What search engine comes with Tor Browser and how does it protect my privacy? | Tor Project (2024)

FAQs

What search engine comes with Tor Browser and how does it protect my privacy? | Tor Project? ›

What search engine comes with Tor Browser

DuckDuckGo is the default search engine in Tor Browser.

Tor (The Onion Router) is a web browser that lets users access a network that anonymizes web traffic to provide private web browsing. Often used to access the dark web, Tor Browser hides IP addresses and browsing activity by redirecting web traffic through a series of different routers called nodes.

Tor is a network of virtual tunnels that allows you to improve your privacy and security on the Internet. Tor works by sending your traffic through three random servers (also known as relays) in the Tor network. The last relay in the circuit (the "exit relay") then sends the traffic out onto the public Internet.

Encryption. Tor provides you with enhanced online privacy and encrypts your traffic, so your activity can't be traced directly back to you. Hides your IP address. The default settings of Tor will hide your IP, so nobody can see your real location.

Tor Browser offers all the amnesic features of private tabs while also hiding the source IP, browsing habits and details about a device that can be used to fingerprint activity across the web, allowing for a truly private browsing session that's fully obfuscated from end-to-end.

When using Tor Browser, no one can see the websites that you visit. However, your service provider or network admins may be able to see that you're connecting to the Tor network, though they won't know what you're doing when you get there.

Is Tor's web browser illegal? In almost all countries, Tor is legal. Given that the Tor Browser enables you to reach the dark web, it is understandable that many people assume Tor is illegal. However, in most countries around the world, that is not the case.

If you visit a website using Tor Browser, they don't know who you are or your true location. Unfortunately many sites ask for more personal information than they need through web forms. If you sign in to that website, they still don't know your location but they know who you are.

BLOCK TRACKERS

Tor Browser isolates each website you visit so third-party trackers and ads can't follow you. Any cookies automatically clear when you're done browsing. So will your browsing history.

Can Tor be traced back to you? ›

Tor Browser prevents people from knowing the websites you visit. Some entities, such as your Internet Service Provider (ISP), may be able to see that you're using Tor, but they won't know where you're going when you do.

Today TOR is a not-for-profit organisation run by Roger Dingledine, Nick Mathewson and a number of volunteers. TOR volunteers are responsible for hiding the users' IP address by acting as an 'exit node' and using their IP address in the place of the TOR user.

While both Chrome and Tor Browser are updated regularly with security updates, Tor Browser is generally considered to be more secure due to its emphasis on privacy and anonymity. However, using Tor Browser does not guarantee complete security, as there are still risks involved, such as downloading malware.

Tor Browser is safe to use if you're browsing the same sites you would on the “clear web.” But if you browse . onion sites, use caution. Tor's encryption tries to keep your identity and destination secret, but bad actors can still find a way to identify you.

DuckDuckGo is the default search engine in Tor Browser. DuckDuckGo does not track its users nor does it store any data about user searches.

An antivirus software is used to prevent, detect and remove malicious software. Antivirus software can interfere with Tor running on your computer. You may need to consult the documentation for your antivirus software if you do not know how to allow Tor.

DuckDuckGo does not log, collect or share the user's personal information or their search history, and therefore is best positioned to protect your privacy.

You May Need an AtTORney. Just using Tor to browse the Internet is not illegal. The download is free, and hiding your IP address and browsing history is not, in and of itself, illegal. However, many of those that use Tor use it specifically for anonymity because they are doing something illegal.

Tor tries to prevent attackers from learning what destination websites you connect to. However, by default, it does not prevent somebody watching your Internet traffic from learning that you're using Tor.

Tor Browser for Android is the only official mobile browser supported and developed by the Tor Project. It is like the desktop Tor Browser, but for your Android mobile device.