Someone’s watching over your shoulders every minute and second of your life, yes that’s exactly what happens when you use the Internet without the necessary security precautions, and that’s exactly where this Tor browser review would help you out.
How to manage security and privacy in the new Microsoft Edge browser by Lance Whitney in Security on February 19, 2020, 4:42 AM PST There's a new version of Microsoft Edge in town based on Chromium. The Product Director of 360 Secure Browser, Tao Weihua, responded that 'Whoever has a mind to beat a dog will always be able to find a stick' and accused the whistleblower of 'smearing 360 on behalf of Baidu', which the whistleblower said was 'the worst professional response in history'.
In this Tor browser review, I’d discuss what the Tor browser is, how it works, why it’s considered safe(r) and other important points for the same.
![Avg secure browser Avg secure browser](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b4/Search-the-Deep-Web-Step-8.jpg/aid274832-v4-728px-Search-the-Deep-Web-Step-8.jpg)
The general internet browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and most others store a plethora of information about you and your activities, which websites you visit, how much time you spend on them, where are you browsing from, what are your likes and dislikes and everything else.
Wired published a full account of various people being tracked down solely based on the logs captured by sites and ISPs which proves that the data logged or stored isn’t anonymous as the companies claim and is potentially revealing or in some cases even damaging.
That’s massive privacy-invasion, but most people are okay with it and trade their privacy for “better browsing experience,” but honestly enough the reward (browsing experience) is far less compared to the price (personal information) we pay for it.
Now let’s get on with this Tor browser review and let me elaborate on the fact why Tor is considered is better and safer option to browse the Internet and how far justified the claims are.
Tor Browser Review: What is Tor Browser?
Tor stands for “The Onion Router” and is a browser which lets you browse both the general web (clearnet) as well as the Deep web (.onion sites).
It’s a project which was initially developed by the U.S military and Navy to protect U.S Intelligence in 2002, which was later publicly released as an open-source software for the privacy-concerned masses.
What makes Tor special and different from other browsers is that it doesn’t store any of your personal information such as location details, IP addresses, web activities or anything for that matter. It’s a browser made to prevent censorship and privacy-invasion by companies, agencies or individuals.
It also deletes sensitive information such as cookies and history everytime you exit the browser and also lets us setup SOCKS applications to use Tor to further enhance the privacy.
Additionally, it also has advanced routing and encryption algorithms which keep your digital tracks secure enough so they can’t be traced back to you which is one of the prime weapons in its arsenal.
In a nutshell, Tor is a privacy browser which doesn’t store your information, it also doesn’t log your IP address, activities or anything else and encrypts your traffic so basically, it’s a non-profit browser which respects and protects user privacy.
Although to elaborate the point better on what exactly Tor is, let me explain how does Tor work in this Tor browser review which should further clarify doubts about the browser.
How does Tor Work?
TOR says it protects your privacy, but “How” is the question, isn’t it? Even Google says they respect our privacy but trust me, they don’t.
So, the best way to explain the functioning of Tor that I’ve found over the years is the example of taking multiple routes and alleys in misleading or random directions before actually reaching your apartment in situations when you need to escape a tail.
Similarly, Tor too uses random “nodes” which connect from one node to another creating a twisted pathway from your start to end point making it impossible for any third-party to spy on you, or link the start and end points to you.
Also note that these nodes themselves aren’t connected to each other, meaning each node only knows its previous or next node or connection, but not the node which connected to the previous or next node, and hence the nodes too can’t complete the connection.
So to every node, or even your start and end points, it seems as if their next or previous nodes are the only nodes in existence and they’re totally unaware of the existence of the other nodes in the circuit.
This image should explain the functioning of Tor better:
Another fact which prevents the nodes from being linked to one another and finally to your start and end points is that an established circuit (complete node-connection) is used only for 10 minutes, once the 10-minute pass a new circuit is generated and used for your connections.
Hence it’s like you’re not only twisting and turning your route, but also changing the vehicle altogether.
How to Download Tor Browser (And Install it).
Despite its advanced capabilities, downloading or installing Tor is actually quite easy, and as this is a Tor browser review let me turn it into a complete Tor guide by showing you how to download and install Tor browser.
Simply head over to https://www.torproject.org/download/download (Tor download page) . Over there, select your operating system, Tor is available for:
- Windows
- Apple OS X
- Linux
- Android
- And iOS.
Although you can also download the Tor source code yourself and compile it if you’re an advanced user with the know-how to do so.
Anyway simply choose your OS and click on the download button to begin downloading Tor. (Please ensure you are downloading latest version of Tor Browser)
Once it’s downloaded on your system, installing it is the same as installing any other average program even though it’s anything but average!
