Installing Tor

Want to stay anonymous online? Tor Browser is your go-to tool for private browsing. It hides your IP, prevents tracking, and blocks browser fingerprinting. Here’s how to get started:

Download Safely: Always download Tor Browser from torproject.org and verify its digital signature.
Install by OS:
- Windows: Run the .exe file after signature verification.
- macOS: Mount the .dmg file and move it to Applications.
- Linux: Extract the .tar.xz file and run the start-tor-browser.desktop file.
First-Time Setup:
- Choose Direct Connection or configure bridges if Tor is blocked.
- Set your Security Level to “Safest” for maximum privacy.
Privacy Tips:
- Avoid full-screen mode.
- Never log into personal accounts.
- Clear cookies after every session.

Tor Browser protects your identity by routing traffic through multiple relays. Follow these steps to stay safe online.

Configuring Tor Browser for Maximum Protection

Download and Install Steps

Get Tor Browser from its official website and confirm its digital signature for security.

Safe Download Process

Download the Tor Browser installer and its corresponding .asc signature file.
Install GnuPG software for your operating system:
- Windows: Use Gpg4win.
- macOS: Use GPGTools.
- Linux: GnuPG is usually pre-installed.
Import the Tor Browser Developers signing key.
Use GnuPG to verify the .asc signature.

“Digital signature is a process ensuring that a certain package was generated by its developers and has not been tampered with.” – Tor Project Support ^[2]

When verification is successful, you’ll see this message:
gpgv: Good signature from "Tor Browser Developers (signing key) <[email protected]>"

Once verified, follow the installation steps for your operating system.

Setup Guide by Operating System

Windows Installation

Verify the signature:gpgv --keyring .\tor.keyring Downloads\tor-browser-windows-x86_64-portable-13.0.1.exe.asc Downloads\tor-browser-windows-x86_64-portable-13.0.1.exe
Double-click the verified .exe file and follow the installation prompts.

macOS Installation

Verify the signature:gpgv --keyring ./tor.keyring ~/Downloads/tor-browser-macos-13.0.1.dmg.asc ~/Downloads/tor-browser-macos-13.0.1.dmg
Mount the verified .dmg file and drag Tor Browser to your Applications folder.

Linux Installation

Verify the signature:gpgv --keyring ./tor.keyring ~/Downloads/tor-browser-linux-x86_64-13.0.1.tar.xz.asc ~/Downloads/tor-browser-linux-x86_64-13.0.1.tar.xz
Extract and open Tor Browser:
- Navigate to the extracted folder and click start-tor-browser.desktop.
- Alternatively, run ./start-tor-browser.desktop in the terminal.
If the file isn’t executable, make it so by running:chmod +x start-tor-browser.desktopTo add Tor Browser to your applications menu, use:./start-tor-browser.desktop --register-app

Keep your operating system updated to maintain security. Tor Browser will automatically check for updates to ensure you’re using the latest version.

First-Time Setup

When you first open Tor Browser, you’ll see the “Connect to Tor” window. This screen includes key options to help you set up for secure and private browsing. Here’s a quick guide to get started.

Network Setup

The connection screen offers three main choices:

Direct Connection: Click “Connect” if you’re in the U.S. and have unrestricted internet access. This is the easiest option for most users.
Connection Assist: Use this if Tor access is blocked. It helps find working bridges to bypass restrictions.
Manual Configuration: Choose this for custom network settings tailored to your needs.

Once connected, check the “Quickstart” box. This saves your network settings for future sessions.

Advanced Connection Settings

You can tweak these settings based on your privacy needs:

Setting Type	Configuration	Best For
Direct Access	Standard connection	Most U.S. users
Proxy Setup	Enter proxy details	Corporate or restricted networks
Bridge Relay	Pluggable transport	Networks with Tor restrictions

If you’re using a proxy, make sure the settings match your usual network configuration. Not sure? Reach out to your network administrator for help.

Region Settings

Fine-tune regional settings to match U.S. preferences and boost your anonymity.

Date and Time: Set the date and time to the U.S. format (MM/DD/YYYY) in the browser settings. This minimizes the risk of exposing your timezone.
Language: Use English (US) as the default language and keep the default encoding.
Security Level: Click the shield icon and choose ‘Safest.’ This disables JavaScript, blocks third-party cookies, stops auto-playing media, and enforces HTTPS-only mode.

