Tor, VPNs and Private Browsing

Tor, VPNs and Private Browsing

Tools for anonymous access, censorship circumvention, and digital self-defense.

Overview

When browsing the internet, your location, identity, and activity can be tracked by governments, corporations, ISPs, and surveillance tools. Tor, VPNs, and private browsing modes offer varying levels of protection to mask or reduce this exposure — though none are flawless.

These tools can help:

• Circumvent censorship or firewalls
• Protect identity during research or outreach
• Minimize tracking and profiling by websites and advertisers
• Safely access content in restricted regions

However, as always: **no privacy tool guarantees complete anonymity**. They must be used properly, and combined with good habits, to be effective.

Tor (The Onion Router)

• Routes traffic through multiple volunteer-run nodes to hide your IP address
• Accesses the ".onion" network for anonymous websites (also known as the dark web)
• Best used with the official Tor Browser

• • Pros:**
• High anonymity if used correctly
• Free and open-source
• Avoids central trust (unlike VPNs)

• • Cons:**
• Slower than regular internet
• Misuse (e.g. logging into your real email) breaks anonymity
• Some sites block Tor traffic

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)

• Encrypt your internet traffic and route it through a private server
• Hide your IP address from websites and local observers
• Good for defeating geoblocking and basic surveillance

• • Pros:**
• Faster and more reliable than Tor for streaming or downloads
• Good for unsafe Wi-Fi (e.g. cafés, hotels)
• Easy to set up and use

• • Cons:**
• You must trust the VPN provider — they can log your traffic
• Centralized — if compromised, your data may be exposed
• Free VPNs are often dangerous (ads, tracking, malware)

Private Browsing Modes (Incognito, Private Tabs)

• Prevent your device from saving history, cookies, or cache after a session
• Does **not** hide your IP, encrypt traffic, or prevent online tracking

• • Best used for:**
• Avoiding local history (e.g. shared devices)
• Signing into multiple accounts simultaneously

• • Not sufficient for anonymity or security on its own**

Use Cases in Activism

• Access blocked news or organizing tools in restricted regions
• Research targets or threats without revealing location
• Communicate or upload evidence under hostile networks
• Host content anonymously (via onion services or Tor bridges)

Disclaimers and Safety Notes

• **Tor and VPNs can be detected and blocked** in some countries — use bridges or stealth modes when necessary
• **Tor does not encrypt traffic outside the network** — use HTTPS inside Tor to stay secure
• **VPN logs have been used in prosecutions** — always research your provider
• **Don’t log into personal accounts or use identifying info** while using privacy tools intended to mask identity

Safer Practices

• Use Tor Browser directly from https://torproject.org — don’t rely on third-party apps
• Prefer VPNs with no-logs policies that have been independently audited
• Use HTTPS Everywhere or Tor Browser’s HTTPS-only mode
• Combine tools when appropriate: Tor over VPN (or vice versa depending on threat model)
• Don’t rely on browser add-ons alone for privacy

Limitations

• Slower speeds, especially on Tor
• May raise flags or trigger additional surveillance
• May not protect against advanced device fingerprinting or malware

Related Topics

• Operational Security Basics
• Metadata Removal from Files and Images
• Encrypted Messaging Apps

Resources and Further Reading

• https://torproject.org – Official Tor Project site
• https://privacyguides.org – Trusted VPN comparisons and privacy tools
• https://ssd.eff.org – EFF’s privacy and circumvention guides
• https://thatoneprivacysite.net – In-depth VPN comparisons

Legal Disclaimer

This page is for educational use only. Using privacy tools may be restricted or monitored in some countries. Always stay informed on your local laws, understand your threat model, and use privacy tools responsibly and ethically.