"*I’d suggest this was armchair analysis by kids – it’s hard to take seriously.*" [t](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/19/cloudflare-accused-by-anonymous-helping-isis)
"*Watching hacker skids on Github squabble about trying to bypass Cloudflare's new anti-bot systems continues to be my daily amusement.* 🍿" [t](https://twitter.com/eastdakota/status/1273277839102656515)
- Whining on social media such as Facebook, Reddit, Twitter or Mastodon makes _no_ difference. [Actions are louder than hashtags](https://twitter.com/phyzonloop/status/1274132092490862594).
It must explain what the "_Cloudflare_" is, and ask for permission to share your(user) data with Cloudflare. Failure to do so will result in the breach of trust and the website in question should be avoided.
| [Detect Cloudflare](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/detect-cloudflare/) | Frank Otto | [Link](https://github.com/traktofon/cf-detect) | No | **Yes** | No |
| [True Sight](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/detect-cloudflare-plus/) | claustromaniac | [Link](https://github.com/claustromaniac/detect-cloudflare-plus) | No | **Yes** | No |
| [Which Cloudflare datacenter am I visiting?](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/cf-pop/) | 依云 | [Link](https://github.com/lilydjwg/cf-pop) | No | **Yes** | No |
- You can do better than that, *right*? Here's how to [remove Cloudflare subscriptions, plans, domains, or accounts](https://support.cloudflare.com/hc/en-us/articles/200167776-Removing-subscriptions-plans-domains-or-accounts).
- Hello, you wrote "[We take your privacy seriously](https://it.slashdot.org/story/19/02/19/0033255/stop-saying-we-take-your-privacy-and-security-seriously)" but I got "_Error 403 Forbidden Anonymous Proxy Not Allowed_". Why are you blocking Tor? Or VPN?
- Using Cloudflare will increase chances of an outage. Visitors can't access to your website if your server is down *or Cloudflare is down*. Did you really think [Cloudflare never go down](https://www.ibtimes.com/cloudflare-down-not-working-sites-producing-504-gateway-timeout-errors-2618008)? [Another](https://twitter.com/Jedduff/status/1097875615997399040) [sample](https://twitter.com/search?f=tweets&vertical=default&q=Cloudflare%20is%20having%20problems). [Need more](PEOPLE.md)?
- Using Cloudflare to proxy your "API service", "Client(software) [update server](https://forums.clamwin.com/viewtopic.php?t=4915)" or "RSS feed" will harm your customer. A customer called you and said "_I can't use your API anymore_", and you have no idea what is going on. Cloudflare can [silently block your customer](PEOPLE.md). [Do you think it is okay](https://twitter.com/Skyfusion89/status/1101596592426151937)?
- There are many RSS reader client and RSS reader online service. Why are you publishing RSS feed if you're not allowing people to subscribe?
- Do you need HTTPS certificate? Use "[Let's Encrypt](https://letsencrypt.org/)" or just buy it from CA company.
- Do you need [DNS server](https://twitter.com/IngeniousAppsIA/status/1187730384492077057)? Can't set up your own server? Then how about [1984 FreeDNS](https://www.1984hosting.com/), [Hurricane Electric Free DNS](https://dns.he.net/), [Dyn.com](https://dyn.com/dns/) or [this (warning: Admin delete your account if you use TOR)](https://freedns.afraid.org/)?
- Looking for hosting service? "Free" only? Well, how about [Onion Service](http://vww6ybal4bd7szmgncyruucpgfkqahzddi37ktceo3ah7ngmcopnpyyd.onion/en/security/network-security/tor/onionservices-best-practices), [Free Web Hosting Area](https://freewha.com/), [Autistici/Inventati Web Site Hosting](https://www.autinv5q6en4gpf4.onion/services/website), [Github Pages](https://pages.github.com/), [Surge](https://surge.sh/) or [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/webdev/comments/5m8tr4/how_do_i_host_the_website_i_just_built/dc1qpk7/)?
- If you want to know more alternative solutions, take a look at [this blog's "Alternative solutions" section](http://www.unixsheikh.com/articles/stay-away-from-cloudflare.html).
- Redirect or block "_Cloudflare Warp_" users from accessing your website. And provide a reason if you can.
> IP list is from "[Cloudflare’s current IP ranges](cloudflare_inc/)".
> Method A: Just block them
```
server {
...
deny 173.245.48.0/20;
deny 103.21.244.0/22;
deny 103.22.200.0/22;
deny 103.31.4.0/22;
deny 141.101.64.0/18;
deny 108.162.192.0/18;
deny 190.93.240.0/20;
deny 188.114.96.0/20;
deny 197.234.240.0/22;
deny 198.41.128.0/17;
deny 162.158.0.0/15;
deny 104.16.0.0/12;
deny 172.64.0.0/13;
deny 131.0.72.0/22;
deny 2400:cb00::/32;
deny 2606:4700::/32;
deny 2803:f800::/32;
deny 2405:b500::/32;
deny 2405:8100::/32;
deny 2a06:98c0::/29;
deny 2c0f:f248::/32;
...
