In contrast, from the moment they go online, Tor users funnel data exclusively through a series of three random Tor nodes – the “entry”, the “relay” and the “exit” – each with its own unique encryption key. However, that open design also leaves users vulnerable to a variety of security holes.

By design, that network is largely open, allowing traffic to pass smoothly from one computer to another. Ordinarily when you visit a website, data is routed from your computer to your target through the global network of public servers that create the World Wide Web. Most importantly, thousands of volunteers scattered across the globe form the Tor backbone, creating a diffuse “under-the-radar” private network that scrambles data and combats eavesdropping and blocking. Introduced in 2002, several new versions of Tor have since been released, each tightening potential security gaps that governments might (or did) exploit. Since then, its support base has evolved to include, VOA’s parent agency – the Broadcasting Board of Governors. The Tor concept grew from highly technical research conducted by DARPA in the 1990’s and was originally funded by the U.S.

It’s complex and redundant, and that provides strong protection against government snooping. Think of it like this: just as onions are composed of many layers, Tor employs a nested web of private computers, called nodes, that route and encrypt your Internet traffic through the Internet. Tor is shorthand for “The Onion Router” with “onion” serving as a helpful analogy for how Tor works. Here’s what it is, how to use it, and how it might help you online. That’s because Tor rates among the most secure and effective ways of guarding your anonymity online, while also helping you evade government censorship. Tor is one of the oldest and most popular circumvention applications available.Īnd with good reason.

Onion router