The Tor Onion Router

The Tor onion router is a web browser primarily used for anonymous internet surfing and protection against traffic analysis. Originally designed by the U.S. Navy, it aimed to protect sensitive government information.

Table of Contents

• How Does Tor Work?
• Tor’s proof-of-work mechanism
• What is Tor’s use in the blockchain world?
• Is It Illegal To Use The Tor Browser?
• Can Tor Browser Be Detected?
• Can The Police Track Tor?
• How to download Tor browser?
• Why is the Tor browser so slow?

Today, Tor Browser is synonymous with the dark web, illicit activity, and internet activists seeking to escape surveillance. While some users engage in illegal activities, many utilize Tor for legitimate security reasons.

In this article, we’ll explore what the Tor browser is, how it works, and its role in the blockchain world.

How Does Tor Work?

To grasp how Tor works, it’s essential to understand onion routing, the core technology behind the browser. This method utilizes a peer-to-peer overlay network to enable anonymous surfing through multiple layers of encryption. Users can bypass surveillance and censorship when using Tor.

The browser sends data through Tor servers to an exit node, where the data exits the network after undergoing various layers of encryption, making tracing its origin challenging. Tor does not track browser history or store cookies.

Websites on the dark web using the .onion domain are known as onion sites. These sites use Tor software to encrypt connections and facilitate anonymous communication, concealing ownership and location.

Tor offers three levels of security: the default level for user-friendliness, and two higher levels that disable some fonts and images for enhanced anonymity. This can result in slower internet speeds for the sake of privacy.

Tor’s proof-of-work mechanism

On August 23, 2023, Tor introduced a proof-of-work mechanism, similar to Bitcoin’s, to maintain user experience. This dynamic system prompts users to complete tasks when attempting to connect to an onion service under stress. The service ranks connections based on user effort, making large-scale attacks impractical while prioritizing legitimate traffic.

The proof-of-work system acts like a ticketing mechanism, disabled by default, allowing users to solve challenges before accessing services, proving they are real users, thus blocking bots and attackers.

Tor’s implementation differs from Bitcoin’s, designed specifically to secure the Tor network from attacks, with algorithmic similarities. Tor Project’s strategic communications director, Pavel Zoneff, highlighted the system’s dynamic nature, allowing client-bidding based on their proof-of-work effort.

What is Tor’s use in the blockchain world?

Anonymity plays a critical role in decentralized networks, forming the basis of blockchain technology. Tor enhances blockchain security and anonymity, helping users protect their transactions from third-party tracking. Although cryptocurrency transactions are often pseudonymous, Tor users can obscure their IP addresses for added anonymity.

For instance, Monero users can connect wallets to remote nodes via the Tor network, accessing transaction data while preserving IP privacy through Monero daemons connected to Tor hidden services.

Is It Illegal To Use The Tor Browser?

Using Tor is not illegal; it’s merely a tool for accessing the internet anonymously. The legality depends on user activity; while it attracts criminals, Tor itself is not inherently illegal.

Can Tor Browser Be Detected?

Tor provides significantly greater anonymity than standard browsers but is not foolproof. Some activity can still be visible to exit node operators, especially if users visit unsecured sites. Overall, while one’s original IP address is difficult to trace, caution is advised.

Can The Police Track Tor?

Tracking on Tor partly depends on law enforcement resources and training. While Tor protects user activity from ISPs, exit nodes can still be monitored. Authorities can trace users if they can connect the dots, often requiring sophisticated techniques.

How to download Tor browser?

To download the Tor browser, visit its official website and select the correct setup file for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, or Android). Follow the installation instructions provided.

Why is the Tor browser so slow?

Using the Tor browser can occasionally be slower than others due to the high user volume and the limited number of relays. The traffic is routed through volunteers’ servers worldwide, leading to potential bottlenecks and latency.

Users can improve speed by operating their own relays or encouraging others to do so. More details can be found in the official Tor browser blog about enhancing speed.