}
```
> Method B: Redirect to warning page
```
http {
...
geo $iscf {
default 0;
173.245.48.0/20 1;
103.21.244.0/22 1;
103.22.200.0/22 1;
103.31.4.0/22 1;
141.101.64.0/18 1;
108.162.192.0/18 1;
190.93.240.0/20 1;
188.114.96.0/20 1;
197.234.240.0/22 1;
198.41.128.0/17 1;
162.158.0.0/15 1;
104.16.0.0/12 1;
172.64.0.0/13 1;
131.0.72.0/22 1;
2400:cb00::/32 1;
2606:4700::/32 1;
2803:f800::/32 1;
2405:b500::/32 1;
2405:8100::/32 1;
2a06:98c0::/29 1;
2c0f:f248::/32 1;
}
...
}
server {
...
if ($iscf) {rewrite ^ https://example.com/cfwsorry.php;}
...
}
<?php
header('HTTP/1.1 406 Not Acceptable');
echo <<<CLOUDFLARED
Thank you for visiting ourwebsite.com!<br/>
We are sorry, but we can't serve you because your connection is being intercepted by Cloudflare.<br/>
- Set up [Tor Onion Service](https://www.torproject.org/docs/onion-services.html.en) or I2P insite _if_ you believe in freedom and welcome anonymous users.
- Tor developers will thank you.
- Tor users will endorse your service! Pro-privacy!
- Ask for advice from other [Clearnet/Tor dual website operators](https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/wiki/org/projects/WeSupportTor) and make anonymous friends! :)
- Discord is using CloudFlare. Alternatives? We recommend [**Briar** (Android)](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.briarproject.briar.android/), [Ricochet (PC)](https://ricochet.im/), or [Tox over Tor Socks (Android/PC)](https://tox.chat/download.html).
- Briar includes Tor daemon so you don't have to install Orbot.
- If you use Debian GNU/Linux, or any derivative, subscribe to [bug #831835](https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=831835). And if you can, help verify the patch, and help the maintainer come to the right conclusion on whether it should be accepted.
- It may be possible to use "Tor Browser" without Tor:
> **How?**
> 1. Download [Tor Browser](https://www.torproject.org/) and launch it.
> 2. Open Add-ons Manager (about:addons) and *disable* EVERYTHING but "*Torbutton*". **Do NOT *remove* them**.
> 3. Open about:config and search "*extensions.torbutton.use_nontor_proxy*". Set it to "*true*".
> 4. Create new boolean "*extensions.torlauncher.start_tor*". Set it to "*false*".
> 5. Close Tor Browser.
>
> Other guide is [here](https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Tor_Browser_without_Tor#Disabling_Tor).
Let's talk about _other software's privacy_...
- **If you really need to use Firefox, pick "[Firefox ESR](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/)"**. ESR is developed for company and organizations, thus _some_ spyware code is disabled by default. Portable version is [here](https://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox-portable-esr). But we tell you, Firefox is [horrible for privacy](https://www.reddit.com/r/privacytoolsIO/comments/81om92/what_are_the_differences_between_privacytoolsio/dv4orve/) in [many ways](https://spyware.neocities.org/articles/firefox.html).
- ["100+ downvotes. It seems like asking a software company to stick to... software is just too much these days."](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/gutdiw/weve_got_work_to_do_the_mozilla_blog/fslbbb6/)
- Remember, Mozilla is [using Cloudflare service](https://www.robtex.com/dns-lookup/www.mozilla.org). They're also using [Cloudflare's DNS service on their product](https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/03/21/mozilla_testing_dns_encryption/) D'oh!
- Mozilla officially [rejected this ticket](https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1426618) and they [have](https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/9hh3gc/to_unsuspecting_admins_firefox_continues_to_send/) / [too](https://mashable.com/2017/12/16/mr-robot-looking-glass-mozilla-firefox-backlash/) / [many](https://ungleich.ch/en-us/cms/blog/2018/08/04/mozillas-new-dns-resolution-is-dangerous/) / [problems](https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2019/05/04/update-regarding-add-ons-in-firefox/comment-page-6/#comment-226187). Want more? [Mozilla - Devil Incarnate](https://digdeeper.neocities.org/ghost/mozilla.html).
- "Firefox Focus/Firefox Klar [is a joke](https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android/issues/1743). They promised to turn off telemetry but they [changed it](https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android/issues/4210).
