and activate it. Of course, there is also a certain risk associated with this ability, as was demonstrated 20 years ago when a deadly virus was produced from an emailed genome sequence. In order to prevent this technology from falling into the wrong hands and being used for the wrong purpose, orders placed in the United States for specific pieces of DNA are recorded in a database and are only delivered to authorized laboratories. Besides, the technological hurdles for the laboratories remain quite high (for now). The big advantage of this technology is that specialized laboratories around the world can research a virus without the need for a live sample from a contaminated area. Ralph S. Baric, a US coronavirus expert, sees this technology as the future of how the medical research community will respond to new viral threats. In 2008, his laboratory at the University of North Carolina had synthesized a coronavirus for study purposes that have been not existing in nature.

We are at the point where the best of the best can start to synthesize this new virus contemporaneously with the outbreak. But that is just a few labs. Fortunately, we are still far from the point when lots of people can synthesize anything.

Nicholas G. Evans, cited in Antonio Regalado, “Biologists Rush to Re-Create the China Coronavirus from Its DNA Code“, MIT Technology Review, 15.02.2020.

Technologies based on AI not only accelerate the sequencing and analysis of genomes but are also used to support diagnostics and research. Although the analysis of a nasopharyngeal swab is the most common method of a COVID-19 diagnosis, if there is a lack of test kits or if the patient population is very high, AI techniques can use CT scans of the lungs on a triage basis to identify those patients that are most likely to be infected. However, it is rather questionable whether this technique alone can also be used to diagnose an infection. Besides, the diagnosis of a nasopharyngeal swab is more reliable and cheaper if there are enough test kits. By contrast, the use of AI makes more sense when searching for and developing effective treatment and vaccination options. For example, Insilico Medicine used AI techniques to identify thousands of molecules for potential drugs in just four days and published the results on its website. Nevertheless, AI cannot solve every problem: before new treatment methods, or vaccination options can be used, they have to pass time-consuming clinical tests, which cannot be accelerated with modern technologies. It is, therefore, still unlikely that vaccination will be available on the market before the third quarter of 2021. An overview of all the currently researched treatment methods and vaccination options can be found here.

At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, there was not only a shortage of test kits in some countries, but with the high number of patients in intensive care units, there were also not enough valves and face masks needed to support the breathing of patients. There was also an inadequate supply of personal protective equipment for medical personnel. In part, such supply issues could be alleviated by using 3-D printers. For example, the Italian start-up Isinnova reverse-engineered a valve that is important for patient ventilation with the permission of its manufacturer Intersurgical, 3-D printed it, and made it available to hospitals in northern Italy. Isinnova has also manufactured a valve that can be used together with the Decathlon Easybreath snorkel mask as an oxygen mask in hospitals. The company Materialise, in turn, is offering a wide range of different products from its 3-D printers: face mask holders, face shield holders, respiratory masks, door openers, and shopping cart holders. In a comprehensive article that he is continuously updating, Michael Petch is tracking the wealth of 3-D printed products being created in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Networking plays a central role in all of these technological approaches. However, this networking can have negative consequences when the widespread fear and high demand for information are exploited. In the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe in particular, false information that spread via WhatsApp and Telegram encouraged panic buying. Since the retailers were unable to replenish their shelves quickly enough for logistical and personnel reasons, the gaps suggested a non-existent supply problem, which only exacerbated the hoarding.

In the area of cybercrime, attacks using phishing emails are increasingly being used. These emails usually pretend to contain important information or offer behind a link or a document that presents itself as time-sensitive, but then download malicious and spy software or steal data, as was the case with the two alleged emails from the German bank Sparkasse and the WHO. However, even the mere dissemination of false information can cause physical damage, as demonstrated, for example, by the probable 2,850 methanol poisonings and the resulting 480 deaths in Iran. In this case, it was claimed that drinking industrial alcohol would kill the virus. As another example, in the UK, 5G cell towers were set alight because conspiracy theories claimed that the coronavirus pandemic and 5G were related. Ransomware is a particular type of malware that encrypts the contents of data carriers and only decrypts them once a “ransom” has been paid. For example, ransomware for smartphones lurked in an alleged corona tracking app. Computers in hospitals and medical laboratories are also being targeted by ransomware. In mid-March, for example, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District in Illinois paid a $350,000 ransom to get its decrypted data.

