What Is Tor?
Tor (The Onion Router) is a free, open-source anonymity network that routes traffic through three volunteer-operated servers (nodes). Each node only knows the identity of the adjacent nodes, so no single node knows both origin and destination. Data is encrypted in multiple layers, with each node removing one layer.
Originally developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Tor is used by journalists, activists, whistleblowers, and privacy-conscious individuals worldwide.
Tor vs VPN
Tor provides stronger anonymity than a VPN (no single entity controls all nodes). However, Tor is significantly slower (2-10 Mbps vs hundreds for VPN). A VPN is better for everyday privacy, streaming, and performance, while Tor excels at maximum anonymity for specific sensitive activities.
VPN + Tor (Onion over VPN)
Combining VPN and Tor prevents your ISP from knowing you use Tor and adds protection against compromised entry nodes. VPNWG can serve as the VPN layer in this configuration. Learn about privacy tools.