PirateBox is an anonymous offline mobile file-sharing and communications system built with free software and inexpensive off-the-shelf hardware. You can use it to transform any space into a free and open offline communications and file sharing network.
Along with offline file sharing, media streaming, and community building, the PirateBox has been used by musicians to share their music at festivals and gigs, by teachers to distribute and collect digital materials from students, by emergency response workers and volunteers to publish local first aid information and community updates.
It has also been used by librarians and writers to collect, store, and distribute electronic texts, by conference organizers to distribute conference materials and to provide local wireless commenting during presentations.
PirateBox has also been used by coworkers collaborating on projects, and by CryptoParty workshop leaders to securely share cryptographic keys.
When users join the PirateBox wireless network and open a web browser, they are automatically redirected to the PirateBox welcome page. Users can anonymously chat, post images or comments on the bulletin board, watch or listen to streaming media, or upload and download files inside their web browser.
PirateBox 1.0 features include:
- Responsive web design for ease of use with phones and tablets;
- UPnP Media Server for local streaming of movies and songs;
- Image and Message Board for 4chan-like functionality;
- Chat room for anonymous communications;
- Browser-based file sharing system!
PirateBox is designed to be private and secure. No logins are required and no user data is logged. Users remain anonymous – the system is purposely not connected to the Internet in order to subvert tracking and preserve user privacy.
Where can I learn more?
The following instructions are for installing PirateBox 1.1 on a new TP-Link MR3040 which is running the factory installed firmware.
1. Wireless router TP-Link MR3040 V1 or V2
2. USB Flash Drive (formatted FAT32 with a single partition).
Note: A high Performance USB 2.0 flash drive is recommended, as a USB 3.0 drive may draw too much current, and a slower USB 2.0 drive may result in your PirateBox locking up during moderate-to-heavy or long-term use.
3. Ethernet cable (this may come with your wireless router)
4. Computer with ethernet port
Download the following two files to your computer:
a) A copy of install_piratebox.zip.
b) A customized copy of OpenWrt
(be sure to download the “*squashfs-factory.bin” file that corresponds with your specific device): http://stable.openwrt.piratebox.de/auto
Important: Be sure to use one of the OpenWrt images files linked above! They are customized to work together with the install_piratebox.zip. If you use a different image-file, you will not be able to use this automatic installation!
a) Extract the install_piratebox.zip file (double click on it) then drag the “install” folder over to your USB flash drive.
b) SAFELY REMOVE your USB drive from your computer, then plug the USB stick into your OpenWrt router.
a) Set the toggle switch located beside the LAN/WAN port on the router to 3G mode, if a such switch is available.
b) Connect the router via Ethernet cable to your computer then power up the router (Make sure the router is connected to a power supply during the programming process).
a) Once the router is running and you are connected to it via Ethernet cable, open a web browser and visit the following address:
MR3040: http://192.168.0.1
b) Enter the default username & password (admin & admin).
c) Navigate to System Tools > Firmware Upgrade then select the OpenWRT firmware file that you downloaded to your computer during the first step above.
d) Select upgrade.
e) After the upgrade completes, the router will restart.
Important: You should wait 15-20 minutes for the installation to complete (for slower USB flash drives, it may take up to 45 minutes - be patient!). Your device will reboot a couple of times during the installation. The device is finished with the installation when the LEDs stay (relatively) steady. If the lights are blinking on a regular frequency, then the installation is still running, after 45 minutes you should check out OpenWrt Troubleshooting.
Note: The Web Admin page for your router will “time out” during the installation process. This is normal and happens because the IP address for OpenWrt defaults to 192.168.1.1 which differs from the original Web Admin IP address for your router. Please do not try to visit 192.168.1.1 during the installation process as PirateBox is not shipped with a default Web Admin page and visiting this IP could interfere with the installation.
a) Once the installation is complete, open a terminal window (for OS X, go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal; for Windows, install and open PuTTY, make sure Telnet is selected for Connection Type), and telnet to the device:
telnet 192.168.1.1
b) You can now follow the Post-Installation instructions below to finish the installation.
Once you have installed or upgraded PirateBox, you can follow these final steps to set a password, activate the Kareha Image and Discussion Board and configure and start the UPnP media server.
a) If you're not already connected to your PirateBox, join the “PirateBox: Share freely” wireless network, open a terminal window (for OS X, go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal; for Windows, install and open PuTTY) and telnet into your PirateBox:
telnet 192.168.1.1
b) Run the following command to start the setup-menu
box_init_setup.sh
c) Create a password for the administrative root access. Choose “Option 1”, then enter your password twice. Notice: It is not shown while entering it. Write your password somewhere because you will not need it before several months (ie: PirateBox upgrade).
Note: Once you have created a password for your PirateBox, telnet will be disabled. This means that in the future you will need to use the following command to access your PirateBox from the terminal:
ssh root@192.168.1.1
d) Activate the “timesave function” by selecting “Option 2” and entering the current date and time.
a) To activate your imageboard, run the following command:
/opt/piratebox/bin/board-autoconf.sh
b) Enter your password, after you are prompted, then you are done.
a) Activate the UPnP Media Server by copying over the config file:
cp /opt/piratebox/src/openwrt.example.minidlna /mnt/ext/etc/config/minidlna
Note: Optionally, you can edit the config file (change the display name, etc) with:
vi /etc/config/minidlna
b) Start the UPnP Media Server with:
/etc/init.d/minidlna start
/etc/init.d/minidlna enable
Note: Any media files uploaded to your PirateBox will now automatically stream across your PirateBox wireless network. You will need a UPnP client in order to play these files. Check out our Streaming Media page for more info.
Your PirateBox 1.1 should be ready to use!