The threats to society that arise from the expansion and increasing use of surveillance options are at a more strategic level. Already end of April, 23 countries had introduced digital contact tracing, and 43 apps existed worldwide that enabled contact tracing. However, not all of these apps are effective or secure. The apps, all of which only use GPS, fail to provide enough precision to prevent false reports. Ten countries have gone even further and have been using facial recognition cameras (in Russia, for example); others have been added heat sensors (for example, China and Singapore), surveillance drones (for example, Australia, China, and India), and networked video surveillance systems (for example, Singapore). Censorship measures have been tightened in at least twelve countries (for example, in China, Cambodia, and Singapore), and internet access has been restricted in at least four countries.

If data is to be recorded, collected, and evaluated using a contact tracing app, for example, to combat the coronavirus pandemic, certain basic conditions must be observed from an ethical perspective. Proportionality must be the first priority, i.e., data collection must be proportionate to the seriousness of the threat to public health or the restriction of public life. The consequences that the restrictive measures designed to contain the pandemic will have on other freedoms and the health consequences in the absence of such restrictive measures fundamentally affirm an ethically justifiable use of contact tracing apps. However, such apps, as well as the data collected and evaluated by them, must be restricted in such a way that they are used only for this one goal, i.e., to warn someone that has come into contact with a person diagnosed as infected. The app and data must not be misused for other purposes, lawful or otherwise, such as criminal investigations, anti-terrorism efforts, etc. In addition, there needs to be scientific proof that the solution delivers the intended added value, which is why contact tracing apps based exclusively on GPS are ethically questionable due to their inaccuracy. Besides, the data collected should be anonymized effectively and stored as decentrally as possible. Information on the recording, collection, and evaluation of data must be provided transparently; this also includes keeping the source code for such apps open. The purpose of the transfer of data to third parties must be clear to the data subjects, and they must be able to rescind permission to such data collection in the future. The use of such apps, as well as the provision of the data, must be voluntary and only for a limited time. When an effective vaccine becomes available, the data collection must be stopped, the app and existing data have to be deleted.

Our goal with TorBox is not only to simplify the use of Tor as an anonymizing router but also to bring the use of bridges closer to those who want to get around censorship easily — with all their network traffic, not just their browser traffic.

TorBox v.0.3.1 comes one step closer to this goal. Not only has the management of OBFS4 bridges been improved once again, but it’s also now possible to check the status of bridges (online, offline, or doesn’t exist anymore) and based on that to enable, disable and delete them. For operators of a bridge relay, the possibility to backup and restore the relay data has been implemented. Also, other smaller improvements and wishes have been taken into account, which are listed in detail below.

Since we also had to update the configuration files, we recommend using the new image rather than updating an existing system. We have added a short guide at the end of this post for those who absolutely must update from the previous version (not older!).

TorBox Image (about 675 MB): v.0.3.1 (30.05.2020) – SHA-256 values
TorBox Menu only: v.0.3.1 (30.05.2020) – SHA-256 values

We would appreciate feedback so that we can make further improvements. The three most valuable feedbacks will get a ProtonMail $100 Gift Card (sent as a PDF). Additionally, we have still one Raspberry Pi 3 Model B to give away — of course, installed with the latest TorBox version. If you are interested, just send us an email.