Simply double click on the Downloaded file to initiate setup > Choose language > choose install location > click next!
It takes couple minutes for Tor to be installed, and then you can launch it either from your Desktop, or the location where you installed it.
Tor Advanced Security Features
https://htlddv.over-blog.com/2021/02/good-auto-clicker.html. As it’s a Tor browser review, it’s my solemn duty to bring out as many facts about the browser as possible.
So well, it has quite a few advanced security settings as well, here’s what they are and how to enable them.
Increase Security
Tor is secure and anonymous by itself, but you can increase the security level manually which may result in slightly slower speeds and lower browsing experience but the security won’t be compromised with.
To increase the security, click on the small onion icon just left of the URL bar, and click on “Security settings”.
On the new popup, slide the security bar from standard to safest. It’ll show you the consequences of doing so on the popup itself and if you’re okay with them and click ok.
Done!
Tor New Identity
Britains got talent games. It can be enabled by again clicking on the small “onion” icon, and then selecting “New Identity”.
It’ll instantly clear all your history and cookies, and provide you with a new Tor circuit for all your future activities.
Because of the new Tor circuit, your previous activities before clicking the “New identity” button can’t be linked to your future activities.
New Tor Circuit for Specific Sites
This again is an advanced security feature, alike the “New Identity” feature but slightly different.
It gets you a new Tor circuit but only for the specific site you’re on when you click the button. It also does not delete any of the information which the “New identity” button does.
How to Disable Javascript in Tor?
Javascript is one of the ways third-parties can intercept, harm or exploit your system and gather information about you. Hence it’s always advised to disable Javascript before using Tor.
In most cases, it’s disabled by default on Tor. Although you can manually do so by clicking on the “S” icon on the right side of the URL bar, and enabling “Forbid Scripts Globally”.
This not only disables Javascript, but any and all scripts which may harm you anyway. So, bottomline? Yes, Tor has included enough inbuilt security features and made sure there aren’t many loopholes left.
Tor Browser Speed
As it’s a Tor browser review, this section is mandatory as speed is a major factor for any Browser, isn’t it?
With Tor, it always has been an issue that it reduces speed, and quite significantly to be honest as the traffic is encrypted and routed via various nodes the speed will obviously be affected.
Although when Tor is used to browse the clearnet the speed is still not much effected but for the .onion sites it further degrades as those sites on the deep/dark web do not use the same servers as clearnet sites and aren’t as efficient in most cases.
For e.g. it took 5 seconds for Securedrop.org to load on the Tor browser on my internet speed, but it took 18 seconds for http://secrdrop5wyphb5x.onion (the onion version of SecureDrop) to load, note that I tested it on the same system, same internet connection and for the same site to bring the difference out more clearly.
Bottom line, Tor will definitely reduce your speed but in my personal opinion trading speed for security is a much better bargain than trading personal information for speed.
Why do you Need Tor?
Because if you don’t use Tor, ISPs and third party agencies/individuals have the capability to log your data, link it to you in real life and sell/misuse the data in various ways.
So, the first and foremost reason why you or I would want to use Tor is to protect your identities and activities online.
Apart from that, it can also be used to bypass censorships in situations such as when Facebook, Google or any other sites are blocked by your country or organization.
In some countries, browsing the internet isn’t up to your free-will and a lot of information is restricted, e.g. you may not be allowed to search for sex education, international laws or anything else which may dwindle the country’s policies or governance.
In those cases too using Tor would help you bypass the censorships and utilize the Internet to its fullest extent.
If you’re a resident of China, Tor is almost a mandatory requirement for you pertaining to China’s heavily restricted journalism and speech rights. Even I spent some days in China and that’s when I realized its need first-hand.
Whistleblowing is one of my most-favourite uses of Tor. If you’ve got sensitive information about a politician, organization or anything else which/who is powerful, you can’t exactly share it on Facebook or Twitter as there may be personal consequences.
That’s when Tor comes to the rescue; there are platforms like SecureDrop on the Tor network which not only allow you to share confidential information anonymously but are also monitored by major networks and news outlets such as the “New York Times” so yes your voice will not be lost in oblivion.
And then, one of the primary uses of Tor is browsing the Deep web! Well as it’s slightly a broader topic let me talk about it in details as you’re interested in this Tor browser review, you also are probably interested in the Deep web.
How to use Tor browser to Access the Deep Web?
The Deep Web is the larger part (around 95% of the total) Internet most of the general public remains either unaware or afraid of.
