Exit Relay Guidelines

A guide on setting up, securing, and maintaining an Exit Relay in the Anyone Network. It covers best practices for configuration, security, and compliance to ensure safe and efficient operation.

This guide focuses specifically on running an exit relay, with focus on strengthening decentralization and making sure the network remains resilient and widely distributed. If you’re considering running an exit relay, this document will help you understand what to expect, as well as the steps needed to set up, maintain, and manage your node.

However, some parts of this guide, such as the sections on Security and Encryption, can also be useful when operating a relay in the Guard or Entry roles.

Read the Relay Operator Standards to learn more about what is expected of you as an Anyone Relay Operator.

Note: This document offers general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Legal landscapes differ by jurisdiction, so consult with a legal expert experienced in internet privacy laws before operating an exit relay.

Operating an Exit Relay

Operating an exit relay for the Anyone Network is a vital responsibility, supporting the global effort to provide anonymity and privacy to users. As the final hop where traffic exits the encrypted network and enters the open internet, exit relays come with significant responsibilities. Operators must be mindful of the technical requirements, potential legal challenges, and the broader implications of running an exit relay.

The Role of an Exit Relay in the Anyone Network

Exit relays are the last point where encrypted traffic leaves the Anyone Network and reaches the public internet. The IP address of the exit relay is visible to the destination site, ensuring the original user's IP remains hidden, thus enhancing user anonymity. A decentralized network of exit relays, spread across diverse geographic regions and legal jurisdictions, is crucial for the network's resilience. This decentralization minimizes the risk of a single entity controlling a significant portion of the network, protecting it from censorship and surveillance while maintaining operational robustness.

Hosting Considerations for an Exit Relay

Running a successful exit relay requires careful hosting choices. These considerations will help optimize your exit relay's performance and contribute to the network's robustness.

Choose a Relay-Friendly ISP; Not all ISPs are ideal for exit relays. Find one that understands and supports the Anyone Protocol. Communicate clearly about exit traffic functions. Look for ISPs offering dedicated IP ranges and high bandwidth. Confirm they are comfortable with the legal responsibilities and request IP range reassignment for easier complaint management. Check out the 'VPS Relays - Hosting/Provider Discussion Thread' on the Anyone Discord server for community discussions and considerations.

If you're affiliated with a University, consider hosting your exit relay there. Universities often have ample bandwidth and infrastructure. Collaborate with faculty who support internet privacy and security.

Use dedicated hardware for better security and performance. Embrace decentralization—avoid relying on a single provider or location. Spread resources across different regions and providers to enhance network resilience and prevent relay concentration. See the Anyone Explorer Map on DePINHub.io.

Legal Considerations for Exit Relay Operators

Operating an exit relay brings legal responsibilities, especially since it handles traffic exiting onto the open internet. Given the nature of the how an onion network works, traffic exiting from your relay may sometimes be associated with illicit activities, so it’s crucial to understand the legal framework in your country.

Understanding the Legal Framework

Different countries have different laws governing internet traffic, liability, and intermediary protections. In some jurisdictions, operators of communication services (including exit relays) may benefit from laws that shield them from liability as intermediaries, similar to how ISPs are protected. Before running an exit relay, make sure you are familiar with these laws in your region.

Seeking Legal Expertise

Consult with a legal expert who specializes in internet privacy, intermediary liability, and communication laws. Having an expert review your particular setup and jurisdiction ensures that you are operating within legal boundaries and reduces potential risks. They can help you navigate complex areas like common-carrier protections and liability for forwarded traffic.

Jurisdictional Differences

While some countries offer clear legal protections for exit relay operators, others may have stricter regulations or unclear rules. Your legal expert can guide you through understanding the nuances of your jurisdiction, including specific paragraphs or provisions that may apply. If possible, join networks of other relay operators who share legal experiences in your region.

