mirror of
https://github.com/searxng/searxng.git
synced 2024-11-30 12:34:23 +00:00
80 lines
3.4 KiB
ReStructuredText
80 lines
3.4 KiB
ReStructuredText
===========================
|
|
Why use a private instance?
|
|
===========================
|
|
|
|
*"Is it worth to run my own instance?"*
|
|
|
|
\.\. is a common question among searx users. Before answering this question,
|
|
see what options a searx 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 searx 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 searx
|
|
protects its users.
|
|
|
|
How does searx protect privacy?
|
|
===============================
|
|
|
|
Searx 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 searx can be
|
|
configured to use proxy or Tor. `Result proxy
|
|
<https://github.com/asciimoo/morty>`__ is supported, too.
|
|
|
|
Searx 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 own instances, 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 searx 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 searx are available to users no matter what kind of instance they
|
|
use.
|
|
|
|
If someone is on the go or just wants to try searx 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.
|