Well, the Deep web isn’t illegal, or as dangerous as the media portrays it to be, in fact, it has quite a few gems such as free patents for medicines, exposing documents about the govt. Or people who deserve to be exposed and a lot of other things.
Although most of the deep web sites worth visiting (which are both legal and useful) are on the .onion network, it’s a network which can’t be traced or tracked as easily as the clearnet (.com/.org/net etc) sites.
Additionally, the Dark Web too (the illegal, dangerous but smaller part of the larger Deep web) uses the .onion network.
And the .onion network can only be accessed using the Tor browser (or other onion compatible browsers, although Tor is the most).
Accessing the Deep/Dark web, always first start your VPN software (For high level security and anonymity) and wait until connection is established. (I personally use NordVPN ) Once Your VPN is connected, then fire up Tor and enter the URL of the site/hidden service you wish to visit. But as the URLs on the .onion network are long and random, e.g. random45124xi.onion. So you need Deep web link directories, Don’t panic, simply visit https://www.thedarkweblinks.com/, here you will find a huge list of dark web links in well categorised format.
It’s no different than visiting sites on the clearnet, simply grab a URL you wish to visit, paste/type it on the Tor browser’s URL bar and you’re on the Deep web!
Is it Illegal to use Tor?
One of the most frequently asked questions about Tor which I’d like to address in this Tor browser review is- Is Tor illegal?
Nope, not at all, not in the least!
Tor is just a browser. Yes, it does have advanced capabilities but even then protecting your own identity and activities isn’t illegal by any definition in any country.
Although yes, using Tor to browse the “Dark Web” (not the Deep web) may be considered illicit if not illegal, and if you use the Dark web to buy drugs, weapons or anything else which is illegal in that case the use of Tor becomes illegal.
But, you need to understand that it’s not the use of Tor which is illegal, it’s the activity which you performed which was illegal. Which is the same for any other browser, even if it isn’t Tor and Google Chrome or Firefox and somehow you are able to buy Drugs, Weapons or get Child Pornography even then it would’ve been illegal.
So bottom-line? As long as you use Tor for legal activities or simply to “browse” the deep/dark web and not perform any illegal activities such as buying/selling/procuring illegal materials, it’s completely legal.
Is Tor Safe?
So, I’ve explained in this Tor browser review how Tor encrypts and routes your traffic, and how it has inbuilt options to disable JavaScript and change your IP address as well.
But, is it safe? From a practical point of view? I’d say it’s as safe as the user using it makes it.
The statement may be confusing, well that’s so because as Tor declares honestly that it’s safe and anonymous but it’s not “enough”. For e.g. you must manually disable JavaScript, increase the security level, enable the new identity feature and stuff.
Additionally, even after doing all of those things you’ll need a VPN Service if you truly wish to be anonymous, because a VPN really adds that unbreakable layer of anonymity to your identity which Tor somewhat lacks.
So in a nutshell, if Tor is configured at its maximum security settings, and you’ve got a good VPN installed (I recommend and use NordVPN) yes, Tor can be pretty safe, military-grade safe to be honest.
Final Words on Tor Browser Review
So that’s a wrap as far as this Tor browser review goes folks, as for my final verdict I’ll only say that Tor is as close to a truly free, effective and trustworthy anonymity solution as exists in the current world scenario.
Yes, it’s not perfect and not completely anonymous either, but with the right settings and an additional VPN, it can be.
Do let me know your verdict on this Tor browser review, as well as what you think of Tor as a tool in the comments section.
A web browser is a standard application on every mobile phone, PC, and laptop for accessing the Internet. Be it a home user or a business owner; web browsers are the most common gateways for hackers to get into your system and hack your data. In this ultimate guide, I'll be covering steps on how to secure web browsing in most used web browsers around the world.
But first, let me tell you why.
Many web browsers like Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and others come loaded with tons of features. However, they may compromise the security that is essential for secure web browsing.
Ignoring to take the necessary steps to protect your web browser is a mistake every user is guilty of making at least once. These vulnerable web browsers are always the prime focus of software attacks by using malicious and compromised websites.
And, it gets even worse.
There are a lot of factors in play here that contribute to the vulnerability of web browsers.
Some of these factors include:
- Most Internet users tend to click on links without considering the risk it may pose.
- Web page URLs can be masked to resemble secure sites. As an example, hsbc.com may be visible as hs6c.com. In a hurry, you may not notice the minute details, and this fake site will steal your financial credentials.
- Often third-party software do not receive the necessary automatic updates.
- Many users don't know how to browse the Internet securely.
- Most websites ask you to download third-party add-ons or applications for full functionality. In addition to being risky, it may also attack your system with malware.