Changelog: v.0.3.0 (12.01.2020) –> v.0.3.1 (30.05.2020)

• Update: The system is based on Raspberry Pi OS “Buster” Lite with Linux Kernel 4.19.118 and Tor version 0.4.2.7.
• New: The list of OBFS4 bridges displays now the status of the bridge (online, offline, or doesn’t exist anymore – see image below). The bridge management is rewritten. You can now easily activate, deactivate, and remove bridges in three ways: all, based on a specific status of the bridge or only selected. For example, you could activate all bridges, deactivate only the offline ones, and remove bridge #3 and #5.
• New: The ability to backup and restore your bridge relay configuration, including your identity keys. This is important because when upgrading your bridge relay or moving it on a different computer, the important part is to keep the same identity keys. Keeping backups of the identity keys so you can restore a relay in the future is the recommended way to ensure the reputation of the relay won’t be wasted. The backup is stored / can be placed in the home directory, in which you can download / upload it with an SFTP client (using the same login / password as the SSH client).
• New: An arrow in the main menu indicates from where you get the Internet.
• New: USB Tethering with Android devices should now work (main menu entry 7). As I do not have an Android test device, this point needs to be tested further, and I rely on your feedback. I want to thank everyone who has been in active email correspondence with me on this point over the past weeks.
• New: Added “Just fixing and cleaning” into TorBox’s Update & Reset sub-menu.
• Improved: The countermeasure against a disconnect when idle feature (entry 10 in the Countermeasure sub-menu)shows now its status and can be deactivated.
• Improved: Before Tor is compiled  (option 3 in the Update & Reset sub-menu), the current version is checked, compared with the one in the repository, and the user can decide if he wants to aboard before wasting time if no new version is available. Important: Currently, Tor can be updated with option 1 “Update the base system” in the Update & Reset sub-menu (main menu entry 12), and it is not necessary to compile Tor fresh.
• Improved: The overall reliability of the update script.
• Improved: The overall reliability of the installation script. It is adapted to the new Raspberry Pi OS, and we hope that this is the beginning of a platform-independent use of TorBox .
• Improved: Cleaned up the code and outsourced more essential functions into a library. This helps to maintain the code in future releases properly.
• Fixed: After shutting down the Bridge Relay, the two ports remained open (at least in some instances).
• Fixed: If the Bridge Relay is deactivated and Tor is freshly started, the message appears that the ports are opened to the outside, even if this is not the case.
• Fixed: An error in changing the password of the Tor control port broke the enforcing of a new exit node with a new IP (main menu entry 2).
• Fixed (post-release): rfkill blocks the Raspberry Pi’s onboard WiFi chip and impossibles to create TorBox’s WiFi (it seems to be newly activated with Raspberry Pi OS) – we set rfkill unblock all in /etc/rc.local and had to rebuild the image again on Sunday, Mai 31, 2020 (we kept the same filenames).

How to update from TorBox v.0.3.0 (12.01.2020)?

Important: You cannot automatically update on TorBox installations, which are older then v.0.3.0 (12.01.2020)! If you need help, then please contact us.

With a TorBox v.0.3.0 (12.01.2020) installation, you can perform the following tasks. This deletes all your custom made configuration, but not alter your bridge relay keys. Nevertheless, we recommend, if possible, to use the new image.

• Go to the Update & Reset sub-menu (main menu entry 12).
• Select options 1, 4 and 6
• Restart TorBox

Your feedback is welcome!!

We hope this version pleases you. However, we are dependent on feedback. It’s not just about fixing bugs and improving usability, but also about supporting additional interfaces and hardware in future releases:

• What do you like?
• What should be improved (and how)?
• What would you like to see next? Which features do you request?

Hoek wrote on his website 0ut3r Space, a very nice guide / review about the TorBox. He used a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B in combination with a 3.5inch RPi Display (TFT) with an XPT2046 touch screen controller. Of course, the touch functionality won’t work in the shell terminal. The TFT and a beautiful matching case can be found on Aliexpress. I ordered it today to write a new guide for the advanced section because the Pimoroni’s Pibow PiTFT+ case for the PiTFT 3.5″ resistive touch 320×480 from Adafruit is is not available for the Raspberry Pi 4. Possibly we will implement the driver installation in a future version of TorBox in the configuration sub-menu.

