Virtually since the Internet emerged, the most commonly performed activity is navigate through it . In view of the fact that this is the best way to find online, all the websites, platforms, information and a host of things that makes the online world easier for you through the different browsers that have emerged for years and to this day, they continue to implement new functions to attract more and more users.
In this sense, one of the most relevant aspects when surfing the Internet, without a doubt, is anonymity and is that due to the dangers on the web, the The vast majority of users prefer to maintain their anonymity while using a certain search engine and, well, they surf the web in search of what they need. Thus, one of the most recognized and used web browsers that guarantees browsing anonymously, is Tor Browser that can be used on both Windows and Mac computers.
However, this search engine has been pointed out several times by slowing down the bandwidth of the connection considerably and also, has had other criticisms. Indeed, it is appropriate to know in detail, the most optimal alternatives to the Tor browser and that guarantee you full security from anonymity . Therefore, here are several of these.
While it’s true, Tor is a network that implements a technique known as “ Onion Routing ” which means “ Onion routing ” and It was created to be used especially by the United States Army, especially by the Navy of this country, in order to protect communications in that institution and also to manage to mask their addresses IP , which facilitated the theft of confidential data while gathering information on all missions.
After a while, the creators and designers of Tor Browser decided to launch the software as an open source free way to search through a high-profile VPN system and therefore This is a completely legal search engine.
This basically means that Tor Browser has had the main objective of changing the traditional Internet routing mode and thus, being able to guarantee the privacy and anonymity of its data users .
Which, many of these routes on the Internet do not achieve, because the common routing used to connect to servers on the Internet is direct . Which means that the process is simple and easy; for example, you connect to a certain web page and the route is as follows: your computer connects to your router, then connects to the routers of your ISP or internet provider and since then, are directly to the servers from the website .
So if someone intercepts the data packets at an intermediate point in this simple process, will know where they come from and where they are going, perfectly . Regardless of whether the data in each package is encrypted, since they are still visible .
In this sense, precisely that is what Tor Browser prevents with its Onion Routing . Since, is responsible for sending the data packet by a non-direct path when using several nodes and of course, it is a more complex process than the one explained above.
Which, calculates a more or less random route to the destination , making sure to go through several intermediate nodes, before sending the message and thus, then get the public keys of all of them when using a node directory. In addition, uses asymmetric encryption that allows you to encrypt the message as an onion (and therefore the characteristic browser logo), that is, the encryption is layered .
Taking into account that, will encrypt the message with the public key of the last node of the route and also includes encrypted instructions to reach the final destination. Finally, the entire data packet is encrypted again and with this, they ensure that the message can be decrypted only on the penultimate node of the entire route .
Advantages
Thanks to the fact that allows you to surf the Internet anonymously , Tor reveals several advantages that guarantee its users at all times and, of course, you need to know them.
Therefore, here are the most important benefits of using this web browser:
- It has the ability to hide the origin and destination of all the traffic you generate . Which means that nobody can know who you are, what you are looking for or what you observe on the Internet.
- Protects you from the websites you are looking for on the Internet, can identify your location >.
- With Tor you can skip censorship and enter blocked sites in your area .
- Works perfectly with web browsers, remote access and various apps based on the TCP protocol .
- It allows you to defend yourself from the usual analysis of the content you are looking for on the Internet .
- Prevents Third-party users see your Internet connection and know which pages you visit .
- It is a robust, stable system and best of all, is free .
- It is the main reference of anonymity technology , par excellence.
- The handling of this mechanism is absolutely simple .
- It is indicated for journalists, activists, Human rights workers and all those who bring secret information to light .
Disadvantages
It is no secret to anyone that all Internet services, as well as present various advantages, also reveal disadvantages that are important to consider when using each of these platforms . Therefore, Tor Browser is not far behind and also shows a series of disadvantages that you should know:
- The biggest against Tor Browser is his poor performance . Since, the information goes through so many relays that make it a very slow mechanism and even more so when it comes to audios or videos.
- Even if it guarantees so much security, It is not a reliable or invulnerable service at all . So don’t trust yourself.
- Experts say, Tor can be hacked easily . In view of the fact that even if you add an additional layer of protection, remains unrealized as a completely infallible measure .
- Through Tor, it is impossible to know who sent the information and so, many users rely on it to conduct illegal business . This, because the system encrypts the information at its entrance and only decrypts it at the exit of the network.
- Although government agencies cannot see your activity in Tor, similarly remains a alarm signal for them .
- The owner of an outgoing server can see all the information when it is decrypted before reaching the Internet , even though don’t know who the issuer is.
As we mentioned initially, it is good to know other alternatives to Tor, in detail. So we have performed an analysis of the 20 best browsers that ensure excellent assistance and you can try another option other than Tor Browser , below its most relevant features:
Yandex
To begin, we recommend this browser that is estimated as the leading search engine in Russia and is perhaps, the most recognized Tor alternative worldwide . Thanks to that, Yandex also issues the ability to surf the net anonymously and securely .
Therefore, it guarantees you the impediment of any kind of tracking and if that were not enough, it has a function that allows all users, to scan any type of file in search of malware .
For its part, Yandex also offers Wi-Fi protection , since if you connect through open Wi-Fi networks, the same system is responsible for encrypting traffic between HTTP sites and the network, automatically . Finally, it is an alternative available for Windows (from version 8 onwards), MacOS and Linux .