- Add-ons like ActiveX, Javascript, Java pose a threat to your system as they are vulnerable to malicious attacks.
Given these points above, it becomes necessary to learn how to secure web browsing to keep yourself and sensitive information securely over the Internet.
In this ultimate guide to secure web browsing, I'll be covering the following sections:
Now, let's get started.
1. Web Browser Features & The Associated Risks
Your web browser is the window through which hackers try to peek in and steal sensitive information like your data, bank account details, credit card details, etc.
Many surveys conducted have resulted that web browsers pose a massive risk where your web security is concerned. Consider this a low-cost method used by attackers to hack into your system. They may do so by injecting a trojan virus into your system or use spyware methods to take control of your information.
In this section, I'll cover various features of a web browser and their associated risks for better understanding and configuration of your web browser for a safe and secure web browsing experience.
Let's begin
If you're familiar with the technology, you'll know. ActiveX has now become an obsolete technology that is hardly ever used nowadays. Earlier, ActiveX was used to run applications or in-part some applications on your web browser. This functionality of traditional web browsers but in return increased the number of vulnerabilities for naive users.
If you're a Windows user, read this part.
Most Windows applications will install ActiveX tools even you never use them. One major problem with using ActiveX is how it increases your PCs possibility of an attack by 110%. It comes preinstalled with browsers like Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer.
Here's my tip:
Just deactivate ActiveX and enable it only for websites that are highly-secure and cannot do without it.
A programming and scripting language, JavaScript is used to improve the functionality and responsiveness of a website. Most banner advertisements, annoying pop-up ads and many other spam elements you see on the web page appear with the help of JavaScript.
Let me quickly brief you the problems JavaScript and other scripting languages bring in your system:
- Cross-Site Scripting: Also called XSS, this is a serious vulnerability in your web browser that can help the attacker to misuse the trust you may have with few sites you frequently visit.
- Cross-Domain Vulnerabilities: Many web browsers have implemented security models as a part of secure web browsing mechanism to prevent certain scripts from running on selected domains.
Scripting languages can be used to violate these security standards, and the attacker can get into your local machine to run commands without your knowledge. - Evade AV: Scripting languages can be used to bypass the Antivirus and other Intrusion Detection system. It will give the hackers ample opportunity to get ahold of your system.
A simple suggestion: Disable JavaScript in your browser and enable it for selected secure sites that you need and know can't function without it, for ex: Youtube.
Now I am not talking about cookies that you eat per se.
In web browsers, cookies are small files that are stored to keep your information like usernames and passwords, web history and the sites you frequently visit.
Now in all browsers, by default cookies are enabled. However, you should know there are two types of cookies: First-party and third-party. While the site keeps first-party cookies, you visit to keep session log, and more. Third-party cookies are often used by advertisers to track your online behavior and choices.
As a thumb rule, always delete cookies and then disable cookies in your web browser settings to enjoy a secure web browsing.
Many times you may opt for third party plugins or browser extensions for increasing the functionality of your browser or perhaps to block irrelevant ads and pop-ups. Although they help you block ads, even these add-ons can increase the risk of malware and virus attacks on your system.
Now, let's get to our next section.
2. Settings To Secure Web Browsing for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer
In this section, I'll tell you how to secure web browsing by configuring your web browser with settings and options. This article will help you reduce the vulnerability of your web browser and ultimately have a safer browsing experience.
As an additional read, I'll also recommend reading about security and privacy settings of each of the browsers installed on your system for updated information. For your ease, I'll be sharing the tutorial links as well.
Let's start with Google Chrome
In the top right corner, select the three vertical dots from your Chrome Web browser. Now select Settings.
If it's your PC, you may have signed in Chrome. Click on: Sync.
Now from the list of options, go down to Encryption section. Now check Encrypt synced data with your own passphrase. Now enter your Passphrase and Enter it again to confirm, click on Save. This setting will add a double layer of protection to your data and auto-fill information.
Generally speaking, if a hacker gets his hands on your password, they won't be able to get your synced data without knowing the passphrase.
Now move to Advanced Settings option by clicking Advanced.
In the privacy section, do the following:
Check the option that says 'Send a 'Do not track' request with your browsing traffic.' Now, this is a small tweak, but it'll disable most websites from tracking your browser activity.
Under subsection Content Settings,
Click on Cookies and Enable 'Block third-party cookies'.
Now go back to Content Settings and click on JavaScript and disable the Allowed button.
Now, this may cause you to remember a lot of your browser choices manually. But your attackers and annoying advertisers and spammers will not be able to snoop around for sensitive information.