- PaleMoon(Basilisk) developer [loves Cloudflare](https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android/issues/1743#issuecomment-345993097). Pale Moon's Archive Server [hacked and spread malware for 18 Months](https://www.reddit.com/r/privacytoolsIO/comments/cc808y/pale_moons_archive_server_hacked_and_spread/)!! He also hate Tor users - "[Let it be hostile towards Tor. I think most sites should be hostile towards Tor considering its extremely high abuse factor.](https://github.com/yacy/yacy_search_server/issues/314#issuecomment-565932097)". (abuse rate over Tor is NOT "extremely high". there's a study about it)
- Waterfox actively using [Cloudflare on their servers](https://www.digwebinterface.com/?hostnames=www.waterfoxproject.org&type=A&ns=resolver&useresolver=8.8.4.4&nameservers=) and their software have [severe "phones home" problem](https://spyware.neocities.org/articles/waterfox.html).
- Chrome is a [spyware](https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/malware-google.en.html). Google [profiles your activity](https://spyware.neocities.org/articles/chrome.html).
- SRWare Iron make too many [phones home connection](https://spyware.neocities.org/articles/iron.html). It also connect to google domains.
- Brave Browser [whitelist Facebook/Twitter trackers](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/facebook-twitter-trackers-whitelisted-by-brave-browser/). Here's [more issues](https://spyware.neocities.org/articles/brave.html). Brave is stealing donations in the name of other people [without their consent](https://digdeeper.neocities.org/ghost/browsers.html#brave).
- Don't use Firefox Nightly. It will send debug-level information to Mozilla servers without opt-out method. Mozilla servers are [behing Cloudflare](https://www.digwebinterface.com/?hostnames=www.mozilla.org%0D%0Amozilla.cloudflare-dns.com&type=&ns=resolver&useresolver=8.8.4.4&nameservers=).
- It is possible to prohibit Firefox to connect to Mozilla servers. Create a file "`/distribution/policies.json`". Mozilla's [policy-templates guide](https://github.com/mozilla/policy-templates/blob/master/README.md). Keep in mind this trick might stop working in later version because Mozilla likes to whitelist themselves. Use firewall and DNS filter to block them completely.
- ~~Report a bug on mozilla's tracker, telling them not to use Cloudflare/TRR.~~ There was a bug report on bugzilla. Many people were posted their concern, however the bug was hidden by the admin in 2018.
- To disable DoH, enter *about:config?filter=network.trr* in the address bar then set "*network.trr.mode*" to 5 to completely disable it. The value "5" [means "Off by choice"](https://gist.github.com/bagder/5e29101079e9ac78920ba2fc718aceec).
- You can use Tor as DNS resolver. If you're not Tor expert, [ask question here](https://tor.stackexchange.com/).
> **How?**
> 1. Download [Tor](https://www.torproject.org/) and install it on your computer.
> 2. Add this line to "torrc" file. [DNSPort description](https://www.torproject.org/docs/tor-manual.html.en).
> DNSPort 127.0.0.1:53
> 3. Restart Tor.
> 4. Set your computer's DNS server to "127.0.0.1".
</details>
------
<details>
<summary>_click me_
## Action
</summary>
- Tell others around you about the dangers of Cloudflare. But don't talk with NSA employee; you'll be _definitely_ [marked](https://news.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=15426596&cid=59534554)... just kidding!
- Help improve this repository, both the lists, the arguments against it and the details.
- Document and make very public where things go wrong with Cloudflare (and similar companies), making sure to mention this repository when you do so ;)
- Get more people using Tor by default so they can experience the web from the perspective of different parts of the world.
- Start groups, in social media and meatspace, dedicated to liberating the world from Cloudflare.
- Where appropriate, link to these groups on this repository - this can be a place for coordinating working together as groups.
- Start a coop that can provide a meaningful non corporate alternative to Cloudflare.
- Let us know of any alternatives to help at least provide multiple layered defence against Cloudflare.
- If you are a Cloudflare customer, set your privacy settings, and wait for them to violate them. Then bring them under [anti-spam / privacy violation charges](https://twitter.com/thexpaw/status/1108424723233419264).
- If you are in the **United States of America** and the website in question is a bank or an accountant, try to bring legal pressure under the [Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramm%E2%80%93Leach%E2%80%93Bliley_Act), or the [Americans with DIsabilities Act](https://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm) and report back to us how far you get.
- If the website is a government site, try to bring legal pressure under the [1st Amendment of the US Constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution).
- If you are EU citizen, contact the website to send your personal information under the [General Data Protection Regulation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation). If they refuse to give you your information, that's a violation of the law.
- For companies that claim to _offer service on their website_ try reporting them as "_false advertising_" to consumer protection organizations and BBB. Cloudflare websites are served by Cloudflare servers.
- The [ITU](https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/Workshops-and-Seminars/20181218/Documents/Geoff_Huston_Presentation.pdf) suggest in the US context that Cloudflare is starting to get big enough that antitrust law might be brought down upon them.
- It's conceivable that the GNU GPL v4 could include a provision against storing source code behind such a service, requiring for all GPLv4 and later programs that at least the source code is accessible via a medium that does not discriminate against tor users (or any other class of users or something?)
