Tor Network

Introduction

The Onion Router (Tor) is an open-source software platform and network designed to enable online anonymity and privacy by protecting users’ identities and activities from surveillance and traffic analysis ^{[v6qnyo] [7pporp]} . Developed initially by the United States Naval Research Laboratory in the mid-1990s, Tor's core technology—onion routing—was made publicly available in 2003, with The Tor Project established as a non-profit organization in 2006 to oversee its ongoing development ^[7pporp] .

• The user’s request is encrypted multiple times.
• Each node along the route decrypts only its own layer before passing it on.
• Only at the final node—the exit relay—is the innermost layer decrypted before reaching its intended destination ^{[v6qnyo] [t5ap7r]} .

• Whistleblowers, journalists, activists under repressive regimes, and ordinary citizens use Tor for secure communications—to bypass censorship or protect sensitive disclosures without risking exposure ^{[z29zb2] [7pporp]} .
• At the same time, criminal actors exploit these privacy features for illegal activities such as operating illicit marketplaces or distributing contraband—a phenomenon most visible on what is popularly called “the Dark Net.” Studies show that criminal content makes up a significant portion of hidden services accessible via Tor; however, there are also legitimate uses centered around freedom of expression and privacy protection under oppressive conditions ^{[z29zb2] [7pporp]} .

• Using Tor often results in slower connection speeds compared to conventional browsing because all data is rerouted through several nodes worldwide.
• Anonymity relies not just on technical means but also on careful usage practices; neglecting operational security can still lead to identity leaks even when using robust tools like Tor.

Main Content

At its core, Tor employs a method called onion routing, where user data is encrypted in multiple layers before being sent through a series of volunteer-run servers known as nodes ^{[afc7rj] [988et1]} . Each node peels away one layer of encryption before forwarding the data to the next node (see ), ensuring that no single point knows both the origin and final destination. This process makes tracing internet activity extremely difficult—even for sophisticated traffic analysis attacks ^[afc7rj] .

A practical example is accessing websites using the Tor Browser, which routes all traffic through this network. Users can visit regular websites anonymously or access hidden “.onion” sites available only via Tor—a segment often referred to as the dark web ^{[lcug9w] [988et1]} . For instance, organizations like the CIA host .onion services so whistleblowers can communicate securely without revealing their identities ^[988et1] (see ). Similarly, activists in censored countries use Tor to bypass government restrictions and safely share information with global audiences ^[907y26] .

• Strong protection against surveillance and tracking
• Circumvention of geo-blocks and censorship
• Secure channels for whistleblowers or informants
• Ability for website operators to host anonymous services (hidden sites)

Current State and Trends

(See )

Future Outlook

Conclusion

Citations