Thank you, Hoek, for your kind review!

Updated on May 6th, 2020

• All comments and questions are now answered. Thanks for your patience.
• The documentation for TorBox v.0.3.0 is now revised, and the rest of the website is adapted to this latest version. Also, additional entries in the FAQ have been added, based on the questions received.
• Important: You can safely update TorBox v.0.3.0 (initially with Linux v.4.19.75 and Tor v.0.4.2.5 to Linux v.4.19.97 and Tor v.0.4.2.7) using the first entry “Update the base system” in the “Update and Reset sub-menu” (main menu entry 12). An update is recommended because Tor v.0.4.2.5 shouldn’t be used anymore. We are going to build a new image in the next weeks and TorBox v.0.3.1 is already in the making.

Original post:

Initially, it was planned to update the TorBox website according to the latest version of the TorBox by the end of April. Primarily the documentation is still focused on the older version. I also intended to add more fixes and even some newer features to the TorBox itself.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself In my professional job under enormous working pressure. So far, I haven’t even had time to answer all the comments and questions on the TorBox website and on GitHub, or the many email messages. Sorry, folks; I’m sure some users are already upset with me.

Since my holidays were canceled at the end of April, all projects related to TorBox — especially checking and fixing possible bugs, as well as updates to the operating system and core components — have been postponed to the end of July or beginning of August. However, if the work situation continues to calm down over the next few days, I’ll start answering the comments on the website and on GitHub as well as the emails addressed to me in the coming weeks.

I’m sorry for this inconvenience and hope to bring the TorBox project back up to date as soon as possible.

Update on January 13th, 2020

In the version dated January 1st, 2020, we had a little error in one of the script-files, which activated not only the obfs4 functionality but also uncommented “BridgeRelay 1” in /etc/tor/torrc. This led to conflict and blocked Tor to function. In a revised version, dated January 12th, 2020, we fixed this (and some other minor) bugs (see changelog below)

TorBox Image: v.0.3.0 (12.01.2020) – SHA-256 values
TorBox Menu only: v.0.3.0 (12.01.2020) – SHA-256 values

How to update from v.0.3.0 (01.01.2020) to v.0.3.0 (12.01.2020)?

Because we also switched curl for wget, the update from the previous version to version 0.3.0 (12.01.2020) cannot be done with the update sub-menu. Please proceed as follow (all settings remain unchanged):

1. If not already done, go into the countermeasure sub-menu and toggle bridge mode from on to off. This comments out the line “BridgeRelay 1” in /etc/torrc. With the command “less /etc/tor/torrc” in the SSH shell, /etc/tor/torrc can be checked: all lines beginning with “Bridge” must have a # in front.
2. Type following commands in the SSH shell:

   cd
   wget https://www.torbox.ch/data/torbox030-20200112.zip
   rm -r torbox    
   unzip torbox030-20200112.zip
   mv torbox030-20200112 torbox
   rm torbox030-20200112.zip
   cd torbox
   ./menu
   

Changelog: v.0.3.0 (01.01.2020) –> v.0.3.0 (12.01.2020)

• New: Added to the “install” folder script and batch files to avoid a “Tor over Tor” situation if TorBox and the Tor Browser are used together. For more information, see here.
• Fixed: Obfs4 functionality because it was broken due to a little error in one of the script-files. The bug resulted in uncommenting the line “BridgeRelay 1” in /etc/tor/torrc, which led to conflict and blocked Tor to function.
• Fixed: Replaced curl with wget in the update script to avoid an error if the link is redirected to another destination.

Original post:

Based on feedback, difficulties with the correct operation of cable-based clients, and the need to offer a greater variety of connection options when connecting to the internet (also for future developments), the main menu of the TorBox was rewritten entirely. We would appreciate feedback so that we can make further improvements and adjustments in the next release (planned for mid-2020).

