If you want to browse the Internet privately, you can use Incognito Mode in Chrome, Private Browsing in Firefox, or InPrivate Mode in Microsoft Edge, for example. These modes will prevent other people using your computer from seeing your search history, but it does not prevent your ISP from tracking the sites you visit. You may want to remain anonymous on the Internet for a variety of reasons, and that's exactly what Tor Browser offers you.
Tor (The Onion Router) offers multiple layers of protection, thereby hiding your identity and location, and guaranteeing complete privacy of your online activities.
Install Tor browser
You need to start by downloading and installing the browser. Once the installation is complete, click the Finish button. After the first launch, the program will ask how you need to connect to the Internet.
In most cases, you can simply click the "Connect" button, but if you are using an Internet connection through a proxy server, then it will be preferable for you to enter your settings - for this you need to click "Configure".
Go online with Tor
While Tor connects through the relay, there may be a slight delay, and the program will warn you that the initial connection may take several minutes. As soon as the connection is established, the browser will be launched and ready to work.
Tor runs on the same code as Firefox, so if you've ever used the Mozilla web browser, you'll be familiar enough with Tor's interface. But even if you've never used Firefox before, it shouldn't take you long to get used to it, as it's not much different from Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Internet Explorer.
Choose your level of protection
Before getting started, it's worth noting that using the Tor Browser is a delicate balancing act between online privacy and usability. By default, the lowest security level is set, and even at this level, Internet access will be more secure than using any other browser.
If you want to improve your security, click on the green onion icon (located to the left of the address bar) and select "Privacy and Security Settings." In the new window, you can use the slider to adjust the preferred security level. That being said, you should keep in mind the warnings that appear about features that may stop working on the sites you visit.
Redefine how you are used to using the Internet
To get the most out of Tor, you need to start using the Internet a little differently. The first step is to change the search engine you use.
While talking about changing some of your habits, it is also worth mentioning the need to avoid installing browser extensions, as they can leak private information.
Try to understand how Tor works
As long as you are online and browsing information, Tor Browser avoids direct connections to websites, thereby allowing you to stay safe. Your connection goes through many network nodes on the Tor network, with each transition being anonymous.
It is this process that prevents websites from tracking your identity and your location, but it is also the reason for poor performance.
You can provide yourself with even more privacy by clicking on the so-called "onion button" (green onion icon) and selecting the "New Tor chain for this site" option. After that, the program will find a new path to this site.
Creation of a new personality
The function of creating a new thread only applies to the currently active tab. If you want a tighter security system, click the onion button and select New Identity. It should be borne in mind that in this case, Tor Browser will close and then restart, and you will continue to work with a different IP address.
When connecting to a site using Tor, pop-ups may appear warning that a particular site is trying to do something that could potentially be used to track you. The frequency of these messages depends not only on the sites you visit, but also on the privacy settings you choose.
Use HTTPS
For a safer and more anonymous Internet search, it is recommended to use HTTPS instead of HTTP. When using Tor Browser, you don't have to keep this in mind because it uses HTTPS by default for all sites. If it is possible to redirect you to a more secure version of the site, Tor Browser will definitely try to do so, but as an extra precaution, it is helpful to keep an eye on the address bar.
If you are connected to a secure site, you will see a green padlock icon. If not, click on the "i" icon for more information.
Use .onion sites
However, the most reliable way to connect to the Internet over Tor is by using onion sites. They are also known as hidden Tor services since they are not available to search engines. To find a site like this, you need to go directly to it - there are many onion libraries for that. Such sites can only be accessed using Tor, but you should be careful - it is quite common to find sites that publish information of illegal content, or sites that promote illegal activities.