In today‘s digital world, online privacy is a growing concern. Internet users worry about their personal data being tracked, profiles created, and browsing history monitored – often without their knowledge or consent.
To take back control of your online anonymity, many people have turned to the Tor browser. But how exactly does Tor work to safeguard your privacy? And is using Tor safe and legal?
This comprehensive beginner‘s guide will provide an overview of what Tor is, how it functions under the hood, who uses it, and expert tips for surfing the web more privately with Tor.
Contents
What is Tor and How Does it Work?
Tor stands for "The Onion Router." It is free and open source software that protects your privacy online by hiding your identity and browsing activity.
Tor was originally created by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in the mid-1990s to protect government communications. It enabled intelligence operatives to anonymously access the internet and evade surveillance.
The non-profit Tor Project was launched in 2006 to develop and maintain the Tor software for public use. Today, over 2 million users access the internet through Tor on a daily basis.
Tor users have steadily increased over the past decade. Over 2 million people now use Tor daily. (Source: The Tor Project)
Unlike traditional internet connections that take a direct route to a website, Tor bounces your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers. This prevents anyone from watching your connection from point A to point B.
Here‘s how it works step-by-step:
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You install and open the Tor browser on your device. This is a modified version of Firefox tailored for privacy.
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Tor connects you to the Tor network, which consists of thousands of volunteer nodes/relays around the world.
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When you visit a website, Tor creates an encrypted tunnel by routing your traffic through several random relays. This is called a Tor circuit.
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At each hop along the circuit, another layer of encryption is decrypted to reveal only the next node.
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The last relay sends your traffic out onto the open internet to the destination website. The website sees the IP of the exit node, not your real IP.
This onion-like layering of encryption is where Tor gets its name. Your data is wrapped in layers that get peeled back like an onion as traffic proceeds along the circuit.
Tor wraps your traffic in encryption and bounces it through relays for anonymity. (Source: Computer Hope)
Tor also clears cookies and browsing history after each session. This prevents local data leaks that could identify you.
Overall, Tor makes tracking your online activity, location, and unique fingerprints extremely difficult. This ability to anonymize internet use is what makes Tor appealing for those who prioritize privacy.
Who Uses the Tor Browser?
An estimated 25-50 million users worldwide access Tor each year. Tor is popular among people looking to avoid censorship and government surveillance. This includes:
- Activists and protestors organizing against authoritarian regimes.
- Journalists communicating securely with whistleblowers.
- Law enforcement secretly gathering intelligence on criminal groups.
- Cybersecurity researchers analyzing malware and the dark web.
Tor also enables access to darknet sites not indexed by search engines. This includes illicit underground markets offering drugs, hacking services, and other illegal wares.
Some users are merely seeking added privacy, such as:
- Domestic abuse victims hiding their browsing history.
- Users who don‘t want employers tracking their activity.
- People researching sensitive medical issues.
Below charts Tor usage percentages across top countries:
United States, Russia, and Germany have the most Tor users according to estimates. (Source: ZDNet)
This wide range of usage exemplifies Tor‘s appeal to diverse groups valuing privacy, free speech, and freedom from surveillance.
Pros and Cons of Using Tor
The Tor browser provides clear privacy benefits, but also comes with some tradeoffs:
Pros
- Hides your IP address by routing traffic through encrypted tunnels, preventing tracking.
- Prevents profiling and fingerprinting by concealing your digital footprint.
- Circumvents internet censorship by certain regimes, allowing access to restricted content.
- Adds a layer of encryption to communications, securing them from spying.
- Easy to download and use on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android. Over 37 language options.
Cons
- Slower internet speed due to extra encryption steps and indirect routing.
- Not 100% anonymous – risks remain if Tor protocols are compromised.
- Banned in some countries including China and Iran due to government censorship concerns.
- Illegal activity prevalent – the dark web accessible through Tor is unregulated.
Weighing these key factors will determine if downloading Tor makes sense for your personal needs and threat model.
For many, the privacy benefits outweigh the slower speeds. Let‘s examine how to use Tor safely and effectively.
Expert Tips for Safe Tor Usage
While handy for anonymity, Tor can‘t provide ironclad privacy all on its own. To maximize your security while using Tor:
1. Upgrade to Tor Browser Bundle
The Tor Browser Bundle integrates key addons like Torbutton, HTTPS Everywhere, and NoScript to provide extra hardening.
2. Always use HTTPS versions of sites
HTTP leaves you open to sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks. HTTPS offers end-to-end traffic encryption.
3. Don‘t use Tor for torrenting or file sharing
Downloading files can reveal your real IP address, compromising anonymity. Use a VPN for this instead.
4. Disable JavaScript
JavaScript can be used to harvest browser fingerprints that diminish anonymity. Shut it off.
5. Avoid logging into personal accounts
Signing into accounts like Google or Facebook links that activity with your real identity.
6. Use a trusted VPN along with Tor
A VPN adds encryption before Tor to provide an extra layer of protection.
7. Change your Tor identity regularly
Building a persistent identity on Tor decreases privacy, so rotate IP addresses.
8. Never enter real personal info
Any info you volunteer could be used to identify you and break anonymity.
Pairing Tor with a VPN for Maximum Privacy
No single tool offers a privacy panacea. But combining Tor with a VPN provides mutually reinforcing protection.
Here‘s why this works so well:
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The VPN encrypts and tunnels your traffic before passing it to the Tor network. This cloaks your IP address.
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Tor then encrypts and bounces your connection through multiple relays to anonymize it.
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Using both means that if one fails, you still maintain some privacy protections from the other.
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VPNs also allow safer torrenting, video streaming, and geo-spoofing – things not recommended over Tor alone.
When layering VPN and Tor, we recommend placing the VPN outside Tor for optimal security:
Using your VPN before sending traffic into the Tor network provides enhanced privacy. (Source: Restore Privacy)
You‘ll also want to choose a reputable VPN provider that safeguards your privacy:
- WebRTC and DNS leak protected
- No logging policy
- Fast speeds to compensate for Tor latency
- Numerous servers worldwide
- Strong 256-bit AES encryption
- Support for OpenVPN protocol
Top rated VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN check all these boxes and work seamlessly with the Tor browser.
Tor Browser FAQs
Let‘s answer some common questions about the Tor browser and how to use it safely:
Q: Is the Tor browser 100% anonymous?
A: Tor provides excellent anonymity, but risks remain. Using good opsec reduces risks like malware and surveillance.
Q: Can you get arrested for using Tor?
A: In most democratic countries, simply using Tor is not illegal. Obviously any illegal activities can carry consequences.
Q: Is Tor safe for beginners?
A: Tor is relatively safe if users follow best practices like using HTTPS, avoiding plugins, and not torrenting over Tor. But total beginners may find it challenging.
Q: Does Tor hide your IP address?
A: Yes, by routing connections through a series of relays. The website sees only the IP address of the exit relay, hiding your origin.
Q: Is Tor browser free?
A: Yes, Tor is 100% free thanks to its open source development and community of volunteers who run relays. Donations to the Tor Project are welcome.
Q: Is Tor faster than a VPN?
A: No. Generally VPN connections are faster, as Tor adds encryption and routing hops that increase latency. Use a speedy VPN to offset Tor sluggishness.
Conclusion
The Tor browser remains one of the best tools available today for achieving online anonymity. It enables private, censorship-resistant browsing by obscuring your digital footprint.
While not flawless, Tor provides robust privacy when configured properly and combined with a secure VPN. With some prudent precautions, you can avoid tracking and safely access the open internet.
Give Tor a try if you value unrestricted access to information and strong protection against surveillance. Just be sure to use it wisely.
