Tor Network
TOR or the Onion Router is a free software and open network which allows users to improve their privacy and security over the Internet. Putting in simple words, Tor is software that allows the users to browse the Web anonymously. The Tor Project has developed Tor Network. This is a non-profit organization which conducts research and development on the online privacy and obscurity. TOR is typically designed to stop people (including the government agencies and corporations) to track a user’s identity, location or browsing habits. Originally Tor was called The Onion Router; this is because this software uses a technique known as onion routing to conceal information about user activity. The Tor network entails of Tor relays which route traffic. It is just not used for web browsing but can also be used by many applications which want to anonymously route traffic. Applications like Instant Messaging (IM), Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and web browsers all can use Tor effectively to anonymously route traffic across the Internet. You can access the Dark Web using the TOR browser.
How does Tor work
Tor routes the internet traffic through the Tor Network. We already mentioned earlier that Tor could be used by a number of applications, but here let’s take the web browser as an example to explain how Tor works.
Who can use Tor network and for what purpose
Many people believe that their identity is properly protected under normal usage conditions. But that is a totally wrong concept as if you are not using a VPN software or Tor, there is a high chance for your identity to be traced. Tor can help users make sure that their entire online activity and personal information stays secret. Typically Tor Network is being used to:
Keep internet activities private from websites and advertisersAnswer cyber-spying concernsEvade hostile government censorshipAvoid surveillanceEnsure maximum privacy over the Internet
The US Navy is a key user of the Tor Network. The primary audience for Tor include the journalists, legal activists, whistle-blowers, and people living in a country with censorship. Other key users include bloggers, business executives, IT professionals and law enforcement officers. Also, the police is a user of Tor, they use this network when they need to mask their IP addresses while investigating doubtful websites and services. Despite the good intentions of the Tor Project, Tor has unfortunately developed a bad reputation in the mainstream press. With the growth and prosperity of Tor and the massive advantage of the cover it provides, the Tor Network has actually become a shelter for nasty individuals.
How to get Tor
Tor is free to use software; you can simply download and install the Tor browser. It is a modified version of Firefox which is available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. For mobile browsing, Orbot is an Android app available to download from Google Play.
Using Privoxy And Tor For Increased Anonymity
Tor Network has some major disadvantages: To conclude in simple words, the Tor Network can be painfully slow. This is one major reason why we suggest using Privoxy with Tor.
What is Privoxy
Privoxy is a non-caching web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities. It is used for enhancing privacy, modifying web page data and HTTP headers, control access, and remove ads and other obnoxious Internet junk. Privoxy and Tor together make a great team. They add two additional layers of protection on your anonymous VPN. Tor is a perfect tool to protect your digital privacy, even while browsing the Internet without revealing who you actually are! Now read about the OONI or Open Observatory of Network Interference Project from TOR.
