Tor Browser is your gateway to anonymous internet browsing. This guide walks you through everything from downloading the software to using it safely. No technical experience needed.

What is Tor Browser?

Tor Browser is free software that lets you browse the internet anonymously. It hides your location and keeps your activities private by bouncing your connection through several computers around the world. Think of it as wearing a disguise online.

Regular browsers like Chrome or Firefox send your information directly to websites. Your internet provider, websites, and anyone watching your connection can see what you're doing. Tor Browser wraps your connection in layers of encryption and routes it through multiple servers before reaching its destination. Nobody can trace it back to you.

Why People Use Tor

You don't need to be doing anything secretive to want privacy. Journalists use Tor to protect their sources. Activists use it to organize safely in countries with restricted internet access. Regular people use it to avoid tracking and maintain their right to privacy online.

Tor also lets you access .onion sites, which are hidden services that only exist on the Tor network. These sites can't be accessed with regular browsers.

Downloading Tor Browser Safely

The first rule is simple: only download Tor from the official website. Fake versions contain malware that defeats the entire purpose of using Tor.

Step 1: Visit the Official Site

Go to torproject.org. This is the only legitimate source. If you're in a country where the Tor Project website is blocked, you can email [email protected] with your operating system in the subject line. They'll send you download links.

Step 2: Choose Your Operating System

Tor Browser works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android. Click the download button for your system. The file is about 80-100 MB, so it downloads quickly even on slower connections.

Step 3: Verify the Download

This step is optional but recommended if you're serious about security. The Tor Project provides a signature file that proves your download hasn't been tampered with. Instructions for verification are on their website. Most people skip this step, but it's good practice.

Installing Tor Browser

Windows Installation

Run the installer file you downloaded. Choose your language and installation location. The default settings work fine for most people. The installer creates a folder called "Tor Browser" wherever you choose. You can move this folder to a USB drive if you want to use Tor on different computers without leaving traces.

Mac Installation

Open the downloaded file and drag the Tor Browser icon to your Applications folder. That's it. Double-click the icon to launch it.

Linux Installation

Extract the downloaded file to a folder. Inside, you'll find a script called "start-tor-browser.desktop". Run it to launch Tor. Linux users can also install Tor through their package manager, but downloading from the official site ensures you get the latest version.

Tip: Tor Browser doesn't need to be installed to your system drive. You can run it from a USB stick and take it with you. This is useful if you're using a public computer or want to leave no traces on your main computer.

First Launch and Connection

When you first open Tor Browser, you'll see a connection screen. For most people, clicking "Connect" is all you need. Tor will establish a connection through the network, which takes about 10-30 seconds.

If Standard Connection Doesn't Work

Some internet providers or countries block direct access to Tor. If the connection fails, click "Configure" instead. You'll be asked if your internet is censored or if you use a proxy. If you're in a country that blocks Tor (like China, Iran, or Turkmenistan), choose "Tor is censored in my country". Tor will connect through bridges, which are harder to block.

Understanding the Interface

Tor Browser looks like Firefox because it's built on Firefox. The main differences are security features and the Tor connection. At the top left, you'll see an onion icon. Clicking it shows your connection circuit (the path your traffic takes through the Tor network).

The Security Level Shield

Click the shield icon near the address bar to see your security level. Tor has three levels:

Standard: All Tor features work. Some websites might run slower because JavaScript and other features are allowed. This is the default and works for most browsing.

Safer: Disables some website features that could compromise your privacy. Videos and some fonts won't work. Websites load faster and you're more protected.

Safest: Only allows the most basic website features. Many sites won't work properly, but you get maximum protection. Use this for sensitive activities.

Most people use Standard for regular browsing and switch to Safer or Safest when accessing sensitive content.

Your First Session

Try visiting a regular website first to see how Tor works. Go to a news site or search engine. You'll notice it's slightly slower than your regular browser. This is normal. Your connection is bouncing through computers around the world.

Search for "what is my IP address" in Tor Browser and compare it to your actual IP address (which you can check in your regular browser). They'll be different. The IP shown in Tor is your exit node location, not your actual location.