It's all your choice!
Coming to Passwords and forms section, uncheck these two options:
Click on Autofill Settings and disable the On button.
Go back and click on Manage Password and disable the On button.
It is a highly recommended setting. It may cause you to enter the password every time you visit any site manually. But it will be worth the hassle as hackers won't find easy access to your passwords implementing it.
Now, from plug-ins section, select the option, Let me choose when to run plugin content. Free 3 line slots. This action will allow you to be selective with the plugins you want to run on your browser.
For additional configuration options, you may visit the Google Chrome Help to learn about control of privacy and security in detail.
From your Safari Browser, select Preferences.
Now click Privacy. Select Cookies and Websites Data. Check option Always block. This action will let Safari know to not allow any website to keep track of your browsing activity or store any information.
To remove already stored cookies and data. Click on Remove All Website Data.
You may want to do private browsing. Just click on File> New Private Window.
It is quite similar to the incognito window in Chrome. When you enter a private window in Safari, it doesn't keep track of your browsing history and also asks sites not to track you.
For additional settings, visit Safari Help here.
Are you a Firefox user?
Let's get your Firefox secure then.
Select the three vertical lines on the top right corner. Click Options.
In the General Section, Enable the radio button: Always ask me where to save files.
This action will avoid saving of any downloaded files onto the computer system without prior knowledge.
Now move to Privacy settings.
https://whqfn.over-blog.com/2021/02/perfectly-clear-complete-3-5-6-1148-download-free.html. The first option you'll see is Tracking. Click on the 'Manage your Do Not Track Settings.'
Now enable the option 'Always apply Do Not Track.' Click Ok.
In Security settings, check the following options:
- Warn me when sites try to install add-ons
- Block dangerous and deceptive content
- Block dangerous downloads
- Warn me about unwanted and uncommon software
These are just some of the ways to ensure secure browsing on Mozilla Firefox. To get into more details, visit Mozilla Support page and provide a safe browsing environment always.
Secure Browser Windows 10
Internet Explorer Settings for Secure Web Browsing
We rarely use Internet Explorer these days. However, if you're in love with Internet Explorer, you may visit Internet Explorer help page to learn more about configuring your web browser. Press F1 button to open help page. This action will prevent malicious hackers to get access to your browsing history and activities.
3. Add-ons / Browser Extensions Suggestions for Secure Web Browsing
As noted above, Browser add-ons or extensions are used to improve and enhance the functionality of existing web browsers. You may install these add-ons for an additional benefit.
1. AdBlock Plus
This is quite a popular browser add-on for disabling pop-ups and ads from appearing on your web browser. While you may select to disable JavaScript partially, this add-on will help to disappear annoying advertisements for a clean browsing experience.
It is another popular browser extension that blocks third-party cookies and browser activity tracking on every website you may visit.
I can't emphasize more about using HTTPS with every site URL. It ensures you are going to a secure site protected by SSL protocol on the web. This add-on implements HTTPs with every URL and website you'll visit on your browser.
4. General Tips and Hacks For Secure Web Browsing
Now, this is a common sense thing. An updated version of any software is improved to cover previous bugs and security loopholes. Your web browser is no exception. Always ensure that you have an up-to-date Web browser.
Best Free Secure Browser
Additionally, make sure to update any browser extensions or add-ons that you are using as well.
Like you change your toothbrush every three months, remember to change your passwords as well. Passwords, as a rule, should be made using a combination of alphanumeric keys and symbols.
Changing passwords frequently and using different passwords for all your email accounts reduce the chances of being attacked and compromising all your data at once.
An antivirus can detect any possible vulnerabilities and attack points in your web browser and system. It works by detecting 'bad patterns' and preventing them from accessing your data or blocking them altogether.
Invest in a quality antivirus for your system to limit the possibilities of an attack on your system.
4. Avoid using Public Networks or Free Wi-Fi Hotspots
Public networks or Wi-fi service that is available for free at many cafes and restaurants are the prime targets for hackers looking to get just a sneak-peak of vulnerable points of attack on your device.
Restrain from using these public networks to access sensitive information like net banking. And if you must, use private browsing for a layer of security.
Final Words on How you can Secure your Web Browsing
Which is the most secure web browser on the market? Answering it can be quite challenging and biased if I must say. However, with the advancement in technology and programming languages, the risks associated with using the Internet have also vastly increased.
While nobody guarantees a 100% safe browsing, these tips can help you attain a pretty close level of security on your web browsers for secure web browsing.
Did this article assist you? Or have I missed an important tweak?
Help others by sharing your opinions and suggestions in the comment section below.