A Tor Onion router is a web browser that is primarily used to protect against anonymous internet surfing and traffic analysis. Incidentally, the US Navy originally designed the TOR as a way to protect sensitive US government intelligence.
Today, Tor Browser is synonymous with Dark Web (also known as Darknet browser), illegal activities, and free internet activists who try to escape surveillance.
There are conditions for netizens who use Tor to hide illegal activities. However, substantial components use TOR for security reasons and have the purest intent to use.
In this article, you will learn what the TOR browser is, how Tor works and what its role is in the blockchain world.
How does Tor work?
To understand how TOR works, you need to understand how onion routing works, as this browser is the core technology it is built on. This form of routing is a peer-to-peer overlay network that allows users to surf anonymously. This technology deploys multiple encryptions to protect network users. Therefore, users can bypass monitoring and censorship.
When using TOR, the browser sends data to the exit node through the TOR server. An exit node is the point at which data leaves the network. The data receives several layers of encryption before moving to the next node. This process makes it difficult to track the origin of the data. This is the essence of browsing using TOR. Additionally, this browser does not track your browser history or store cookies.
Websites on the dark web that use the top-level domains of “.orion” rather than “.com”, “.net”, “.gov,” etc. are known as onion sites. Onion Router (TOR) software is used by onion links (sites) to encrypt connections and enable anonymous communication. Additionally, they hide ownership, location and other indicators.
TOR has a default security level and two additional levels. At the lowest level, it's more user-friendly, but less secure. At the highest level, the browser disables some fonts and images. These restrictions ensure that viewing is as anonymous as possible. Therefore, you may need to slow down the internet and clumsy surfing to win the award for full anonymity.
Tor's work proof mechanism
To maintain a smooth user experience, the TOR proof of work (the same as used in Bitcoin) defense system was introduced on August 23, 2023. Incoming client connections will perform a series of gradually difficult tasks. Onion Services ranks these connections according to the level of effort the client is. I think the implementation of workplace proof systems will block attackers by making large-scale attacks expensive and unfeasible and prioritizing legal traffic.
Although proof of work is disabled by default, it acts as a ticket system that adjusts by establishing a priority queue depending on the network load. Small challenges that a client needs to prove that he has “worked” must be resolved before accessing the Onion Service. The more difficult the puzzle, the more effort is proposed, indicating that users are not bots that try to exploit the system. Ultimately, the proof-of-work approach allows legitimate users to go to their destination while blocking attackers.
Currently, proof of work technology is used in both Bitcoin (BTC) and TOR, but privacy network implementations are very different, especially as they were created to protect TOR from attacks.
There are some major differences, but there are also commonalities in the algorithm. Pavel Zoneff, Strategic Communications Director of Tor Project, said, “TOR's demonstration system is dynamic. Rather than requiring clients to pursue static targets, it uses work proof efforts to the client. I'll ask you to “bid.” ”
What is the use of Tor in the blockchain world?
Anonymous is a big part of all blockchains, and therefore a decentralized network is built. TOR makes a significant contribution to the blockchain environment, primarily through improved security and anonymity. Many blockchain users use TOR to keep transactions secret and stop third parties from tracking their activities.
Cryptocurrency transactions are frequently pseudonyms, but users may be identified by their IP address. Users can hide their true IP addresses by using TOR to route Internet traffic. This makes it much more difficult for others to connect a transaction to an ID.
For example, Monero users can personally connect their wallets to faraway nodes by utilizing the TOR network. Users can retrieve transactional data while maintaining IP address privacy by installing Monero Daemon (Monerod) on their home or virtual private servers and making it accessible via TOR Hidden Service.
Is it illegal to use the Tor browser?
The use of Tor is not illegal. It's just a tool for anonymous access to the Internet. What you do with that anonymity will determine whether you engage illegally. Anonymity is the appeal of criminals who want to communicate or surf without detection. That said, there is nothing inherently illegal about using the Tor browser.
Can the Tor browser be detected?
TOR offers significantly higher anonymity than regular browsers. However, it is not 100% safe. Certain people, even some of them, can still see your browsing activities.
For recording, it is impossible to track the original location and IP address for the most part. However, node operators of an Exit node can view some of their activities when they visit the unsecured website. Therefore, please note that Tor also voluntarily offers your place.
Can police track TOR?
The answer is that it depends on their resources and level of training. TOR provides protection from Internet service providers who monitor activity through onion links. Staying anonymous on the Internet is primarily about how you use your browser.
Authorities can continue to monitor data from Exit nodes, and if they are well connected, they can all be combined to track individual users. It takes longer to track someone than the standard internet. Without a doubt, sophisticated law enforcement agencies like the FBI need to reveal who is behind certain activities. Therefore, we should not believe that it is essentially irrelevant for the TOR.
How to download the Tor browser?
You can download the Tor browser from the official website. Click here to access the official download page. Select the appropriate setup file based on your operating system (Wind, MacOS, Linux, or Android) and follow the installation instructions.
Why is the Tor browser so slow?
It may take longer to use the TOR browser than other browsers. With over 1 million users every day and over 6,000 relays to handle all traffic, the TOR network can be slower due to server burden.
Plus, there are always some bottlenecks and network latency as traffic is intentionally bouncing around volunteer servers around the world.
Operating your own relays and encouraging others to do so can help speed up your network. You can read the official Tor Browser blog detailing how to make your Tor Browser faster.
