WHAT IS TOR AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Understanding the Tor Network

The Tor network, short for The Onion Router, is a system that enables anonymous communication online. Developed initially by the United States Naval Research Laboratory in the mid-1990s, Tor was meant to protect intelligence communications. Over time, it evolved into a public utility, now maintained by the non-profit Tor Project. The main objective of Tor is to preserve users' anonymity by routing their internet traffic through a globally distributed network of relays (nodes).

Tor's primary engine is its ability to 'onion route' data. When a user sends a request (such as viewing a website), the data is encrypted multiple times before it begins its journey. It is then sent through a circuit of relays:

• Entry Node: Knows the user's IP address but not the final destination.
• Middle Nodes: Pass the data along without knowing the origin or destination.
• Exit Node: Delivers the data to its target site, without knowing the original source.

This layered encryption—similar to the layers of an onion—in combination with route obfuscation makes tracing a user’s actions far more difficult than traditional internet traffic. For this reason, Tor is highly valued by individuals living in repressive regimes, journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious users seeking to protect their identity online.

Tor can be accessed using the Tor Browser, a modified version of Mozilla Firefox. The browser connects automatically to the Tor network and helps anonymise browsing sessions. Importantly, it disables certain browser functions (such as plugins) that could compromise anonymity. Users can download the browser directly from the official Tor Project website, and it is available for multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.

Using Tor, users can browse both the surface web and parts of the hidden web, known as the “dark web.” Websites hosted on the dark web use the .onion domain suffix and require Tor or a compatible service to access. These hidden services are not indexed by standard search engines and operate entirely within the Tor network infrastructure.

Despite Tor’s strengths in anonymity, it's not foolproof. Metadata, user behaviour, and browser vulnerabilities can still lead to deanonymisation. That’s why the community often recommends combining Tor usage with cautionary practices such as avoiding logins, disabling scripts, and not resizing browser windows.

In summary, Tor serves as a critical tool for enhancing online privacy, masking a user's location and usage from surveillance and traffic analysis. Designed for not only the privacy-savvy but also those in sensitive positions, it balances broad user accessibility with advanced security features.

Tor and Online Privacy

Privacy remains one of the foremost concerns in today’s digital landscape. As governments, corporations, and cybercriminals enhance their tracking capabilities, individuals searching for a measure of online anonymity often turn to tools like Tor. How does Tor contribute to safeguarding privacy, and what are its limitations?

Firstly, by routing traffic through several volunteer-operated relays, Tor obscures IP addresses and reduces the risk of activity being linked to a specific individual. Unlike traditional VPNs that can see and potentially log a user’s activity, Tor’s decentralised and layered architecture provides greater resistance to surveillance.

The anonymity provided by Tor is considered suitable for various legitimate uses:

• Journalists communicating with whistleblowers or sources under oppressive regimes.
• Activists organising protests or campaigns against authoritarian governments.
• Ordinary citizens concerned with broad internet surveillance and data harvesting.

Moreover, Tor also allows users to circumvent censorship. In countries where internet access is heavily restricted, Tor enables users to reach blocked websites or services. This has proven critical during political unrest, war, or widespread censorship events.

That said, Tor does not offer complete security. Traffic exiting the Tor network is decrypted at the exit node, making it vulnerable to monitoring—particularly if the connection is not encrypted via HTTPS. Furthermore, if users log into identifiable accounts (like Google or Facebook), anonymity is compromised regardless of how data was routed. Cookies, keystroke patterns, and language settings are other vectors for tracking even within the Tor ecosystem.

It’s also vital to distinguish anonymity from complete invisibility. While Tor helps mask your identity, it does not make browsing untraceable by default. Law enforcement agencies have successfully unmasked Tor users in the past by exploiting browser vulnerabilities or coordinating surveillance across multiple nodes.

As such, privacy advocates often suggest combining Tor with:

• A strict “no-log” policy VPN (used before Tor connection).
• Privacy-focused operating systems like Tails.
• Limiting browsing activity to non-identifying actions.

In the European Union, the use of privacy-enhancing tools like Tor intersects with GDPR compliance and personal data rights. Although not inherently illegal in most jurisdictions, Tor usage may raise suspicions or be flagged by network administrators in corporate or state institutions.

Ultimately, Tor is invaluable for enhancing online privacy—but also requires conscientious usage. Users must understand its operational model, integrate good privacy hygiene, and accept that even with Tor, no browsing activity is entirely without risk.

Accessing the Dark Web Safely

The dark web refers to online content that exists on darknets—overlay networks that require specific software configurations to access. Within the Tor network, the dark web is accessed through websites using the .onion domain, which are not indexed by conventional search engines and cannot be visited through standard browsers.

To access the dark web using Tor:

1. Download and install the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website.
2. Launch the browser and ensure it connects to the Tor network.
3. Enter a known .onion address or use a reputable onion directory like Ahmia to explore hidden services.

While the dark web has earned a reputation for illicit activity—ranging from drug sales to cybercrime—it also hosts privacy-focused forums, whistleblowing platforms (e.g., SecureDrop), and library resources unavailable elsewhere. Notably, organisations such as ProPublica and the BBC maintain .onion sites to distribute information to users in restricted environments.

However, dark web exploration entails significant risks:

• Exposure to illegal content either accidentally or intentionally.
• Malware infections from compromised or malicious sites.
• Law enforcement scrutiny as browsing patterns may be monitored.

To browse the dark web securely, you should:

• Never download files from unverified sources.
• Avoid engaging with forums or marketplaces promoting illegal activity.
• Use strong operational security (OpSec), avoiding any personal data or login credentials.
• Prefer read-only interaction—passive access is safer than active participation.

Cybersecurity practices are essential. Users are advised to deploy:

• Updated antivirus and firewall systems.
• A sandbox or virtual machine environment to test downloads if necessary.
• Encrypted communication channels (e.g., PGP) when corresponding within the dark web.

It’s worth noting that not all dark web use is suspect. Many users visit .onion sites for legitimate reasons tied to digital freedom. However, due to the inherently unregulated nature of this space, caution is indispensable. Search queries may lead to inappropriate or unsafe results, and not all .onion links are trustworthy.

Regulatory attitudes vary by country. While accessing the dark web is not illegal per se, participating in or facilitating illegal activities is prosecutable. To this end, responsible use of Tor and dark web resources involves understanding legal risks, being vigilant against scams, and placing digital self-defence at the forefront of engagement strategies.