The idea behind the new main menu is that the user only has to specify where the TorBox gets its internet from. After that, the clients are served via TorBox’s wireless network, and if connected, simultaneously via ethernet cable. Also, other smaller improvements and wishes have been taken into account, which are listed in detail below. These are the corresponding links to download and install the newest version of TorBox (typically, you need only the image file):

Since we also had to update the configuration files, we recommend using the new image rather than updating an existing system. If you need to update your old TorBox, we recommend to replace the old TorBox menu with the new one and then update the configuration files via the update and reset sub-menu entry 6, which overwrites all old configuration files. However, the old files are saved as .bak. For further information, please contact us.

We update the TorBox website over the next weeks. Until then, some information could be outdated and refer to the older version.

Changelog: v.0.2.5 (24.09.2019) –> v.0.3.0 (01.01.2020)

• Update: The system is based on Raspbian “Buster” lite with Linux Kernel 4.19.75 and Tor version 0.4.2.5.
• New: The main menu is completely rewritten. You only have to specify where the TorBox gets its internet from. By default, it establishes a wireless network, which can be accessed by client devices. If available and connected, client devices are served by ethernet cable.
• New: TorBox supports now internet connectivity with the Point-to-Point Protocol (ppp0, for example, for cellular shields/HATs) and/or over USB adapters (usb0).
• New: By default TorBox’s wireless network is established by the onboard chip (wlan0). This can be switched with a USB wireless adapter (wlan1) so that TorBox can access external hotspots on the 5 GHz band, which is probably not supported by a cheap low-powered USB wireless adapter.
• New: The TorBox configuration sub-menu supports now the changing from 2.5 GHz (20 MHz / 40 MHz) to 5 GHz (40 MHz / 80 MHz) and back. Additionally, the WLAN channel to be used can be selected and changed.
• New: We integrated an update sub-menu that also comprises all the reset features, which are now removed from the countermeasures sub-menu. 
• New: Support for Sixfab Cellular Shields/HATs. The following Sixfab Shields are supported: Raspberry Pi GSM/GPRS Shield, Raspberry Pi 3G-4G/LTE Base Shield V2, Raspberry Pi 3G/4G&LTE Base HAT, Raspberry Pi Cellular IoT Application Shield,  Raspberry Pi Cellular IoT HAT, Raspberry Pi Tracker HAT.
• New: Beginning with this release, we provide to all our files SHA-256 hashes, so that you can verify the integrity of the downloaded files.
• Improved: Cleaned up of the code. and outsourced essential functions into a library. This will help to maintain the code in future releases properly. 
• Improved:  Setting and changing the WLAN regulatory domain  is now more user-friendly.
• Improved: Because we could clean up the main menu, we added an entry to show the Tor log file. Sometimes, especially if you run a bridge relay, Tor needs minutes to start up. Using this menu entry is an easy way to follow the progress on loading.
• Fixed: The gpg key for Torproject’s Debian repository is now fetched more reliably (used in the update script), and additional post-update configurations will prevent the breaking of the bridge relay functionality.
• Experimental: A new script to install TorBox from scratch on a Raspberry Pi with Raspbian light.
• Removed: CABLE MODE– no longer necessary

Your feedback is welcome!!

We hope that this version will please you. However, we are dependent on feedback. It’s not just about fixing bugs and improving usability, but also about supporting additional interfaces and hardware in future releases:

• What do you like?
• What should be improved (and how)?
• What would you like to see next? Which features do you request?

TorBox doesn’t support only internet access and client connections via WiFi (an additional USB WiFi adapter is necessary) or cable, it also supports internet access via a cellular network. Below, we show you how you can upgrade your Raspberry Pi.

