Tor, short for 'The Onion Router', is a decentralised network designed to protect your privacy by encrypting your web traffic and routing it through at least three randomly-selected relays before reaching its final destination. Each relay only knows the server immediately before and after it in the chain, making it extremely difficult for anyone to trace your activity back to your actual IP address or physical location.
How it works
Tor operates by wrapping your data in multiple layers of encryption, similar to the layers of an onion. Each relay peels away one layer, learning only enough to send the data to the next relay. This separation of knowledge means no single server can see both your identity and the website you're visiting.
Common uses
- Accessing websites without revealing your location or identity
- Protecting yourself on public WiFi networks
- Accessing information in countries with internet censorship
- Whistleblowing and investigative journalism
- Accessing the dark web and onion services
Important limitations
Tor protects your IP address and routing, but it does not encrypt data once it reaches its final destination. Websites can still identify you through login credentials, browser fingerprinting, or plugins. Tor is also notably slower than standard browsing since traffic travels through multiple servers. Using Tor can sometimes attract attention from network administrators, and some websites actively block Tor users.
Tor is available as a standalone browser or can be configured with other applications. It's developed by a non-profit organisation and is free to use, though funding comes from various sources including government agencies.