NAME
LWP::UserAgent::Paranoid - A modern LWPx::ParanoidAgent for safer requests
SYNOPSIS
use LWP::UserAgent::Paranoid;
my $ua = LWP::UserAgent::Paranoid->new(
request_timeout => 5 # seconds
);
# use $ua as a normal LWP::UserAgent...
my $response = $ua->get("http://example.com");DESCRIPTION
This module is a more modern LWPx::ParanoidAgent with cleaner internals and a very similar feature set. It is a not a drop-in replacement, however, since the API differs.
The primary features provided by this module:
Overall request timeout
A configurable timeout from start to finish of a "logical" request made by calling one of LWP::UserAgent's request methods. It encompasses all followed redirects to ensure that you can't be tarpitted by a series of stalling redirects. The default is 5 seconds.
Blocked private hosts and IP address ranges
All new agents are automatically made paranoid of private hostnames and IP address ranges using LWPx::ParanoidHandler. You may access the Net::DNS::Paranoid resolver via the "resolver" method in order to customize the blocked or whitelisted hosts.
EVEN MORE PARANOIA
You may also wish to tune standard LWP::UserAgent parameters for greater paranoria depending on your requirements:
Maximum number of redirects
Although generally unnecessary given the request timeout, you can tune "max_redirects" in LWP::UserAgent down from the default of 7.
Protocols/URI schemes allowed
If you don't want to allow requests for schemes other than http and https, you may use "protocols_allowed" in LWP::UserAgent either as a method or as an option to new.
$ua->protocols_allowed(["http", "https"]);WHY NOT LWPx::ParanoidAgent?
LWPx::ParanoidAgent's implemention involves a 2009-era fork of LWP's http and https protocol handlers, and it is no longer maintained. A more maintainable approach is taken by this module and LWPx::ParanoidHandler.
METHODS
All methods from LWP::UserAgent are available via inheritence. In addition, the following methods are available:
request_timeout
Gets/sets the timeout which encapsulates each logical request, including any redirects which are followed. The default is 5 seconds.
resolver
Gets/sets the DNS resolver which is used to block private hosts. There is little need to set your own but if you do it should be an Net::DNS::Paranoid object.
Use the blocking and whitelisting methods on the resolver to customize the behaviour.
CAVEATS
The overall request timeout is implemented using SIGALRM. Any $SIG{ALRM} handler from an outer scope is replaced in the scope of LWP::UserAgent::Paranoid requests.
BUGS
All bugs should be reported via rt.cpan.org or bug-LWP-UserAgent-Paranoid@rt.cpan.org.
AUTHOR
Thomas Sibley <tsibley@cpan.org>
LICENSE AND COPYRIGHT
This software is Copyright (c) 2013 by Best Practical Solutions
This is free software, licensed under:
The GNU General Public License, Version 2, June 1991