The Onion Router

The Onion Router (officially “Tor”), is an open-source software for private internet browsing, with no digital footprint. It functions both as a browser and a server.

What is The Onion Router (Tor)?

The Onion Router, commonly known as Tor, is an open-source software that lets you browse the Internet privately without leaving a digital footprint. The name comes from the process the browser uses, called onion routing. Tor uses a process called layered encryption, routing communications through a global server network, hiding the user’s identity, location, and activity from surveillance. 

Using Tor conceals a user’s identity on the Internet,

effectively wiping away that user’s virtual footprints. 

It began with the Tor Project, initially developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in the 1990s. The need arose for increased privacy on the Internet as users realized that authorities could easily monitor their Internet activity. They believed that users should have the right to use the Internet privately and without censorship.

What is the Tor browser used for?

You can use the Tor browser to access the Tor network. The Tor browser is a gateway to the Internet and emphasizes user anonymity and privacy to navigate the Web without leaving a traceable digital footprint. 

Who are typical Tor browser users?

Typical users are journalists, activists, and whistleblowers who operate under regimes where Internet usage is heavily monitored or censored. These users might operate in oppressive regimes or protest environments where surveillance is rampant. 

The Tor browser facilitates access to the dark web – a portion of the internet not indexed by conventional search engines. Once users enter the dark web, they can find various services and goods, some of which may not be available or legal in certain jurisdictions. While the dark web is known for its focus on privacy, it also contains markets and forums where illegal or illicit activities may occur. Tor’s role extends beyond simple web browsing –– it’s a tool that enables users to access less visible parts of the internet while safeguarding their privacy and freedom of expression.

Threat actors can sell bank account information, stolen credentials and compromised

 personally identifying information on the dark web. 

How to use the Tor browser

• Download and install the Tor browser from the Tor Project’s website.
• Launch the browser and connect to Tor servers.
• Adjust your security settings to the highest level available.
• Access .onion sites from within the Tor network.
• Use antivirus software and employ a firewall to protect your browsing 
• Regularly update the browser 
• Understand the risk associated with exit nodes, as data is unencrypted at this stage.

How does Tor work?

Imagine that using Tor is like peeling an onion—layer by layer. That’s actually where the name comes from: The Onion Router. When you connect to the internet through the Tor browser, your data gets wrapped in layers of encryption and sent through a series of volunteer-operated servers, called nodes. Each time your data passes through a node, it strips away a layer of encryption so no single node ever knows where the data started or where it’s going.

This distributed network of nodes makes it extremely difficult for someone else to trace your internet activity back to you. 

Here’s how it works: Each Tor server, or relay, only knows the node’s location immediately preceding and following it in the chain. This setup makes it challenging for anyone watching from the outside to trace your data’s full path. When your data reaches its final destination, Tor safeguards your privacy as the browser re-encrypts your path multiple times. This extensive relay and encryption system lets you browse the web without worrying about being tracked or monitored. It’s like passing a secret through a chain of friends—no one has the whole picture except you.

Benefits of using Tor

Here are some key benefits of using the Tor network:

• Enhance user privacy: The main advantage of using the Tor network is its strong ability to enhance user privacy. By carefully encrypting and rerouting internet traffic through multiple layers, Tor helps protect against surveillance and unauthorized access to your data.
• Safeguard sensitive communications:  This level of privacy protects users’ identities, such as journalists, activists, or users wanting to access websites blocked in their area.
• Minimize digital censorship and increase freedom of expression: Some users can use Tor to bypass government firewalls or access websites blocked in their specific areas.
• Protect against traffic analysis: Tor’s design allows users to separate their identity from their online activity. Would-be trackers cannot access digital footprints nor trace or correlate specific online activities with particular individuals. This way, Tor encourages a free and open internet, championing the rights to privacy and free expression.

Risks and challenges associated with Tor

While Tor offers significant privacy benefits, the browser also comes with its own set of challenges and risks, mainly due to the anonymity it provides:

• Slower internet speed: Tor routes your traffic through multiple relays, which can noticeably slow down your internet speed. This trade-off is part of the cost for the privacy and anonymity Tor offers.
• Attracts illicit activities: While Tor is a safe space for privacy advocates like journalists and activists, its anonymity also attracts illegal activities and bad actors. This duality gives Tor a mixed reputation.
• Legal and ethical concerns: Tor’s anonymity raises legal and moral questions. Although Tor is legal in many places, it can draw unwanted attention from law enforcement. Using Tor could lead to legal issues in countries with strict internet censorship.
• Precautions are necessary: Given these risks, users must stay informed and take necessary precautions when using Tor.

Tor cyber security risks

Tor and cybersecurity are closely linked, especially when addressing the intricacies of the dark web and Tor markets. The extra anonymity is a double-edged sword because it hides sensitive communications and browsing activities from surveillance and provides an ideal space for cybercriminals to publish stolen data. Once on the dark web, users can facilitate activities, enjoying the lack of traditional engine indexes. Cybercriminals and law-abiding users can access an uncensored digital world with specialized software like the Tor browser.  

Tor markets are a prime example of how high levels of anonymity enable transactions involving illegal items like drugs, weapons, and stolen data. 

Tor’s encryption keeps identities hidden, which is great for privacy but problematic when law enforcement tries to track down illegal activity. How can we balance privacy with security and the role of anonymous networks in modern cybersecurity?

Legal status and controversies

The legal status of The Onion Router (Tor) varies significantly around the globe, reflecting a broad spectrum of attitudes towards privacy, surveillance, and internet governance. In many democratic countries, Tor is perfectly legal and recognized for safeguarding privacy, supporting free speech, and facilitating access to information. 

In nations with strict internet control and surveillance regimes, the authorities might restrict or outright ban the use of Tor, often under the guise of national security or crime prevention. 

Countries where Tor is banned – Iran, Russia, China, Belarus and Turkmenistan. 

Tor’s association with the dark web has been controversial, casting a shadow over its legitimate uses. While it enables journalists, activists, and dissidents to communicate securely, it also provides a layer of anonymity for illicit activities, including the sale of illegal goods, services, and cybercrimes. 

This dual nature has sparked debates on privacy rights and the ethical implications of anonymizing technologies. Governments and law enforcement agencies argue that Tor’s anonymity challenges crime detection and prevention, whereas privacy advocates champion its potential to protect individuals in an era of pervasive surveillance. These controversies highlight the ongoing struggle to balance the competing interests of privacy, security, and freedom in the digital realm.

If you’re concerned with these complexities or need a deeper understanding of how Tor impacts your business, consider talking to us about how Lunar can help. Lunar provides insights into the dark web, helping you avoid potential threats while understanding the broader cybersecurity landscape. Reach out to one of our data experts to explore how Lunar can enhance your business’s security strategy.