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Advice needed: Censorship resistance toolkit for non-technical users
Hi everyone,
I’m working on an explanatory video designed to help the general public prepare for potential internet censorship. The goal is to provide a "survival guide" that is accessible to the average person but still technically effective.
I plan to cover VPN usage heavily and am currently leaning toward recommending the Shadowsocks protocol. Do you think this is the right balance of accessibility and security for this audience?
Note that i will absolutely avoid kape technology and other big names as i do not trust them one second against a government level censorship.
I’m looking for your recommendations o what other tools or advice you would prioritize for a "zero-knowledge" user.
Any input on keeping this user-friendly without compromising on utility would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Comments
https://github.com/MHSanaei/3x-ui
Shadowsocks over https:
https://github.com/HirbodBehnam/Shadowsocks-Cloak-Installer
One click installation. Shadowrocket app on IOS support cloak plugin.
Studying this atm, thanks a lot !
checking it now, thanks
You
Need to reset panel settings after installation and hide it on localhost, access by ssh tunnel only (find that in settings x-ui command)
noted on that, definitely useful, thanks !
https://amnezia.org/
https://storage.googleapis.com/amnezia/amnezia.org
I would recommend Xray and AmneziaWG over 443. The desktop app can setup the server automatically using docker
Try to look into Remnawave project (https://docs.rw/). It supports all major protocols: VLESS, Trojan, Shadowsocks.
And it is popular in Russia and helping in fight with censorship.
Thanks ! Will look into it
I am checking it now ! thanks !
Nice Try Mácron!
Out of everything I tested, AmneziaWG performs best and is easy enough to set up.
You can also buy a router that supports OpenWrt and set up the VPN directly on it. This is the most convenient solution.
Russia appears to be heading toward a whitelist-based internet model. They’re already blocking whole IP ranges belonging to hosting providers.
Man you would have called me a d*** or a coward or anything i wouldnt care, but calling me Macron is giving me cancer.
YES i was actually considering recommending buying a specialized router that can actually be plug and play almost.
But i bought one like 3 months ago and for recent protocol honestly it wasn't good, i had to tweak it myself. Do you think or have names of brands that would support the VLESS Trojan or Shadow protocol ? (no worries i will google it, just wondering if you have insights)
We all know the Chinese and Russian internet will be separated of the rest of the world soon enough (if not already) the question is, will france do that (surely not, surely something "europeshit" and if so what can we do (that's not a retorical question, what can we do, for real
if you in China use CDN like Cloudflare/Gcore/AWS or any other to hide your VPS ip, if you in EU, all protocols should work, Vless protocol itself will not help you bypass strict restictions(just use Vless reality if you don't have a clue what you are doing, but i think it's too old way using it)
there are many ways to make it ultra stealth, but i'm not going to post it here, even with 3x-ui Panel also,
even in China TOR is working, you may request special webtunnel bridges, half China is using vpn, there are too many ways to bypass country restrictions, there are also VPS providers who provide Vless protocol proxy servers.
don't be paranoid about that, when you get restricted and can't bypass it, contact me directly, I'll show you how to bypass anything, anywhere. (only if you need privacy and freedom, if you do any bad activities or not legal one, i will never help such person.)
read Amnezia privacy policy, if you abuse their app, they will share all info with police, open source apps like that should have one Privacy Policy: No logs, No data collection, end.
https://amnezia.org/policy
they also changed their privacy policy, before they mention that they collect much data and share it with 3d parties, now they claim they don't share, bullshit and lie.
Privacy and Acceptable Use Policy
Effective Date: 30.01.2026
At Amnezia, we prioritize the privacy and security of your data above all else. We strive to collect the minimum amount of personal data and remain transparent about what data we collect and why. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect your information, and it complies with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Amnezia provides functionality for creating a VPN on your own server, as well as ready-made VPN services available in the AmneziaVPN application.
1.1 Self-Hosted VPN Setup
A user can set up their own VPN server by entering server access details (IP, login, password/key) into the AmneziaVPN client. We do not collect, store, or transmit these details—they remain only on the user’s device.
1.2 Amnezia Free
A user can obtain a VPN configuration (key) in two ways:
Via the Telegram bot – when using the bot, we only collect the user’s Telegram ID for identification;
Via the AmneziaVPN application.
