Maximize Privacy with TOR: A Complete User’s Guide
Tor, an acronym for The Onion Router, is a free software that facilitates anonymous communication on the Internet. In my previous post titled “Understanding Tor Browser: Why You Need It and How to Use It” we covered what Tor is, what it’s used for, and how to install and use it. In this post we will discuss 7 tips to maximize Tor for the best privacy protection.
How to Maximize the Use of Tor for Best Privacy Protection
While Tor is designed to offer strong privacy protection out of the box, there are ways you can maximize its capabilities to protect your privacy even more:
1. Use HTTPS Websites
Tor encrypts your traffic so it’s anonymous within the network, but that encryption ends at the final relay before your traffic reaches its destination. This is why it’s a good idea to stick to websites that use HTTPS, where your traffic is encrypted from your browser to the site.
2. Limit Use of Browser Extensions
Browser extensions can potentially undermine your anonymity, as they can access your data and track your activities. The Tor Browser has a pre-installed NoScript extension, allowing you to manage and block JavaScript on websites. Using it can further enhance your security.
3. Do Not Use Torrents
Tor is not designed for P2P file sharing like BitTorrent, as this can expose your IP address to others, compromising your privacy. Tor also lacks the necessary capacity to handle high-bandwidth traffic from torrenting.
If you want to share files on Tor use its file sharing service OnionShare.
4. Regularly Update Your Tor Browser
Regularly updating your Tor Browser is essential to protect against the latest threats. The Tor Project regularly releases updates to fix bugs and security issues.
5. Avoid Opening Downloaded Documents While Online
Tor Browser warns you that downloading and opening documents, such as PDFs or Word files, can potentially expose you to non-Tor traffic, defeating the purpose of using Tor. If you must download a file, disconnect from the internet before opening it.
6. Use Tor Bridges
If Tor is blocked in your region, or if you want an additional layer of security, you can use Tor Bridges. These are Tor relays that aren’t listed in the main Tor directory, making them harder for ISPs to block.
7. Use Tails OS
For the ultimate in security, consider using Tails. It’s an operating system that boots from an external drive, and all its internet traffic is routed through Tor.
By following these tips, you can maximize your privacy and security while using the Tor Browser. Remember, no tool is 100% foolproof, and using Tor doesn’t exempt you from following basic online safety rules, such as using strong, unique passwords and being wary of phishing attempts. However, when used correctly, Tor can be a powerful tool in your privacy-protection arsenal. Stay safe out there!