Tor Browser is a free, open-source web browser that routes your traffic through the global Tor network, hiding your IP address and location from sites, trackers and network observers. Built on top of Firefox ESR, it ships with privacy-hardening patches, blocks third-party cookies and ads, clears history on exit, and forces HTTPS whenever possible. It is the easiest way to browse anonymously or to circumvent censorship, but—like any tool—it must be used correctly to be effective.
How it works (in one sentence)
Your request is encrypted in layers and bounced through three randomly chosen relays (entry → middle → exit), so no single node knows both who you are and what you are fetching.
Key protections you get out-of-the-box
- IP & location concealment – every site sees the exit node’s IP, not yours.
- Traffic isolation – each tab/domain uses a separate Tor circuit; trackers cannot correlate visits.
- Stateless browsing – cookies, cache and history are discarded when you close the browser (or you can store them only with your explicit permission).
- Plugin lock-down – Flash, Java and most risky extensions are disabled; only NoScript is pre-installed.
- Security Slider – choose “Safer” or “Safest” to disable JavaScript, remote fonts, media autoplay and WebGL on untrusted sites.
Typical use-cases
| Goal | How Tor Browser helps |
|---|---|
| Evade corporate/government firewalls | Exit nodes outside the censored network let you reach blocked sites. |
| Avoid price or news discrimination | Exit in a different country shows you the “local” version of pages. |
| Research without leaving footprints | Your real IP never touches the target server or ad networks. |
What it cannot do
- It does not magically encrypt the data you send to a site—if you log in over plain HTTP the exit node can read it.
- It does not stop you from deanonymising yourself: downloading and opening a DOCX that phones home, or signing into your personal Google account, links your identity to the Tor circuit.
- It does not defend against malware or phishing; you still need common sense and (if desired) an AV engine.
Quick start checklist
- Download only from torproject.org or your package manager; verify the signature.
- Install, launch, choose “Connect” (or “Configure” if you’re behind a proxy or censorship firewall).
- Leave the Security Slider on “Standard” for most sites; raise to “Safer” if you don’t need JavaScript.
- Use the onion-icon menu to request a “New Circuit for this Site” or “New Identity” when you want to change exit node.
- Do not install extra add-ons; they can bypass proxy settings and break anonymity.
Bottom line
Tor Browser is the simplest, fastest way to add a strong layer of anonymity to everyday surfing, but anonymity is fragile: keep the browser updated, stay on HTTPS sites, and separate your anonymous and real-world identities.