Tor (The Onion Router) browser is a privacy-focused software program used by a variety of users, including journalists, political activists, and, in some cases, criminals. The Tor browser encrypts your data and sends it through several stops, which makes it harder for shady actors to track your online activity.
However, the Tor network isn’t immune to hacking and surveillance. There are still flaws in the system that hackers can use to collect information on Tor users. For example, in 2014, hackers used a weakness in one of the last stops to decrypt your data and identify the sites you visited.
Another way your Tor browsing can be compromised is through man-in-the-middle attacks, which can expose sensitive information like PII or 2FA credentials. While these aren’t necessarily a problem for the average Tor user, it’s important to consider this risk when using Tor.
Another common criticism is that Tor’s performance can be sluggish, which can lead to frustration for some users. This is due to the fact that your data must pass through multiple servers, which can slow down your connection. The best way to mitigate this issue is by limiting the number of extensions and add-ons you use on Tor. This can prevent a vulnerability from being exploited and will make the browser work better overall. is tor browser safe