Websurfx

Websurfx is an open-source, self-hosted meta search engine that aggregates results from multiple upstream engines. It functions as a web application that allows users to perform searches while maintaining privacy by acting as an intermediary between the user and the search providers. By aggregating data from various sources, it provides a centralized interface for discovering information across the web without exposing the user's identity to the underlying search providers.

The software is deployed as a server and can be installed on bare metal or via Docker. It requires a Redis server to handle caching and is configured through a dedicated Lua file. Users access the interface through a standard web browser to execute queries and manage their search preferences. The deployment process involves cloning the repository, configuring the environment, and running the server using the Cargo build system.

Key features

• Twelve default color schemes with support for custom CSS themes
• Search result filtering based on four different levels
• Multiple caching levels for reliability and speed
• Built-in ranking algorithm to rerank organic search results
• Support for custom proxies and Tor for fetching upstream results
• Configurable compression and encryption levels
• Experimental IO-uring support for Linux performance
• Ad-free search results

Written in Rust, the application leverages memory safety to prevent vulnerabilities and improve concurrency. It is designed for users who prioritize privacy and want full control over their search infrastructure. The system currently supports x86_64 architecture and uses a Lua-based configuration system for managing engine behavior and visual styles. The architecture focuses on reducing memory flaws and eliminating the presence of spam or inorganic results often found in standard search engines.

Websurfx is distributed under the AGPLv3 license to ensure the source code remains open and transparent.