How to Set Up SSH on Windows

Hello everyone! In this guide, I’ll show you how to set up an SSH tunnel on your computer.

What is SSH?

SSH (Secure Shell) is a standard protocol that encrypts data exchange between your computer and a server. Encryption protects your data from being viewed or modified by network operators. SSH can be used for a wide range of applications that require secure network connections, with the most common uses being secure server access and secure file transfers.

SSH is especially useful for bypassing internet censorship, as it provides an encrypted tunnel and works like a typical proxy client. Censors are unlikely to block SSH entirely because, in addition to bypassing censorship, it’s used for many other purposes. For example, network administrators use SSH to manage their servers over the internet.

What Do SSH Credentials Look Like?

When you purchase SSH access, you typically receive information in the following format:

• 167.435.134.141|admin|admin|Brazil|Rio Grande do Sul|Guaba

(IP address, login credentials, country, region, city)

Setting Up SSH on Windows

1. Download the necessary programs: Proxifier and Bitvise SSH Client (Tunnelier).
2. Open Proxifier. In the “File” menu, check the “Autostart” option. This ensures that Proxifier starts automatically when you boot your PC or virtual machine, so your traffic doesn’t go through your standard IP.
3. Configure the proxy server in Proxifier. Go to the “Profile” menu, select “Proxy Servers,” click “Add,” and fill in the following details:
   • Address: 127.0.0.1
   • Port: 1080 (the port can be changed, but it must match the port set in Bitvise)
   • SOCKS Version: 5

   Click “OK” to save.

4. Hide DNS requests. In the “Profile” menu, select “Name Resolution,” choose the settings as shown in the screenshot (if available), and save your changes.
5. Open Bitvise SSH Client. In the “Login” section, enter your SSH tunnel details (for example, 32.145.158.8;test;test):
   • Host: 32.145.158.8
   • Port: 22
   • Username: test
   • Initial method: password
   • Password: test
6. Set up proxy forwarding in Bitvise. Go to the “Services” tab, enable “SOCKS/HTTP Proxy Forwarding,” and enter:
   • Listen Interface: 127.0.0.1
   • Listen Port: 1080
7. Adjust options in Bitvise. In the “Options” tab, uncheck “Open Terminal” and “Open SFTP” to prevent extra windows from opening.
8. Click “Login.”
9. Open Tor Browser. Click the green onion icon in the top left corner, then select “Tor Network Settings.”
10. Configure Tor to use a local proxy. Check “This computer needs a local proxy to access the Internet.” Then select SOCKS5 and enter the same address and port as in Proxifier.
11. You’re all set! Enjoy your secure connection.