Tor Browser: the Essential Browser to Increase Your Privacy

The Tor network is a distributed network formed by a series of tunnels, relays and nodes whose main purpose is to forward anonymized traffic through this network in order to protect the identity of users and prevent them from being tracked. Access to the Tor network is completely free for all users. However, if we have no previous experience, setting up a connection from scratch can be complicated. Therefore, one of the must-have tools when connecting to this network is Tor Browser .

Tor Browser is a web browser, based on Firefox ESR, which is configured by default to automatically connect to the Tor network and forward all traffic through it. This browser comes by default with a configuration that gives priority to privacy and security, in addition to having a series of extensions that guarantee that no website can track us or execute scripts without permission when visiting them.

tor-browser

Red Tor vs Deep Web vs Dark Web

Although these 3 concepts are generally thought to be the same, we are actually facing terms that, although related, are totally different. On the one hand we have the Tor Network , which, as we have explained, is a distributed network through which user traffic is sent anonymously and impossible to track.

From the Tor Network we can access all the web pages of the normal Internet. We can use Google, or visit websites like ITIGIC. The advantage is that we can do it anonymously and privately through this network.

In addition, in the normal Internet there are a number of web pages that are not indexed by web browsers and that cannot be found on Google, Bing or any other search engine. They can only be accessed through their links. This is what is known as Deep Web . The Deep Web can be accessed without Tor.

Finally, the Dark Web is a part of the Deep Web. This part, in addition to not being indexed, is not accessible to users or browsers from the normal Internet. To access it it is necessary to connect through the Tor network. Web pages within the Dark Web usually have .onion domains.

How to connect to the Dark Web from Tor Browser

One of the characteristics of Tor Browser is that by default it is configured to connect to this network. Therefore, once the browser is installed, just run it, we can see a wizard that allows us to connect to this network.

With just one click on “Connect”, we can connect directly to this network. In addition, if we access the “Configure” section, we can configure the Tor network connection wizard to connect through a proxy, or use a bypass to connect if Tor is prohibited in our country.

In a few seconds we will be connected to the network. A browser window will open and all the traffic we make through it will be anonymized and sent through that distributed network. We can verify that we are correctly in the Tor network through the following link .

Comprobar red Tor

Once we are connected to the Tor network, the entire Dark Web is available at our fingertips. We can start using an indexer, such as “jncyepk6zbnosf4p.onion”, to access a directory of web pages, such as Google, but more rudimentary.

Tor Browser privacy options

As privacy and security are two of the base pillars of the Tor network, this browser has a series of security and privacy measures to connect to this network safely. For example, the first thing we will find will be two secure extensions installed by default: HTTPS Everywhere , which will force the websites to use secure connections, and NoScript, which will block any script that is attempted to be executed when visiting a website.

Tor Browser - Extensiones

Security and Tor options

Also, within the privacy section (about: preferences # privacy) we can find several levels of security depending on how we want to use this browser. We can access this panel by clicking on the shield icon that appears to the right of the address bar.

Tor Browser - Seguridad

We can choose between 3 levels of protection:

  • Standard: all Tor Browser features are available.
  • Safer: Disable some features, such as JavaScript or non-HTTPS websites, for safer browsing.
  • Safest: only allows static websites. Everything else is disabled.

We will also find within the settings a section on Tor (about: preferences # tor). From it we will be able to connect to the Internet through the Tor Bridges, very useful both to have personalized connections and networks and to do so if we have access to Tor blocked.

Tor Browser - configurar Tor

Get new identity

Finally, a very important icon of Tor Browser is the one with the shape of a broom, to the right of the address bar. Clicking on it will destroy the Tor connection we have established, the browser will close and a new connection will be created with a new identity . Essential to start from scratch and always have maximum security.

Security advice

The Tor network can be very useful, but also very dangerous. Therefore, it is important to ensure that we comply with a series of tips and recommendations if we do not want to compromise our security or our privacy:

  • Browsing the Dark Web from Windows is not recommended . It is better to use specialized systems, such as Tails . And if it is in Live mode, much better.
  • Beware of the websites we access. A bug can lead us to websites with really worrying content.
  • We should not install extensions in Tor Browser . It is better to use it by default.
  • It is recommended not to change the browser at all. Neither the language nor the size of the window. Those slight changes may allow us to track.

In addition, although Tor is a private and anonymous network, we remember that absolutely nothing is 100% secure or private. Great care.

to download

Tor Browser is available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. And this browser is completely free for all these operating systems. In order to use it, the first thing we will have to do is access the following link to download the latest version of Tor’s browser.

When we have the file downloaded, we execute it. This will be extracted in the directory that we indicate and, from that moment, we will have it ready to start using.

The importance of using the latest version

Whenever we talk about web browsers remember that it is very important to make sure you are using the latest version of it. With Tor Browser, this is even more important. Not only because a security flaw may endanger our identity, but because the Tor network (especially if we lower the level to the Dark Web ) is plagued with hackers looking for the slightest chance to attack users, distribute malware and become With the control of your data.

Therefore, it is very important to make sure that we are using the latest version of Tor Browser . The browser will update automatically whenever there are new versions similar to Firefox. And we can also go to its website to download new versions of it whenever we are going to use it.

Actualizar Tor Browser

Now that we have the knowledge, we must use it wisely.