Disconnect
is considered a faster option than Tor itself , to surf the Internet from anonymity. Thus, Disconnect is a browser whose main objective is to protect your IP address and all your personal information , because it uses a mechanism through which you disconnect completely from the sites that try to track your data personal, anyway.
Also, has a basic service that is free and from it, its users can obtain optimal protection but for a single browser. Thus, Disconnect also has the ability to block all sites that try to infringe your private information and therefore, it is a good option for individuals, professionals and companies. On the other hand, also offers a Pro version and another Premium version .
The pro version provides better performance and issues faster. Now, the Premium version is distinguished by ensuring Wi-Fi security.
I2P
Available for Windows and Mac , this is another of the most famous Tor alternatives worldwide. Mainly, because allows browsing anonymously and free of charge to all its users . In addition, it is a browser designed for this, especially, and therefore it is also identified as “ The Invisible Internet Project ” or what it means “ Invisible Internet Project “.
Thus, I2P is responsible for encrypting all network traffic through a layer that manages to create within UDP and TCP / IP , thanks to public and private keys.
Additionally, makes use of Dark Net for anonymous browsing and with this, encrypts the information in layers, just as it does from end to end . Which means that is a very efficient and secure open source tool .
Comodo Ice Dragon
It is a search engine that is based on the Firefox base code and provides detection for Firefox coded add-on installations . It is also considered an excellent Tor alternative, because emits a completely secure anonymous browsing experience and best of all, it does this along with a much faster Internet speed than the of other solutions.
It uses the integrated DNS service and allows to scan all web pages for viruses and malware through “SiteInspector” . Added to this, it is compatible with Firefox extensions and add-ons, as well as Windows and Mac. It also has a perfect integration to social networks and thus, it gives the ease of sharing a website by via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn .
Whonix
It is a web browser compatible with Windows, MacOS, Linux and Qubes that guarantees timely assistance regarding anonymous and private browsing on the Internet . Since, the service is responsible for hiding your IP address throughout your activity , that is, while browsing the Internet. It has also been designed as a virtual machine and although it is not well known, it has been the ideal solution for various users.
In reference to its operation, Whonix makes use of a unique network that is identified as “ Whonix-Workstation ” and this is the same one that runs on the private system. Thus, one of the two virtual network interfaces; the other is Whonix-Gateway that connects to the Tor network . Which basically means that is a Tor-based service .
FreeNet
Refers to another ideal solution to replace Tor services and surf the Internet anonymously , thanks to its compatibility with OpenNet and DarkNet technologies, which work for your privacy and security in the web. In addition to this, this platform does not have a central server and for that reason, makes it impossible for intruders to analyze network traffic, so you cannot be hacked .
FreeNet makes use of end-to-end encryption , in order to route all shared data, through a series of nodes and also, does not allow tracking the location of your users .
Taking into account that apart from that, not even the volunteers who maintain this platform can obtain access to their users’ personal information or its location, because is such a protected program .
Epic Privacy Browser
Although it is based on Google Chrome and not Tor, similarly this search engine is a great alternative for Tor Browser because it always maintains the privacy of its users . This, thanks to the fact that Epic Privacy Browser facilitates the majority of security and privacy add-ons that a web browser should display, starting because manages to block trackers , does not save your history and neither allows third parties to store cookies on the platform .
Also, this browser allows you to connect from a proxy with just one click and does not add an auto-complete forms feature . Added to this, URLs are not checked, eliminates automatic updates , there are no alternative error pages, there are no suggestions in the address bar when not sending any data > and the installation date / time record is deleted.
SRWare Iron
Among other ideal solutions, we find SRWare Iron which is a search engine completely committed to the privacy of each of its users . This, as well as the aforementioned alternative, is based on Chromium and is estimated to show very few modifications regarding it.
However, manages to remove a URL crawler that usually includes Chrome and this guarantees optimal data privacy . In sum, it is considered a mechanism that focuses on suppressing some Google practices that are generally seen as disrespectful with respect to information security and privacy .
Since, also deletes the suggestions in the address bar . Finally, it should be noted that it is fully supported by Windows and MacOS computers.
Hornet
Although not famous, this solution is very suitable for surfing the web in a safe and absolutely anonymous way and also looks like an excellent alternative to Tor, given that it presents the ability to enable very high speeds ; something that Tor does not achieve.
It should also be noted that in addition to perfectly maintaining the anonymity of each of its users, the browser uses new techniques so that third parties cannot track that user on the network in any way .
In short, Hornet uses powerful symmetric encryption , as does the encryption of each packet individually and with this, greatly maximizes security during handover. information. Bearing in mind that for greater benefit, Hornet does not use the recognized VPNs or virtual tunnels , which cause traffic processing to be more expensive.
UltraSurf
It is a security tool that works as a proxy and is characterized as an ideal alternative to Tor Browser, as many experts have recommended it. Thus, this manages to keep each user’s data secure by replacing the IP address of the computer with a different one , so that it is not possible to track the data or the location of the people >.
In reference to its most common uses, UltraSurf has been used over time to perfectly encrypt online communications , protect user security when using a public Wi-Fi connection and also manages to skip the censorship found on the Internet. The service delete browsing history and cookies at all times .
TunnelBear
This is an easy-to-use VPN that works perfectly as an ideal alternative to the anonymous Tor browser. Given that, facilitates anonymous Internet browsing and can be used to circumvent the regulation and configuration of traffic that is commonly implemented by Internet providers.