What is the Tor Browser and how does it work?

The notorious darknet is not accessible with normal browsers. What is needed is the Tor Browser and our guide explains what makes it different from Chrome, Firefox and Co.

Viewing allowed: the Tor Browser is the access to the darknet.

The Tor network is used by around two million people every day. Compared to the open Internet, that's not much, and one reason is the supposedly difficult access.

What is the Tor Browser - and what is it used for?

The Tor Browser is based on Mozilla Firefox. The name Tor was originally an acronym and stood for "The Onion Router". The reference to an onion was not accidental, but should indicate that the Tor network consists of several layers.

• Thanks to these layers, all users can surf anonymously.
• Simply explained: all data packets are sent from node to node (proxy server), without a point being aware of the previous points. In addition, you get a random, anonymous IP address.
• In this way, it is impossible to trace.
• Nevertheless, there is no one hundred percent guarantee of security, because every system can potentially be abused by criminals, for example, through social engineering or other methods.
• You can not only enter the darknet with the Tor Browser, but also surf the normal Internet. The security is higher, but the speed is lower because of the many redirections.

Just like the darknet itself, the Tor Browser is not illegal. Consequently, you can simply download the Tor Browser package for free. The only decisive factor for legality is your behavior on the net - so with the appropriate caution, there is nothing to stop you from taking a look around the Darknet.