So, you're probably asking yourself "just where do I get this nifty tool?". Ah yes, well, it seems the author of this tool had the foresight to make sure he/she was truly anonymous. First you need to install the i2p software. But don't worry, its not spyware or some sinister plot to steal your money, its an open source project - which means you can check the source code yourself to see what it does and does not do.

Download the software

http://www.i2p.net/download (cache)

Configure your firewall

i2p requires that if you have a firewall (and who doesn't?) that you configure it to allow TCP traffic, on port 8887, in through your firewall to the host running the i2p software. It will not work correctly without you opening this port. So, double check your stand alone firewall, and if you're running a client firewall (such as the Windows XP built in firewall) make sure that is also configured to allow traffic in on TCP port 8887. You can also configure I2P to run on another port, but we suggest you stick with the default.

Install the software

Note: You must have Java installed on your system to run i2p. If you do not have Java installed, go to this URL and download a copy for your Operating System:

http://www.java.com

Once you have Java installed on your system, run this command from the directory with the i2p software:

java -jar i2pinstall.jar

OR

You can just double click on the i2pinstall.jar file if your system is setup to understand what a .jar file is (on Windows, this is almost always the case if you have Java installed.)

Start the services

Normally the install will startup the i2p services automatically, but in case they don't, or if you shut them down and want to start them up again, run these commands (from the directory you install i2p in):

./i2prouter start

Point your browser to this URL

http://localhost:7657/index.jsp

This is the i2p router interface, your gateway to the software, documentation, and lists of sites on the network. Before you can do anything, you need to "seed" your router. No worries, it very very simple to do, just look on the left hand side of the "Router Console" page and click the "reseed" link. It should change to "reseeding"

To start access sites via your browser, you need to take one more step.

Change your proxy

Change your browsers proxy to point to localhost port 4444. We also recommend you add "localhost" to your list of excluded sites, otherwise you won't be able to use the Router Console anymore (http://localhost:7657/index.jsp)

Wait for "seeding" to finish

And the last step, regretably, might take a few minutes, you simply have to wait for your i2p router to finish seeding. One it finishes, then you can access i2p websites (urls with the .i2p domain name extension - example www.foo.i2p).

Where to get i2p enabled bit torrent

Now that you have i2p working, you can download the i2p enabled bit torrent software. No, its not currently available on the "regular" Internet, unless someone decides to mirror it there. And hey, if you're so inclinded, so for it!

The link to the i2p enabled bit torrent software is:

http://duck.i2p/i2p-bt/ (You must be running i2p for this link to work!)

Some bit torrent websites on the I2P network

http://duck.i2p/bittorrent/ (You must be running i2p for this link to work!)

http://brittanyworld.i2p/bittorrent/ (You must be running i2p for this link to work!)

Closing thoughts

Its rumored the smart folks over at the TOR project (cache) may have their network at a point where it can support P2P protocols as well. Keep you posted as we find out more. And if you know about some other anonymous p2p app that everyone simply must know about, please post your comments!

Now the Krampus must get back to punishing bad boys and girls!

Update: We've added another document explaining how to use bit torrent anonymously with the EFF spondored TOR network (cache). Please check out the Anonymous Bittorrent with TOR wiki page for instructions!