Introduction to TOR Browser
TOR Browser was created to fulfill the need of online privacy. In today’s digital era, we spend our most of the time on Internet. We share personal information on social media, we buy and sell goods and services online, and we even conduct our personal relationships online.
But as we spend more and more time on the internet, we also leave behind a digital footprint that can be tracked, monitored, and even used against us. This is why TOR Browser was created : to give users a way to browse the internet anonymously and protect their privacy.
In this blog post, we will explore the history of TOR Browser and how it works to protect our online privacy. We will also discuss some of the potential risks associated with using TOR Browser and how you can avoid them.
What is TOR Browser ?
TOR Browser is a free and open-source web browser that enables anonymous
communication by directing internet traffic through a free and worldwide
volunteer overlay network consisting of more than seven thousand relays.
User
data is encrypted multiple times and routed through these relays, making it
difficult for anyone to trace internet activity back to the original user. TOR
Browser also includes features designed to prevent tracking, fingerprinting,
and surveillance.
The TOR Project, a US organisation, coordinates
the development of TOR Browser and the operation of the overlay network. The
project's main goals is
"to advance human rights and freedoms by
creating and deploying free and open-source technologies, supporting their
unrestricted availability and use, and spreading their scientific and
popular understanding."
History of TOR Browser
In the early 1990s, two employees at the US Naval Research Laboratory, Mike Reed and Paul Syverson, created a way for people to communicate securely online. They called this method "onion routing." Later on, this became the foundation for the TOR network, which is now an open-source software.
The TOR network is designed to provide anonymity and privacy for its users. When you use the TOR Browser, which is a tool for accessing the TOR network, your internet traffic is sent through several volunteer-operated servers before it reaches its destination. This makes it difficult for anyone, including governments, to trace your online activity back to you.
The TOR network has been used by many people and organizations for various purposes, such as journalists, human rights activists, and whistleblowers. Unfortunately, cybercriminals and hackers also use TOR, but that doesn't mean it's not valuable for legitimate purposes.
Despite its many legal uses, the TOR network has come under pressure from law enforcement and intelligence organizations around the world. However, the creators of the TOR Browser have made several changes to make it harder for these organizations to monitor users online behaviour. Overall, TOR is a tool that can help people protect their privacy and anonymity online, but it's important to use it responsibly and for legal purposes.
Why TOR Browser was Created ?
TOR Browser was created by the TOR Project, a non-profit organisation that promotes online privacy and freedom. The TOR Browser is based on the Firefox web browser and includes many features that are designed to protect your privacy.
There are many reasons why the TOR Browser was created. One reason is to keep
people safe when they browse the internet. TOR Browser helps protect your
privacy by making it harder for people to track what you do online. It
also helps keep your information safe from hackers and other malicious
actors.
Another reason why TOR Browser was created is to help
people access the internet anonymously. This can be helpful if you live in a country where the government censors
the internet, or if you want to avoid being tracked by third party
advertisers.
TOR can also help you access websites that are
blocked by your ISP or government.
This can be useful if you want to bypass censorship or view content that is
unavailable in your country.
How does TOR Browser Work ?
TOR follows a number of complex processes to safeguard your data. First, it wraps your data in layers of encryption. Then it routes it through a random relay across a decentralized network of nodes.
As your data travels via a network of nodes, each relay removes a layer of encryption to identify the position of the subsequent relay. When your data reaches the final relay, also known as the exit node, the last layer of encryption is removed, and your data is transferred to its final location.
Each relay only decrypts enough data to reveal the location of the previous and following relay. Every path is randomly generated, and none of the relays are recorded. Additionally, Tor deletes your browsing history and cookies.
When you use the Tor Browser, it encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through the Tor network before reaching its destination. This means that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and any other third-party organizations will not be able to track you.
Benefits of TOR Browser
When TOR was created, the developers had three primary goals in mind -:
-
To allow people browse the internet anonymously and securely
- To allow
people to bypass censorship and access blocked websites
There are
many more benefits of using TOR Browser, including :
Anonymity : Since your traffic is routed through multiple servers, it is very
difficult to trace back to you. This makes it ideal for people who want to
keep their online activities private.
Security : Encryption used by TOR (The Onion Router) makes it very difficult for anyone to intercept and read your traffic. This makes it a good choice for people who are concerned about online security.
Bypassing Censorship : TOR Browser encrypts your traffic and routes it through multiple servers. Hence you can bypass censorship and access websites that are normally blocked. This is especially useful in countries where internet freedom is restricted.
Drawbacks of TOR Browser
TOR Browser was created to provide individuals with a way to browse the internet anonymously. However, there are some drawbacks to using TOR ( The Onion Router ).
One drawback is that TOR ( The Onion Router ) is very slow. This is because TOR routes your internet traffic through multiple layers of security before it reaches its destination. This can make browsing the web with TOR Browser slower than using a regular web browser.
Another drawback to using TOR ( The Onion Router ) is that it can make your computer more vulnerable too malware. This is because TOR allows you to access websites that are not typically accessible through a regular web browser. This can be useful for accessing certain types of information, but it also means that you may accidentally download malicious software onto your computer.
How to access Dark Web using TOR browser ?
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where you can access information anonymously and can be accessed through TOR Browser.
For example - You may now visit "onion" versions of The New York Times and the CIA's websites through Tor and submit news reports .
⚠️ To visit Dark Web site you first need to find the onion link of that website. Just remember to take URL from verified sources. Although Google doesn't index onion sites, you may still find directories of them online. Just be sure to check each URL twice before visiting it.
It is simple to use Tor Browser to access the dark web once you have got the correct URLs of the websites you wish to view. Consider it like other browsers – but remember not to share your personal information that might compromise your privacy.
Is Tor Browser a VPN ?
No, Tor ( The Onion Router ) is not a VPN. Remember, the main purpose of Tor is to maintain anonymity, and VPN's main purpose is to protect privacy.
These two points might sound similar, but they’re different. And although both Tor and VPNs are tools to maximise your security online, they accomplish this in different ways.
All of your data is protected using end-to-end encryption when you use a VPN. It is sent over a secure channel to a remote server, connecting you to the website you're attempting to access.
Even your ISP cannot tell if you are connected to the Tor network if you use VPN with Tor.
This is crucial, especially in nations that impose strict online restrictions. Tor isn't illegal, but if someone finds out you're using it, they might report you for questionable behaviour.
Conclusion
The creators of
TOR (The Onion Router) developed
it primarily to provide users with anonymous web browsing. TOR routes all your
internet traffic through series of nodes, making it impossible for anyone to
track your online activity.
This makes TOR an ideal tool for people
who want to keep their online activity private. It also helps to access blocked websites for people who live in countries
where internet censorship is rampant. If you're looking for a way to browse
the web without being tracked, give TOR Browser a try.