The Onion Router is a worldwide network of servers provided by volunteers for users of the Tor browser who want to browse the web with the highest possible degree of anonymity.

What is Tor used for?

Tor enhances privacy and anonymity by routing a browser's internet traffic through a dedicated network of servers located around the globe. A by-product of the system's functionality is that it can beat censorship and increase privacy and anonymity. Thus, the Tor browser affords anonymity and safety for journalists, political activists, whistle-blowers, journalistic sources, and other actors who are trying to fight the good fight against a hostile government or in a dangerous environment. Another use for the Tor browser is browsing the dark web, which is not always as important as the use case in the previous paragraph, but it's a use for the technology.

The Tor browser sends your traffic through three nodes within the Tor network. At each node, the traffic is decrypted and encrypted again, the previous IP address is masked, and then the node sends the traffic to the next node or the destination server. This elaborated process makes it practically impossible to trace any traffic to its original source.

Where can I download Tor?

You can get the Tor browser easily from the Tor website. It's free.

Are there any disadvantages to Tor?

Yes, there are a few. The most apparent one is that internet speeds are much lower in the Tor browser because of the longer path the data has to travel and the many layers of encryption. Another limitation of the Tor technology is that it only protects the information that goes in and out of the browser itself. In contrast, all the rest of the traffic generated by other browsers or applications remains open.

Can anybody tell me what websites I am browsing if I use the Tor browser?

No. Any external observer will only be able to see that you're connecting to a node in the Tor network.

Which are the operating systems for which the Tor Browser is available?

There are versions of the Tor Browser ready for use in Linux, macOS, Linux, and Android. Unfortunately, there is no official iOS version so far, but you can try the Onion Browser in that case.

Can I achieve total anonymity using the Tor browser?

No, you can't. Unfortunately, total anonymity remains the holy grail of digital security -- no technology can achieve it. Also, never forget that the Tor browser only protects the data through the browser itself. Everything else in your device remains un-anonymized, and unencrypted and will show your actual IP address as its origin. With all that being said, the level of anonymity you can have with the Tor browser is the best for a single app. Additional tweaking on your part of the browser's configuration will also help you be even more anonymous.

Can I install new add-ons or browser extensions in my Tor Browser?

Every new add-on or browser extension you install in your Tor browser weakens its ability to keep you safe and anonymous online. The Tor browser was not designed with extensions and additional software in mind, so while you can indeed add them if you want, how they will interact with Tor is unpredictable, and the chances are that they will end up beating the purpose of Tor itself, which is anonymity and security. Also, if you customize your browser, you'll create a more distinctive "browsing fingertip" for the servers you visit. That alone will make it pointless to use Tor because if your fingerprint is unique enough, you will become identifiable even through Tor.

Can I donate to a relay rather than running one of my own?

Yes, you can, indeed! The Torrent Project website has a list of organizations that run Tor relays (servers), and some of them are happy to accept donatives. PrivacySavvy donates to such organizations from time to time, so we encourage our readers to do so too.

Can I use Tor over a VPN connection?

You can indeed. Most experts will tell you that it's overkill and that if you have a good VPN provider, even using Tor doesn't add any value to your service, except for browsing the dark web.

What is the Tor Browser, and Why Should We Use it in 2024?

Abeerah Hashim - Security Expert

Last updated: January 1, 2024

Read time: 28 minutes

This is an estimated reading time to let you know how long it will take you to read all the content on this particular PrivacySavvy.com page. However, it has a sneak peek, easy guide steps, and/or a quick list providing quick in-page navigations and easily-found answers if desired.

Tor helps enhance your privacy and gain more freedom online alongside letting you visit the dark web. But it is not the silver bullet many believe so. Here is how it works and everything about this free anonymizer there is to know.

THE TAKEAWAYS

TOR (The Onion Router) is one of the safest browsers that has employed a global network of servers that enable private communications and secure web browsing. It is the most secure and reliable browser that lets you access the dark web alongside regular browsing with the best possible anonymity. TOR routes the online traffic via multiple nodes, each providing military-grade encryption to the data. This way, it becomes impossible for anyone to track the user. This detailed guide covers everything you need to know about the TOR browser.

The Tor browser is a particular internet browser that enables users to surf the world wide web anonymously. It’s also a gateway into the dark web.

This browser works over a global network of servers maintained by volunteers designed for private communications and web browsing.

Tor browsing quick guide

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