Setting Up an Onion Website in a Ubuntu Docker Container¶

Step 1: Install Docker¶

If Docker is not installed, install it using:

• Windows/Mac: Download Docker Desktop from Docker’s official website.
• Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

  sudo apt update
  sudo apt install docker.io -y
  sudo systemctl enable --now docker
  

Step 2: Run an Ubuntu Docker Container¶

docker pull ubuntu:latest
docker run -it --name tor-hidden-service -p 8080:8080 ubuntu

Step 3: Install Required Packages Inside the Container¶

apt update && apt install tor nginx nano -y

Step 4: Configure Tor for a Hidden Service¶

nano /etc/tor/torrc

Add the following lines at the bottom:

HiddenServiceDir /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/
HiddenServicePort 80 127.0.0.1:8080

Save and exit (Press CTRL+X, then Y, then Enter).

Restart Tor:

service tor restart

Step 5: Get Your .onion Address¶

cat /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/hostname

abcxyz123456789.onion

Step 6: Set Up a Web Server¶

Modify the Nginx configuration:

nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

server {
    listen 8080;
    server_name localhost;
    root /var/www/html;
    index index.html;
}

Restart Nginx:

service nginx restart

Step 7: Create a Simple Web Page¶

echo "<h1>Welcome to my Onion Website</h1>" > /var/www/html/index.html
service nginx restart

Step 8: Test Your Onion Website¶

1. Open Tor Browser.
2. Visit abcxyz123456789.onion.

Step 9: Manage the Docker Container¶

To exit but keep the container running:

CTRL + P + Q

To stop the container:

docker stop tor-hidden-service

To restart it:

docker start -ai tor-hidden-service

Congratulations! Your Onion Website is Live! 🎉¶