Am I totally anonymous if I use Tor? | Tor Project (2024)

Generally it is impossible to have perfect anonymity, even with Tor.Though there are some things you can practice to improve your anonymity while using Tor and offline.

Use Tor Browser and software specifically configured for Tor

Tor does not protect all of your computer's Internet traffic when you run it.Tor only protects applications that are properly configured to send their Internet traffic through Tor.

Web browsing:

File sharing:

Control what information you provide through web forms

If you visit a website using Tor Browser, they don't know who you are or your true location.Unfortunately many sites ask for more personal information than they need through web forms.If you sign in to that website, they still don't know your location but they know who you are.Further, if you provide: name, email, address, phone number, or any other personal information, you are no longer anonymous to that website.The best defense is to be vigilant and extremely cautious when filling out web forms.

Don't torrent over Tor

Torrent file-sharing applications have been observed to ignore proxy settings and make direct connections even when they are told to use Tor.Even if your torrent application connects only through Tor, you will often send out your real IP address in the tracker GET request, because that's how torrents work.Not only do you deanonymize your torrent traffic and your other simultaneous Tor web traffic this way, you also slow down the entire Tor network for everyone else.

Don't enable or install browser plugins

Tor Browser will block browser plugins such as Flash, RealPlayer, Quicktime, and others: they can be manipulated into revealing your IP address.Similarly, we do not recommend installing additional addons or plugins into Tor Browser, as these may bypass Tor or otherwise harm your anonymity and privacy.

Use HTTPS versions of websites

Tor will encrypt your traffic to and within the Tor network, but the encryption of your traffic to the final destination website depends on that website.To help ensure private encryption to websites, Tor Browser includes HTTPS-Only Mode to force the use of HTTPS encryption with websites that support it.However, you should still watch the browser URL bar to ensure that websites you provide sensitive information to display a padlock or onion icon in the address bar, include https:// in the URL, and display the proper expected name for the website.Also see EFF's interactive graphic explaining how Tor and HTTPS relate.

Don't open documents downloaded through Tor while online

Tor Browser will warn you before automatically opening documents that are handled by external applications.DO NOT IGNORE THIS WARNING.You should be very careful when downloading documents via Tor (especially DOC and PDF files, unless you use the PDF viewer that's built into Tor Browser) as these documents can contain Internet resources that will be downloaded outside of Tor by the application that opens them.This will reveal your non-Tor IP address.If you must work with files downloaded via Tor, we strongly recommend either using a disconnected computer, or using dangerzone to create safe PDF files that you can open.Under no circ*mstances is it safe to use BitTorrent and Tor together, however.

Use bridges and/or find company

Tor tries to prevent attackers from learning what destination websites you connect to.However, by default, it does not prevent somebody watching your Internet traffic from learning that you're using Tor.If this matters to you, you can reduce this risk by configuring Tor to use a bridge rather than connecting directly to the Tor network.Ultimately the best protection is a social approach: the more Tor users there are near you and the more diverse their interests, the less dangerous it will be that you are one of them.Convince other people to use Tor, too!

Be smart and learn more.Understand what Tor does and does not offer.This list of pitfalls isn't complete, and we need your help identifying and documenting all the issues.

Am I totally anonymous if I use Tor? | Tor Project (2024)

FAQs

Am I totally anonymous if I use Tor? | Tor Project? ›

If you visit a website using Tor Browser

Tor Browser
Tor Browser uses the Tor network to protect your privacy and anonymity. Using the Tor network has two main properties: Your internet service provider, and anyone watching your connection locally, will not be able to track your internet activity, including the names and addresses of the websites you visit.
https://tb-manual.torproject.org › about
, they don't know who you are or your true location. Unfortunately many sites ask for more personal information than they need through web forms. If you sign in to that website, they still don't know your location but they know who you are.

Does Tor make you completely anonymous? ›

Yes, Tor hides your IP, concealing it and making it difficult for anyone to trace your internet activity back to you. In addition to relaying your data through network nodes to hide your location and identity, Tor's onion routing uses multi-layered encryption to provide even more robust privacy protection.

