Hello, I need to run Firefox from a portable USB drive. I want ALL the Firefox data/user data/app data/EVERYTHING be on the USB key and run from the USB key.
I want Firefox to leave NO TRACES AT ALL on the computer I use it on, meaning no hidden folders left, no cookies/cache left on the computer: I want everything stored and saved on the USB key. Cookies/Temporary internet files/cache - all has to be on the USB key, and when I choose "Clear Private Data" I want these files to be cleared from the USB KEY.
I'd also like to be able to have add-ons added to the Firefox on the USB key, and the ability to enable/disable these. Again, please no files created on the computer - everything has to run from the USB FLASH.
So can someone please give me a step by step guide to doing this in the RIGHT way (that doesn't compromise surfing security)?
Can anyone also tell me how I can add TORBUTTON ADDON to firefox and have THAT run from the USB key as well? (maybe there even is a way to run the entire vidalia bundle/Tor/Privoxy from the USB flash drive altogether? - Nevertheless, this is not necessary for me - If just TORBUTTON add-on can run together with firefox from the USB DRIVE then I can install Vidalia/TOR/PRIVOXY on the computer itself..
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It already does run entirely from the flash drive. That's the point of a portable app. The Firefox profile (bookmarks, cookies, etc) is entirely self contained in X:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortable\Data\profile and never placed on the local PC.
But EVERY piece of software you run on ANY PC will leave traces. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying/trying to sell you something. Our apps and platform leave less of a trace than Ceedo, U3, etc.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
What do you mean "EVERY piece of software you run on ANY PC will leave traces" - what traces does Portable Firefox leave specifically. If I use Portable Firefox, take my USB key away, how can the next person sitting down at the computer possibly see what I've been visiting/apps Ive been using. Yes I understand that if he has a view of the INTERNET CONNECTION he might be able to see it - but we are talking JUST about the computer - what traces, on the local HDD, is left from Portable Firefox?
Most recently used lists. Multiple areas of the registry. Windows XP and up's prefetch files. Etc. Some of these entries are created while you are logged in as a guest/limited user (as you are on most university, office, library, net cafe, etc systems) but can only be removed by a user with administrative rights.
It doesn't track your sites, etc at the PC level. But, of course, the network admin can see all of that.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
"It doesn't track your sites, etc at the PC level. But, of course, the network admin can see all of that."
- That's where Tor comes in I guess?
They can tell that you're running TOR on the network. And, if you're using that somewhere you're not supposed to (say work or school where it isn't permitted), it can get you fired or banned from the network.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
is to run a live Linux distro, because it doesn't even touch the hard drive. If you can boot the distro from a flash or CD, then the entire thing runs up in RAM.
I typically have played with Knoppix, but I hear that Puppy Linux allows you to write back settings and data to the boot medium.
What I haven't tried is to run Knoppix from a bootable CD, and then configure the Firefox in the distro to store its settings on a flash drive. You'd have to do the redirect every time.
Now, I've seen on this site some people talking about Portable Apps for Linux (that is, applications designed to work on Linux). If we had that, then the Knoppix CD/PA Flash Drive combo would be ideal.
Hmmm... OK, you could boot to a Linux CD, and then run your standard PA Flash Drive right now, if you run the apps under WINE. That's possible now!
EDIT:
Here's a link to create a bootable Knoppix flash drive that can save settings:
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Bootable_USB_Key
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