How Tor Works

A user of the Tor network runs a proxy server on his computer. Internet-facing software can then access Tor through a SOCKS interface. Once inside a Tor network, the traffic is sent from router to router, the Tor software periodically negotiating a virtual circuit through the Tor network, ultimately reaching an exit node at which point the cleartext packet is forwarded on to its original destination.

Viewed from the destination, the traffic appears to originate at the Tor exit node The Onion Router (Tor) is a free software implementation of second-generation onion routing – a system which claims to enable its users to communicate anonymously on the Internet. [Via Wikipedia]

The best Tor-Based Tools

To connect to Tor network easily you need to use an application that performs most of the configuration steps. Here are the best tools that use Tor network to hide your IP address and achieve online anonymity:

1. Vidalia Tor Bundle

Vidalia is a cross-platform controller GUI for the Tor software. Vidalia runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux or other Unix variants using the X11 window system.

>> Vidalia Tor Download

2. OperaTor – Opera + Tor

OperaTor is a portable software bundle which allows you to browse the web anonymously. It combines the power of the Opera Browser, Tor, and Polipo. With OperaTor no data will be stored at the computer you plugged your portable memory into.

>> OperaTor Download

3. TorFox – The Anonymous Browser

Torfox is a simple secure portable open-source browser based on The Tor Project and Mozilla Foundation technologies: an anonymous browser which allows users to browse web pages hiding their IP address and other parameters which may be used to identify user data.

>> TorFox Download

4. Xero Bank Browser

xB Browser is a free and open-source anonymous web browser that can be used to securely and anonymously surf the internet, and bypass firewalls and website censorship.

The main advantage compared to other anonymous web browsers is that the xB Browser requires no configuration or technical knowledge in order to achieve anonymity. xB Browser is open-source so you can feel safe knowing what goes into our code. Additionally, it is even portable on a USB stick so you can take it to work, school, or on vacation.

>> xB Browser Download

5. Portable Tor

PortableTor allows you to connect to the Tor anonymous internet system from any computer with your flash or thumb drive. This allows you to browse the internet anonymously from public locations, such as internet hotspots, library, or school computers, and public terminals.

PortableTor has all of the features as the regular Tor, except without actually installing the application.

>> Portable Tor Download

6. Incognito

Incognito is an open source LiveDistro based on Gentoo Linux assisting you to securely and anonymously use the Internet almost anywhere you go, e.g. your home, work, university, favorite Internet café or local library.

Incognito can be used from either a CD or a USB drive and has several Internet applications (Web browser, IRC client, Mail client, Instant messenger, etc.) pre-configured with security in mind, and all Internet traffic will be anonymized.

>> Incognito Download

7. Tor Browser Bundle

The Tor Browser Bundle lets you use Tor on Windows without needing to install any software. It can run off a USB flash drive, comes with a pre-configured web browser and is self-contained. The Tor IM Browser Bundle additionally allows instant messaging and chat over Tor. If you would prefer to use your existing web browser, install Tor permanently.

>> Tor Browser Bundle Download

8. TorButton

Torbutton is a Firefox add-on that provides a button to securely and easily enable or disable the browser’s use of Tor. It is currently the only addon that will safely manage your Tor browsing to prevent IP address leakage, cookie leakage, and general privacy attacks.

>> TorButton Download

9. FoxTor

FoxTor is a Firefox add-on that provides an easy and convenient way to browse the web using the anonymous and encrypted TOR network. This offers greater privacy compared to regular proxy services or extensions.

>> FoxTor Download

10. TorChat

TorChat is a peer to peer instant messenger with a completely decentralized design, built on top of Tor’s location hidden services, giving you extremely strong anonymity while being very easy to use without the need to install or configure anything.

>> TorChat Download

11. Torcap

Torcap is a tool that allows any network application to connect through Tor, even if the overlying application doesn’t support SOCKS. Torcap works by injecting a DLL into every process running under the current user. This DLL then hooks Winsock API to intercept DNS lookups and TCP/IP connections.

>> Torcap Download

What do you think of our list of the best Tor-based tools? Do you know other good Tor tools?

Share them with us!

Make sure you also read: Pros and Cons of Using Tor.

You may not realize this but every place you visit on the internet is like leaving breadcrumbs for others to follow to learn exactly where you have been and what you did while you were there. This is very surprising to many people. Not only will others be able to see where you go, but many websites also grab your information and track your activities. However, there are tools that can prevent family members, co-workers, bosses, and friends that might use your computer from learning your activities along with stopping websites from tracking your every move. One such tool is FoxTor.

What is FoxTor?

The FoxTor is a software program that you install on your computer that will allow you to mask or unmask, so you can choose which websites will have the ability to track your activities. With FoxTor, you will need to be using FireFox as your browser or one as an extension in order to receive all the benefits that this tool has to offer.

FoxTor Installation

Once you install the add-on, you will be able to surf the internet in total secrecy by clicking an icon in the bottom left on your web browser. Being anonymous online will give you the advantage of privacy as well as security.

You can choose to change the preferences when you are masked so you will be able to protect your identity even better than most programs available.

While you are masked preferences that are changed include history will be set to zero days, no information will be saved, no passwords will be saved, if you download the history will be deleted immediately after the download is complete, no cookies are set, zero bytes in the disk cache, pop-ups will be blocked, no website will be able to download and install software, and you will be able to configure to use Privoxy.

If you wish to have your privacy kept in tack while online then the FoxTor will be one of the best programs you will ever find.

Be aware, FoxTor will work only if you also install Privoxy and Tor!