Shadowsocks is a lightweight and secure proxy tool designed to protect your internet privacy while bypassing censorship. Unlike traditional VPNs, Shadowsocks operates as a SOCKS5 proxy, making it faster and harder to detect. Here’s how to set it up on your VPS to secure your connection.

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Why Use Shadowsocks on Your VPS?

• Lightweight: Minimal resource usage compared to full-fledged VPNs.
• Faster Connections: Optimized for speed with fewer overheads.
• Circumvents Censorship: Effective against DPI (Deep Packet Inspection).
• Secure: Uses robust encryption methods to protect your data.

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Prerequisites

1. VPS: A Linux-based VPS (Ubuntu/Debian/CentOS recommended).
2. Root Access: Required to install and configure software.
3. Domain or Public IP: To connect to your VPS.

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Step 1: Update Your VPS

Ensure your VPS is up to date to avoid compatibility issues:

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Step 2: Install Shadowsocks

You can install Shadowsocks using a pre-built package or set it up manually.

Option 1: Install via Package Manager

On Ubuntu/Debian:

On CentOS:

Option 2: Install via pip (Python-based Shadowsocks)

Install Python and pip:

Install Shadowsocks:

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Step 3: Configure Shadowsocks

Create a configuration file:

Add the following configuration:

• server: Set to 0.0.0.0 to allow external connections.
• server_port: Port for Shadowsocks to listen on (e.g., 8388).
• password: A strong password to secure your connection.
• method: Encryption method (e.g., aes-256-gcm is highly recommended).

Save and exit the file (CTRL + X, then Y, then ENTER).

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Step 4: Start Shadowsocks

Run Shadowsocks using the configuration file:

To enable it on system boot, use:

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Step 5: Configure Firewall

Ensure the port you specified (e.g., 8388) is open:

For ufw (Ubuntu/Debian):

For firewalld (CentOS):

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Step 6: Connect to Shadowsocks

Download a Shadowsocks client for your device:

• Windows: Shadowsocks-Windows
• Mac: ShadowsocksX-NG
• Android: Shadowsocks (available on F-Droid or Google Play)
• iOS: Potatso Lite (from the App Store)

Client Configuration

1. Open the client and create a new connection.
2. Enter your VPS details:
   • Server IP: Your VPS’s IP address.
   • Server Port: The port specified in the configuration (8388).
   • Password: The same password in the configuration file.
   • Encryption Method: Match the method (e.g., aes-256-gcm).
3. Save the configuration and connect.

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Optional Enhancements

1. Enable Obfuscation: Use plugins like v2ray-plugin to make Shadowsocks harder to detect.
   • Install the plugin:
      

     sudo apt install shadowsocks-v2ray-plugin
   • Modify the config to include:
     json

      

     "plugin": "v2ray-plugin", "plugin_opts": "obfs=tls;obfs-host=www.example.com"
2. Add a Domain: Use a domain name instead of an IP for better usability.
3. Enable Logging: Track usage or debug issues by enabling logs in your configuration.

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Step 7: Verify Your Connection

Check your IP address after connecting to ensure traffic is routed through the VPS:

• Visit https://whatismyipaddress.com/.
• Verify the IP matches your VPS’s IP.

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Conclusion

With Shadowsocks, you now have a secure and private connection tailored to your needs. Whether you’re bypassing censorship or securing your internet traffic, Shadowsocks offers a lightweight and effective solution for your VPS. For enhanced privacy, consider pairing it with additional tools like DNS encryption or a CDN.