When connecting to AmneziaFree, we collect:
The application version and operating system (for internal statistics);
A device ID (to link keys to the device and enable their recovery);
When connecting to AmneziaFree, we also process IP addresses. This is necessary solely to determine the regions where blocking occurs and to ensure correct server operation. The IP is not stored or used for identification.
If a user engages in actions that harm the service (for example, spam, DDoS), Amnezia may temporarily store the IP address to prevent abuse and protect the infrastructure.
1.3 Amnezia Premium
When purchasing a subscription through https://pay.amnezia.org, we collect only the user's email address. The user's IP address may be transmitted to the payment gateway by the https://pay.amnezia.org site when necessary, but it is not stored. After connecting to Amnezia Premium through the application, we collect:
The application version and operating system (for internal analytics);
A device ID (to link keys to the device);
Users' IP addresses are not collected or stored. The exception is temporary logging in cases of violations that harm the service, using servers for spam distribution, DDoS attacks, or traffic abuse.
1.4 Amnezia Affiliate (Partner and Referral Program)
Under our affiliate program, we collect:
An email (user identifier);
A cryptocurrency wallet (for commission payouts);
1.5 Websites (amnezia.org, docs.amnezia.org)
On the amnezia.org website, we use:
Language cookies;
Anonymized statistical data (visits, referral sources, downloads, user regions, and devices);
These data are collected via self-hosted Matomo, Plausible and Cloudflare Insights. The data are anonymized and cannot be used to identify the user. When submitting the form at https://amnezia.org/business, we collect:
Email;
Company name;
Number of employees;
These data are processed through the Web3Forms service. For more details, see their privacy policy. On the docs.amnezia.org website, only a cookie for the interface language is used.
What Data We Collect and Why
2.1 Data Provided by the User
Email – for communication, subscription, or affiliate payouts;
Company name and number of employees – when filling out the business form;
Cryptocurrency wallet – for affiliate payouts;
2.2 Data Collected Automatically
Telegram ID – for issuing AmneziaFree configurations;
Device ID and operating system – for key functionality and internal statistics;
Application version – for compatibility and improvements;
IP address – processed temporarily:
For analyzing blockages (AmneziaFree);
For preventing violations (in cases of abuse and for protecting Amnezia’s infrastructure and services);
2.3 What Data We Do Not Collect
We do not collect or store information about VPN usage (traffic, visited websites, etc.). We do not receive data from third-party authorizations (Google and others) as we do not use such login methods.
How We Use Data
We use data solely for:
Providing access to our services;
Maintaining and improving service stability;
Communicating with users at their request;
Processing payments and payouts;
Preventing abuse and attacks;
Analyzing anonymized statistics to improve the product;
Sending offers and product news (you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the email or by contacting us).
VPN traffic and activity are not used for analytics or advertising.
VPN traffic and activity are not used for analytics or advertising.
We do not transfer your data to third parties, except in the following cases:
data submitted through the business form at https://amnezia.org/business are transferred to the Web3Forms service (see their privacy policy);
data provided through the https://pay.amnezia.org may be transmitted directly to payment providers during checkout (such as the user’s email address and IP address, where required by the payment processor);
authorized government authorities only upon a valid, official, and lawful request, and only to the extent required by applicable law.
No other data is transferred to third parties.
We use cookies only for the proper functioning of the websites:
Language settings (cookies);
Anonymized analytics via Plausible (self-hosted) and Cloudflare Insights;
Only aggregated statistical data are collected. We do not track users’ personal activities. You can disable cookies in your browser settings—this will not affect access to the functionality.
Security
We employ modern technical, organizational, and physical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, alteration, or loss of data. Regular checks and audits ensure a high level of security.
International Data Transfer
Sometimes data may be transferred outside the EEA. In such cases, we:
Use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) approved by the European Commission;
Employ data minimization, encryption, and anonymization;
You can contact us for more details.
Data Retention
We store data only as long as it is necessary to provide our services or as required by law. After that, the data are deleted or anonymized.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Access your data;
Correct or delete your data;
Withdraw your consent;
Restrict or object to processing;
File a complaint with a supervisory authority;
To exercise your rights, email us at [email protected].
Children
Our services are not intended for individuals under 16 years of age. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal data, we will delete them immediately. Parents or guardians can contact us directly.
