Tor is safe because it routes your traffic through at least three relays. When you open a website on Tor Browser, your traffic essentially bounces through this network of relays. These relays are maintained by a community of volunteers. The Tor network is made up of thousands of relays (or nodes) scattered across the globe. Using Tor Browser then is a way to stay hidden. In today’s hostile web, your internet service provider (ISP), a government agency, or a hacker may want to monitor your web activity. While the Tor Project is the underlying software of the Tor browser, both the terms are often used interchangeably. More than anything, it deflects traffic analysis and surveillance. It anonymizes your connection and lets you surf the web freely and safely, without the fear of anyone monitoring you. This routing, combined with encryption, makes it difficult for interceptors to link your online activities back to you. It hops from one relay to another and so on.

When you use this special browser, your traffic is routed through multiple relays that are scattered over the Tor network. To make this application more accessible and easier to use, Tor Browser was launched in 2008. The creators of Tor intended its use for hiding one’s online identity while browsing without any kind of monitoring. Launched in 2002, its main objective was to help users keep their web communication private. Tor is an open-source web application designed for free, safe, and anonymous internet browsing. This not only makes you safe online but also hides your data, identity, and web location.īut what exactly is the Tor Project? How does it work? And how does the Tor Browser help you stay anonymous? Here’s everything you need to know. Each relay gives additional anonymization, thereby creating an onion-like encryption bubble.

Tor Browser encrypts and routes your traffic through multiple relays. The answer is yes, Tor is safe to use and more secure. A common question is: why should one use Tor over Chrome or Firefox? Is it better? And, above all, is Tor safe to use? One of them is the Tor Browser.Īlthough popular for its excellent encryption and routing methodology, Tor Browser is often regarded with suspicion. Originally a web tool designed for anonymous browsing, Tor has now expanded into other applications too. It’s free, open-source, and used by millions of users around the world every day.

Tor, short for The Onion Router, is perhaps the easiest way to stay anonymous online.

How does tor browser work