Used Items

• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with a Pimoroni’s chunky heatsink in combination with a Pibow Coupé 4 case. With that case, the Sixfab Shield/HAT can be easily attached/detached on/from the 40 GPIO pin.
• Sixfab Raspberry Pi 3G-4G/LTE Base Shield V2 — alternatively, there is a newer version of that Shield: the Sixfab Raspberry Pi 3G/4G<E Base HAT. According to the description, it has a better circuitry with the “HAT features” and includes programmable user LED and button. We will test it out in a few weeks and probably change our recommendation.
• Quectel EC25 Mini PCle 4G/LTE Module – This module supports GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/LTE. Attention: You have to choose the correct regional option! This module requires a micro SIM card without pin code (you can deactivate the pin code in a mobile phone).
• LTE Main & Diversity & GNSS Triple Port u.FL Antenna – 100mm – Attention: The Quectel EC25 Mini PCle 4G/LTE Module doesn’t work without an antenna. Alternatively, the LTE Main & Diversity Dual u.FL Antenna – 100mm should also work; however, we didn’t test it out.

Support software installation and configuration

1. Go to the Configuration & Update submenu and choose the menu entry 10 to start the installation and configuration of the support software.
   Attention: you have to have internet connectivity for that step. In other words: you have to install the support software before you need a cellular connection!
2. Choose the correct Sixfab Shiel/Hat.
   According to our recommendation above, it would be the “3G, 4G/LTE Base Shield”.
3. What is your carrier APN?
   You find the APN settings of most carriers here.
4. Does your carrier need username and password?
   Again, you find this information on most carriers here.
5. What is your device communication port?
   If you use the Sixfab Shield with the USB connector (as in our image above), you should choose ttyUSB3.
6. Do you want to activate auto connect / reconnect service at RPi boot up?
   We recommend choosing yes.
7. At the end of the installation script, pressing ENTER reboots the Raspberry Pi. If you want to avoid it, press CTRL-C.

How can I securely route my data stream through the cellular connection?
After assembling all the hardware, installing and configuring the support software correctly, choose entry 7 in the main menu to route all your encrypted data through the cellular connection.

Semper-Video hat in einem Video kurz die Installation und die ersten Schritte mit der TorBox unter Windows vorgestellt. Wir danken!

Due to the size of the Raspberry Pi and the necessary accessories, TorBox is very easy to use on the road. Below, we show you the recommended minimal accessories for portable use. Nevertheless, all the stuff still fits into a waterproof, compact plastic container. Below the images, you find further information about the items used with the corresponding links.

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Although the Raspberry Pi takes up little space, the problem lies in the fact that the official power adapters to the Raspberry Pi are not very compact and therefore waste valuable space. There are smaller power adapters, such as the 12W USB Power Adapter by Apple shown in our example, but when directly connected to the Raspberry Pi, they can cause power problems. This also applies to power banks: the power supply is usually not sufficient for a long stable operation of the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B was still satisfied with 12W, but Model B+ and the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B require at least 15W (see here: Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Review and Performance Comparison and this Power Consumption Benchmarks). There is also another problem with the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: because of a flaw in how the USB-C power input is behaving, currently, the Raspberry Pi 4 B does not work with most third-party power adapter and power banks. By contrast, the PiJuice HAT works reliably with almost all Raspberry Pi versions and models, and virtually any power adapter or power bank can be connected to it, so the somewhat weak standard battery doesn’t run out too quickly. With the PiJuice alone, TorBox can be operated for an estimated 1-2 hours, depending on the load.

Used Items

• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with a Pimoroni’s chunky heatsink in combination with a Pibow Coupé 4 case. With that case, the PiJuice HAT can be easily attached/detached on/from the 40 GPIO pin.
• 12W USB Power Adapter by Apple (until now, we didn’t found a smaller powerfull power adapter; however, we will test out the SlimQ). If you have additional space, I recommend to take an official power adapters to the Raspberry Pi with you.
• Ansmann Powerbank 5V / 10.8Ah mini black
• A low power consumption USB WiFi adapter
• Two USB Type A to Micro-A cable (depending of your need)
• SD cards and SD card adapter (depending of your need)
• The box shown in the image was purchased from Ikea (here and here).