Limitation of Liability
Our services are provided “as is” and “as available.” We make no express or implied warranties regarding uninterrupted operation, speed, security, or fitness for any particular purpose. Amnezia is not liable for:
any indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit or data;
service disruptions caused by external factors, technical limitations, or actions of third parties;
consequences arising from the use of the service for purposes that violate applicable law.
To the extent permitted by law, our liability is limited to the minimum extent required by applicable legislation. Nothing in this Policy excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law (for example, in cases of intent or gross negligence).
11.1 Acceptable Use
Users agree to use the VPN service only for lawful purposes and not to engage in:
illegal activities (such as hacking, malware distribution, or fraud);
sending spam, phishing, or deceptive messages;
distributing, storing, or transmitting prohibited content (including content that infringes copyrights);
attacks on networks or services of third parties (such as DDoS);
actions that harm other users, our infrastructure, or our partners.
We do not keep activity logs, monitor, or record user traffic. However, if we receive credible abuse notifications (for example, from hosting providers, network operators, or copyright holders), we may take necessary measures to protect our infrastructure and comply with legal requirements.
11.2 Content and Third-Party Resources
Amnezia is not responsible for materials posted or transmitted by users or third parties through our services. We do not continuously monitor or control such content but may take action where required or permitted by law. Amnezia is also not responsible for the content of third-party websites linked from our resources; such links are provided solely for user convenience.
This Policy may be updated from time to time. All changes will be posted on this page with a new effective date.
I picked up a Xiaomi AX3000T for $25, flashed OpenWrt on it, and set up VLESS with split tunneling. Its Wi-Fi range is surprisingly good — better than routers that cost several times more.
Just note that OpenWrt works only on the MediaTek versions; you can’t install it on the Qualcomm models.
https://openwrt.org/toh/start
You can find a full list of OpenWrt-supported routers on the project’s website, and the list is constantly updated with new models.
I’d recommend choosing one with a USB port — it’s an easy and cheap way to build your own little NAS.
For Wi-Fi-only use, there’s the Cudy TR30 for about $30–40. You might want to read some reviews about it.
I was referring specifically to a self-hosted solution
it was before they started offering Amnezia Free, at that time only self hosted solution was available, but their privacy policy was saying that they are collecting and share data with 3d parties, i keep an eye on this project long time ago, never trusted it completely,
up to you about everything else, i just share what i saw at their privacy policy even before they lunch Amnezia Free/Pro service.
I agree that WireGuard is generally preferable, but in some countries ISPs block this protocol.
In Europe and the US, there is little to no internet censorship, and most blocks are relatively easy to work around.
I used to live in china for years, and indeed i know the struggle of VPN. I noted your offer to PM and will definitely contact you if needed, thanks friend!
Regarding unethical activities, i have the luck to be born without the need to practice it, so be reassured, my purpose is really to help others, nothing more, nothing less.
That's actually useful, thanks
THAT IS GOLD with permission i might come back to you on that, as always, thanks a lot !
They are targeting this now, we are aiming there slowly. Look Britain, Spain, and now France.
As said Pavlov, we are not in free countries, let's not be blind
@Guru555 +1 on AmneziaWG. Few extras for the video angle:
For server side, the official Amnezia desktop app needs to run on your machine to remote-install onto the VPS over SSH. If you want a pure headless path (or want to read the code before running it), I maintain a bash installer at https://github.com/bivlked/amneziawg-installer — one command on a clean Ubuntu/Debian VPS, builds the kernel module via DKMS, generates client configs as .conf and QR. Same protocol as the desktop-app install, just no GUI middleman.
For the "non-technical user with home VPN box" framing: it also runs on ARM with prebuilt kernel modules — Raspberry Pi 4/5, Oracle Cloud Always Free Ampere (basically $0/month VPN), or Hetzner CAX. Combined with a $25 OpenWrt router as @Guru555 mentioned, you get a fully self-hosted setup that survives reboots and updates without manual intervention.
It's MIT-licensed and runs entirely on your box (no phone-home, nothing to opt out of). AWG 2.0 protocol works on Russian mobile ISPs in 2026 where stock WireGuard is dropped within seconds.
(Disclosure: I maintain the project.)