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author | Martin Fischer <martin@push-f.com> | 2022-01-31 14:49:40 +0100 |
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committer | Markus Heiser <markus.heiser@darmarit.de> | 2022-03-07 08:29:00 +0100 |
commit | bb71ebc3945b8e345bebe45a7d393afba6366ab9 (patch) | |
tree | 610b9aa27b14f9ddf90eee0b8c8340d92316c8c6 /docs/user | |
parent | 579334a7d806a8d8edc1f3a51399c05636354759 (diff) | |
download | searxng-bb71ebc3945b8e345bebe45a7d393afba6366ab9.tar.gz searxng-bb71ebc3945b8e345bebe45a7d393afba6366ab9.zip |
[docs] move own-instance.rst out of docs/user
Diffstat (limited to 'docs/user')
-rw-r--r-- | docs/user/index.rst | 1 | ||||
-rw-r--r-- | docs/user/own-instance.rst | 79 |
2 files changed, 0 insertions, 80 deletions
diff --git a/docs/user/index.rst b/docs/user/index.rst index 96d11bf8a..0cdb7310c 100644 --- a/docs/user/index.rst +++ b/docs/user/index.rst @@ -7,4 +7,3 @@ User documentation :caption: Contents search_syntax - own-instance diff --git a/docs/user/own-instance.rst b/docs/user/own-instance.rst deleted file mode 100644 index c53f28307..000000000 --- a/docs/user/own-instance.rst +++ /dev/null @@ -1,79 +0,0 @@ -=========================== -Why use a private instance? -=========================== - - *"Is it worth to run my own instance?"* - -\.\. is a common question among SearXNG users. Before answering this question, -see what options a SearXNG user has. - -Public instances are open to everyone who has access to its URL. Usually, these -are operated by unknown parties (from the users' point of view). Private -instances can be used by a select group of people. It is for example a SearXNG of -group of friends or a company which can be accessed through VPN. Also it can be -single user one which runs on the user's laptop. - -To gain more insight on how these instances work let's dive into how SearXNG -protects its users. - -How does SearXNG protect privacy? -================================= - -SearXNG protects the privacy of its users in multiple ways regardless of the type -of the instance (private, public). Removal of private data from search requests -comes in three forms: - - 1. removal of private data from requests going to search services - 2. not forwarding anything from a third party services through search services - (e.g. advertisement) - 3. removal of private data from requests going to the result pages - -Removing private data means not sending cookies to external search engines and -generating a random browser profile for every request. Thus, it does not matter -if a public or private instance handles the request, because it is anonymized in -both cases. IP addresses will be the IP of the instance. But SearXNG can be -configured to use proxy or Tor. `Result proxy -<https://github.com/asciimoo/morty>`__ is supported, too. - -SearXNG does not serve ads or tracking content unlike most search services. So -private data is not forwarded to third parties who might monetize it. Besides -protecting users from search services, both referring page and search query are -hidden from visited result pages. - - -What are the consequences of using public instances? ----------------------------------------------------- - -If someone uses a public instance, they have to trust the administrator of that -instance. This means that the user of the public instance does not know whether -their requests are logged, aggregated and sent or sold to a third party. - -Also, public instances without proper protection are more vulnerable to abusing -the search service, In this case the external service in exchange returns -CAPTCHAs or bans the IP of the instance. Thus, search requests return less -results. - -I see. What about private instances? ------------------------------------- - -If users run their :ref:`own instances <installation>`, everything is in their -control: the source code, logging settings and private data. Unknown instance -administrators do not have to be trusted. - -Furthermore, as the default settings of their instance is editable, there is no -need to use cookies to tailor SearXNG to their needs. So preferences will not be -reset to defaults when clearing browser cookies. As settings are stored on -their computer, it will not be accessible to others as long as their computer is -not compromised. - -Conclusion -========== - -Always use an instance which is operated by people you trust. The privacy -features of SearXNG are available to users no matter what kind of instance they -use. - -If someone is on the go or just wants to try SearXNG for the first time public -instances are the best choices. Additionally, public instance are making a -world a better place, because those who cannot or do not want to run an -instance, have access to a privacy respecting search service. |