Creating a Legal Entity for Exit Relay Operations

If you are operating an exit relay as an individual, consider setting up a legal entity, such as a non-profit organization. A legal entity provides several advantages:

Reduced Personal Liability

By operating as a formal organization, you can limit your personal liability. This setup also gives your operation more credibility, which may help when working with ISPs or law enforcement. A legal entity can provide continuity for your relay, ensuring that it continues to operate if you decide to step down.

Community Engagement

If you are part of an organization (such as a university or non-profit), consider educating others in your organization about the Anyone Protocol. Engage with your legal department to verify that they understand the purpose and function of your exit relay. Building awareness within your community helps reduce misunderstandings and builds support.

Proactively Engaging with Law Enforcement

Consider reaching out to local law enforcement agencies to educate them about Anyone and how your exit relay functions. By teaching them about the purpose of the network, we can hope to create a collaborative relationship that reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings.

Build Relationships

Contacting law enforcement before an issue arises allows you to position yourself as an expert and ally. If a legal inquiry or abuse complaint does arise, they will be more likely to view you as a cooperative partner rather than a potential suspect. Offering informational sessions or guides on how the network functions can help demystify your relay’s role and its importance for privacy online.

Handling Abuse Complaints

Because an exit relay exposes your IP to the public, you will likely receive abuse complaints related to traffic that passes through your relay. These can range from reports of criminal activity to automated DMCA takedown requests. Here’s how to handle these situations.

Respond to complaints promptly and professionally. Automated reports are common, but it’s important to take every complaint seriously. In your responses, explain that you are operating an exit relay for the Anyone Network and are not responsible for the content of the traffic passing through it.

Include a brief explanation of how the Anyone Network functions and provide relevant legal references. For instance, if your country’s laws protect intermediary services, cite the specific regulations in your reply.

If you receive a legal threat, such as a letter from a lawyer regarding abuse or a DMCA complaint, don’t panic. In most cases, these situations can be resolved by explaining the legal protections for intermediary services. If the situation escalates, consult your legal expert for advice on the best course of action.

Technical Considerations for Running an Exit Relay

Technical expertise is essential when running an exit relay to ensure security, reliability, and performance. Below are some of the key technical considerations

Managing Your Exit Policy

Exit relays expose certain ports to the public internet. By default, many services and ports are allowed, but you can adjust your exit policy to restrict high-risk or malicious traffic, which tends to attract abuse complaints. A Reduced Exit Policy allows most web services while blocking high-abuse ports, reducing the risk of receiving complaints.

Security and Encryption

Strengthen your exit relay’s security by keeping software up-to-date and using disk encryption. Disk encryption protects your relay’s private keys and other sensitive information in the event of a server breach. Secure configurations and firewall rules are also essential to safeguard against unauthorized access.

Below are some basic steps to get started, but continue researching the best methods for hardening your relay:

• Regularly apply updates to keep your system secure with the latest patches.

• Encrypt your disk to protect sensitive data, especially in case of a breach.

• Backup private keys and important information.

• SSH key authentication.

• Set firewall rules.

• Disable unused services.

• Perform regular security audits.

• Block brute-force attacks with tools such as Fail2Ban

Reverse DNS and Public Information

Set up reverse DNS entries for your exit relay that clearly indicate its purpose. Using terms like "anon-exit-relay" or "privacy-relay" can help site owners and administrators understand the nature of the traffic passing through your relay. This transparency can reduce the likelihood of receiving abuse reports and complaints.

Distributed Hosting for Decentralization

For true decentralization, avoid hosting all your relays in one country or with a single provider. Distribute your hosting across multiple regions and jurisdictions. This will make the Anyone Network robust against shutdowns and legal attacks on specific geographic locations.

Building a DePIN Future for the Anyone Network

The network thrives on diversity, and by operating an exit relay in underrepresented regions, you bolster its security and resilience. Encouraging new operators to set up relays expands the network, making it tougher for adversaries to compromise or censor it. A diverse, well-distributed relay network across various countries ensures decentralization, keeping traffic anonymized across different legal and political environments.