Security Settings Guide

Security Level Options

The Shield icon in Tor Browser lets you adjust security settings to balance privacy and website functionality. Here’s a breakdown of the levels:

Security Level	Features	Best For
Standard	All browser features enabled	Regular browsing
Safer	Disables JavaScript on non-HTTPS sites, limits fonts, and uses click-to-play for media	Everyday secure browsing
Safest	Disables JavaScript entirely, reduces fonts and images, and uses click-to-play for media	High-privacy activities or risky situations

To change your security level, click the Shield icon, go to “Settings”, and select your desired level. Opt for “Safest” when dealing with sensitive data or browsing in risky environments ^[3].

Safe Browsing Settings

Fine-tune these settings to strengthen your privacy (see ^[4]):

Turn on HTTPS-Only Mode.
Set your browsing history to never save.
Automatically clear cookies when you exit.
Disable access to your camera and microphone.

These adjustments provide an extra layer of privacy protection.

Identity Protection Tools

Tor Browser uses multiple relays to keep your location and identity hidden ^[1].

1. Circuit Switching

Tor automatically updates your connection’s circuit at regular intervals. You can also view your current route or request a new one by clicking the circuit diagram icon.

2. Identity Verification

Check for potential identity leaks using tools like coveryourtracks.eff.org or ipleak.net ^[4].

3. Connection Security

Use bridge relays to bypass restrictions and maintain your anonymity ^[4].

TorHunter Privacy Resources

TorHunter offers tools and information to help you stay secure and protect your privacy while using the Tor Browser. These resources are designed to provide practical, easy-to-follow guidance for safer browsing.

TorHunter Guide Library

Check out our detailed Guide Library, which includes instructions on configuring the Tor Browser, adjusting network settings, and safeguarding your identity. Each guide features step-by-step directions, helpful screenshots, and practical examples.

Security Training Materials

Interactive tutorials on network setup, managing your identity, and minimizing tracking risks
Checklists to confirm your privacy settings are properly configured
Videos showcasing how to use privacy tools and security features in everyday situations

Privacy Updates and News

Stay informed with alerts about new risks and updates to security features.

Head over to the TorHunter learning center to access these materials and improve your online privacy. For a quick overview of your Tor setup and privacy measures, continue to the Summary section.

Summary

Always download Tor Browser directly from torproject.org and verify its signature to ensure secure and anonymous browsing.

To enhance your security settings, follow these steps:

Set the security level to “Safest” mode. This disables JavaScript and blocks unnecessary ports.
Block third-party cookies.
Turn off technical reporting features.
Route all connections through Tor.

These measures strengthen your browser’s security. To maintain your anonymity, avoid these common mistakes:

Expanding the browser window to full screen
Logging into personal accounts
Skipping browser updates
Using unverified .onion sites

Keep your browser properly configured to safeguard your privacy. For additional guidance, check out TorHunter’s interactive tutorials and real-time alerts for updates and support.

FAQs

Why should I verify the Tor Browser’s digital signature before installing it?

Verifying the digital signature is a crucial step to ensure the Tor Browser you downloaded is authentic and hasn’t been altered. This process confirms that the software was created by the official developers and protects you from malicious versions that could compromise your security or privacy.

By skipping this step, you risk installing an unsafe version of the browser, which might expose your sensitive information or undermine your anonymity online. Taking a few moments to verify the signature adds an extra layer of protection to your online privacy.×

What risks should I be aware of when using full-screen mode or signing into personal accounts on Tor Browser?

Using full-screen mode or signing into personal accounts while browsing with Tor can compromise your privacy and anonymity. Full-screen mode may expose your screen resolution, which could be used for fingerprinting – a technique to identify and track users based on unique device details.

Similarly, logging into personal accounts directly links your activity on Tor to your real-world identity, defeating the purpose of staying anonymous. To maintain privacy, avoid these actions and follow best practices for secure browsing.×

How do I set up Tor Browser to access it in countries where it’s blocked?

If you’re in a country where Tor is blocked, you can configure the Tor Browser to bypass these restrictions using bridges or pluggable transports. Bridges are private relays that help you connect to the Tor network without being detected, while pluggable transports, like Snowflake, add extra obfuscation to hide your Tor traffic.

To set this up, open Tor Browser and select Configure Connection during the initial setup, or go to the Settings menu by clicking the hamburger icon (≡). From there, navigate to the Connection section and locate the Bridges option. Choose Use a built-in bridge and select a pluggable transport, such as Snowflake, to help bypass censorship.

These tools make it harder for network restrictions to block your access, allowing you to browse securely and privately.