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; may be fractional ); # 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 LWPx::ParanoidAgent's implemention involves a 2009-era fork of LWP's http and https protocol handlers, and it is no longer maintained.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. Fractional seconds are OK. 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 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