What is a Tor browser?

Tor (previously called the Onion Router) is free software that provides online anonymity.

The Main implementation of Tor is written in the C programming language and consists of roughly 146,000 lines of source code.

The Tor browser directs Internet traffic through a free, worldwide network consisting of more than three thousand links to hide the location of the user and prevent any tracking on the network or traffic analysis. Using Tor is noticeably difficult to track Internet activity, including visits to specific sites, sent and received Internet messages and other forms of communication. Tor browser is designed to protect the privacy of users, maintain their freedom and ability to conduct confidential business.

Original data including the point of destination, when using this browser are encrypted several times and routed through a virtual channel includes sequential and random links. Each link recognizes “layer” encryption, which is revealed only in the next link. The final link takes the last layer of encryption and sends the original data, without revealing or even knowing the sender to the destination. This method reduces the probability of intercept of the original data and completely hides the routing. For this reason, when reference was made to the best browsers, Tor is the one of the first places.

However, it has weaknesses. As all the existing network to ensure anonymity, Tor cannot and does not attempt to protect against monitoring of traffic at the border of its network. This means that the input and output of the network can be viewed. In addition, the Tor browser protects you from traffic analysis, but it cannot prevent the identification of the traffic.

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Despite the above shortcomings, Tor and alternative systems JonDonym (JAP) are considered more sustainable than their alternatives in the face of VPN. In a study conducted to analyze the amounts of encrypted data flow, which passes through the system VPN, Tor or JonDo, showed that the latter two services is much more difficult to analyze.

Despite this, operators of some online sites have the ability to prevent connections from Tor nodes, or offer limited functionality for users of that browser. If to speak about other free browsers, it is obvious that such restrictions no longer exist. For example, usually impossible to edit Wikipedia when using Tor or when using an IP address that uses a Tor exit node (this is recognized in connection with the use of the TorBlock extension).

Despite the many illegal and harmful things that some users do when using this service, it is a significant endorsement for lawful purposes. According to international data, the Tor browser is part of a wider strategy for the protection of private life and anonymity. Recent years have seen the growth of popularity of service associated with conducting business and financial transactions.