The capabilities of internet technology continue to grow. So does the almost limitless access people have to information. While it has proven to reinvent the way we live our daily lives, it comes with some downfalls. Privacy has almost become a thing of the past as companies and governments track as much personal data as they can.
The need for anonymity for average people has never been higher, and developers are well aware of this need. You have different options for staying private while online, such as using a VPN service or browsers like Tor.
What Exactly is Tor?
At its most basic concept, Tor is an internet browser that is built to hide the private activities of its users. The browser accomplishes this through a process dubbed “onion routing.” Many volunteers around the globe have offered their computers for this purpose. Their computers work as servers or “nodes” for the network.
When using Tor, you connect to these nodes that direct the flow of traffic. Your connection travels through many of these nodes to hide where it’s coming from. By doing this, your online activities are safe and away from the prying eyes of companies and cybercriminals as they can’t pinpoint them back to you.
Tor is a handy tool around the world, especially in areas with restricted and monitored internet access. This browser was developed by a non-profit organization that is dedicated to privacy on the internet. It also receives funding from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. It should say a lot about the validity of the project. Tor fosters freedom of access in countries with strong censorship.
How To Use the Tor Browser
For anyone who has ever used Mozilla Firefox, this browser should seem familiar. Like Firefox, it has an intuitive and user-friendly interface. They have made it easy to download and use, as it is ready to go after the initial install.
Once you download and install it, you can use it as you would any other browser. Except you will stay anonymous when accessing your favorite websites. You may run into some functional issues at times, but it is a great way to keep your browsing private. It, however, is not the only use for Tor, as there is much more out there.
The Deep Web
Most people have heard rumors about this mysterious deep web existing outside of regular browsing. It suggests the deep web is full of illegal activity, which is quite the stretch. A large percentage of websites are located here, and they are quite dull.
Most of these websites are full of useless data and information. Data is what the internet consists of, so it is no surprise that massive amounts of it reside somewhere. Nothing is that much more exciting here, but unlike regular browsers, Tor does give the ability to access many sites there.
Keep Safety a Priority
Tor is going to do a great job of keeping things anonymous when using the internet. But there is more you can do to stay safe. A virtual private network (VPN) is another tool you can use to keep cybercriminals at bay.
What is a VPN? It works much like Tor. A VPN sends your traffic through a remote server before it reaches the website you want to visit. It also hides your IP address, but, unlike Tor, provides end-to-end encryption. Take a look into a premium VPN service to see the type of protection you can get. Here you can read more: https://nordvpn.com/what-is-a-vpn/
On top of the privacy from Tor, the right VPN will add another layer of confusion for anyone trying to track you. A VPN masks your original IP address before you even open the Tor browser, and it gives you a significant advantage. If Tor doesn’t even know your location, it would be difficult for anyone else to.
You Can Browse Privately
Most internet users wouldn’t have anything that they think they should hide. Yet, even the most basic of internet activity can lead to data tracking and privacy intrusion. It pays to take a few extra steps to ensure you can have some privacy back in your online life.
People who fight to keep online anonymity for everyone created the Tor network. If you find yourself tired of being tracked, Tor is the answer. Get your privacy back and start browsing with confidence again.
