Controlling log formats in Squid

The Squid proxy comes with prepackaged logging formats like these:

logformat squid %ts.%03tu %6tr %>a %Ss/%03>Hs %<st %rm %ru %un %Sh/%<A %mt
logformat squidmime %ts.%03tu %6tr %>a %Ss/%03>Hs %<st %rm %ru %un %Sh/%<A %mt [%>h] [%<h]
logformat common %>a %ui %un [%tl] "%rm %ru HTTP/%rv" %>Hs %<st %Ss:%Sh
logformat combined %>a %ui %un [%tl] "%rm %ru HTTP/%rv" %>Hs %<st "%{Referer}>h" "%{User-Agent}>h" %Ss:%Sh

Unfortunately the %ru parameter strips off any HTTP GET parameters that could have been found in the query. Changing it to %rp fixes that, but strips off the host part of the URL as a result!

One solution to that was to extract the Host header from the raw headers >h (the %{Host}>h portion), and to replace %rm with %rp.

logformat mynewcombinedformat %>a %ui %un [%tl] "%rm %{Host}>h %rp HTTP/%rv" %>Hs %<st "%{Referer}>h" "%{User-Agent}>h" %Ss:%Sh

Somewhat better now, but it does not show the port being CONNECTed to (for example hostname:443 for SSL connections), as it is only shown as part of the %ru parameter… -_-

(How to) Signup for SecureMe

If you wish to have a safe and private way to surf the internets while you’re at a public wifi hotspot, or somewhere like a hotel “free” network or whatnot, why not consider using a VPN + proxy + DNS resolver combination?

SecureMe is a project I started to try out and get some experience from running an operational combination like this, and I have been using it without much issues for the past quarter year to date.

I’m opening this as a service to people who’d like to make use of this service too, and for no minimum cost! I only ask for the following:
1. feedback/suggestions/complaints/compliments!
2. (if you’re feeling generous) donations to help me upkeep my server at least (I don’t intend to strike it rich with this anyway) 😀

If you wish to use this, email me at secureme{@T}rayfoo[dot]info to enquire on availability. Alternatively you could tweet or FB me…

I’ll support this as much as possible where time/resources permits, but for now I’d suggest that (at least) the slightly more technically inclined try this.

SecureMe so far…

Have been using my VPN + proxy + dns resolver combination (or the so-called SecureMe project) for a while to date, and it has served my pretty well so far.. I primarily use this at public wifi hotspots like Wireless@SG, where the network is not trusted.  Of course this could be extended to apply in networks which aren’t necessarily private or trusted, which works very well for people running in paranoia mode (like me).

A short review on the different parts of this system so far…