Can employers see Tor? ›

When using Tor Browser, no one can see the websites that you visit. However, your service provider or network admins may be able to see that you're connecting to the Tor network, though they won't know what you're doing when you get there.

Can people see what you do on Tor? ›

Though Tor does hide your online activity and location, your ISP knows when you use the browser and may report your usage to the authorities, so interested parties can keep a sharp eye on you.

How do I browse anonymously with Tor? ›

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) With the Tor Browser

This will obfuscate your location enough that you'll be able to use Tor with relative anonymity. There are two ways you can combine the two tools: You can run your VPN first, then open Tor within it; or. You can open Tor first, then connect your VPN.

Is Tor actually untraceable? ›

While the Tor network is designed to provide anonymity and make tracking difficult, it is not entirely untraceable. Highly skilled individuals or organizations, such as government agencies, may have the capability to de-anonymize some Tor traffic using advanced techniques.

Can the government track you if you use VPN? ›

Can police track online purchases made with a VPN? There is no way to track live, encrypted VPN traffic. That's why police or government agencies who need information about websites you visited have to contact your internet service provider (ISP for short), and only then your VPN provider.

Can you be detected on Tor? ›

Tor tries to prevent attackers from learning what destination websites you connect to. However, by default, it does not prevent somebody watching your Internet traffic from learning that you're using Tor.

How to use Tor without ISP knowing? ›

Your Internet service provider (ISP) and local network can see that you connect to the Tor network. They still cannot know what sites you visit. To hide that you connect to Tor, you can use a Tor bridge.

Is it safe to use Tor without VPN? ›

Is it safe to use Tor without a VPN? While using a VPN and Tor together can help prevent any of the nodes from seeing your IP address, Tor is still extremely secure on its own, making it very difficult for anyone to identify a specific Tor user.

Do police track Tor users? ›

In conclusion, while TOR can provide a high level of anonymity, it's not completely foolproof. There are ways that law enforcement and other agencies can track down users on the TOR network, such as traffic analysis, exploiting vulnerabilities in the TOR software, monitoring exit nodes and using Honeypot nodes.

Is Tor safer than VPN? ›

Is Tor better than a VPN? Tor is better to use than or in addition to a VPN in situations where privacy and anonymity are paramount. VPNs are easier to use and don't reduce your internet speeds as much as The Onion Router, making virtual private networks more suitable for everyday needs.

What is onionize on Tor? ›

Onionize is a Docker container that automatically exposes other selected Docker containers as onion services.

How do I make Tor more anonymous? ›

By default, Tor Browser protects your security by encrypting your browsing data. You can further increase your security by choosing to disable certain web features that can be used to compromise your security and anonymity. You can do this by increasing Tor Browser's Security Levels in the shield menu.

How anonymous is Tor over VPN? ›

VPN over Tor: Best for strengthened anonymity

It permits access to sites that disallow connections from known Tor exit nodes. The VPN provider can't see your real IP address but only that of the Tor exit node, offering even more anonymity.

What is more anonymous than Tor? ›

Key Takeaways: Tor vs I2P

I2P and Tor are both decentralized and anonymous peer-to-peer networks. I2P is more secure than Tor, but generally can't be used to access the regular internet outside of services like email, chat and torrenting. Both Tor and I2P let you access the deep web.

Can you be traced in Tor? ›

If you visit a website using Tor Browser, they don't know who you are or your true location. Unfortunately many sites ask for more personal information than they need through web forms. If you sign in to that website, they still don't know your location but they know who you are.

Is Tor an anonymizer? ›

Tor can also provide anonymity to websites and other servers. Servers configured to receive inbound connections only through Tor are called onion services (formerly, hidden services).

Is Tor more anonymous than VPN? ›

Yes, Tor is generally considered to be more anonymous than a VPN. This is because Tor routes your traffic through a network of volunteer-run servers, which makes it more difficult for anyone to track your real IP address.

Why does Google block Tor? ›

Tor provides extreme anonymity by jumping from one IP address to another. Since people may use Tor for scraping, Google blocks Tor altogether. DuckDuckGo Search Engine is usually used in Tor Browser. Unlike Google it does not track you.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6401

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.