Visiting .onion Sites

These are sites that only exist on Tor. Their addresses look like random strings of letters and numbers ending in .onion. Start with known sites like DuckDuckGo's onion address or the official BBC News onion service. Never click random .onion links from untrusted sources.

Warning: Just because you're on Tor doesn't mean you're completely anonymous. Your behavior matters. Don't log into accounts with your real information. Don't download suspicious files. Don't share personal details. The browser provides the tools for privacy, but you have to use them correctly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Tor for Regular Accounts

Don't log into Facebook, Gmail, or other personal accounts through Tor. This defeats the purpose. You're telling those sites exactly who you are. If you need to access these services, use your regular browser. Tor is for anonymous browsing, not for accessing accounts tied to your identity.

Downloading Torrents

Never use Tor for torrenting. It doesn't hide your IP address properly with torrent clients and slows down the network for everyone. Use a VPN if you need to torrent anonymously.

Opening Downloaded Files While Online

If you download a document through Tor, disconnect from the internet before opening it. Many file types (especially PDFs and Office documents) can connect back to the internet and reveal your real IP address.

Maximizing the Window

Tor Browser opens in a specific window size to make all users look the same. If you maximize it or resize it, you become easier to identify. Keep the default size.

Installing Extensions

Don't add browser extensions. They can leak information about you and break Tor's protection. The browser comes with everything you need built in.

Security Settings You Should Know

NoScript

Tor Browser includes NoScript, which blocks JavaScript by default on Safer and Safest security levels. JavaScript can be used to track you or exploit vulnerabilities. If a site won't work without it, consider whether you really need to visit that site through Tor.

HTTPS-Only Mode

Tor Browser automatically tries to upgrade all connections to HTTPS. This adds encryption between you and the website. Never enter sensitive information on sites that don't use HTTPS (look for the padlock in the address bar).

Circuit Display

Click the onion icon to see your current circuit. Each website gets its own circuit. If a site isn't loading or you want a new identity, you can request a new circuit. This changes your exit node and makes it look like a different person is visiting the site.

Best Practices for Daily Use

Update Tor Browser regularly. The Tor Project releases updates to fix security issues. You'll see a notification when updates are available. Always install them.

Don't browse in Tor and regular browsers simultaneously. It's easy to accidentally use the wrong browser and break your anonymity. Close one before opening the other.

Clear your browsing data regularly, though Tor does this automatically when you close the browser. Nothing is saved between sessions unless you explicitly save it.

Be patient. Tor is slower than regular browsing. Accept this as the price of privacy. If you need speed, use your regular browser for non-sensitive activities.

When Tor Isn't Enough

Tor Browser protects your connection, but it doesn't make you completely anonymous if you're careless. Your internet provider can see that you're using Tor (though not what you're doing on it). Websites can tell you're using Tor. Advanced attackers with huge resources might be able to track you through timing analysis.

For higher levels of privacy, consider using Tor with a VPN, or use Tails OS (an operating system designed for anonymity that routes everything through Tor). But for most people, Tor Browser alone provides excellent privacy protection.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Tor Won't Connect

If Tor can't connect, your network might be blocking it. Try using bridges (configure this at launch). If you're on a restrictive network, you might need to use obfs4 bridges, which disguise Tor traffic as regular internet traffic.

Websites Don't Load

Try requesting a new circuit (click the onion icon, then "New Circuit for this Site"). If that doesn't work, the site might be down or blocking Tor users. Some sites block Tor because they associate it with abuse.

Everything is Slow

This is normal for Tor. If it's extremely slow, check your security level. Higher security levels can actually speed things up by blocking resource-heavy content. Also, avoid using Tor during peak hours in your timezone when the network is most congested.

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics, practice using Tor for regular browsing. Visit news sites, search for information, and get comfortable with how it works. Once you're confident with basic usage, you can explore more advanced features and security practices.

Remember that Tor is just one part of staying private online. Your behavior, the information you share, and the sites you visit all matter. Think before you click, and never assume you're completely untraceable.