In this Tor + VPN Guide, we will show you how to combine the Tor Browser with VPN. Also, we will show you the best VPNs you can use with Tor browser network.
Using the Tor Browser with an excellent VPN service is complete privacy, security, and anonymity package. Using Tor ensures privacy; a VPN ensures anonymity, and a mix of the two should not be a bad idea.
When a connection is made over the internet, it is almost certain that there is a third-party spy. Hackers and even the government may get information about pages visited, location, and the IP address.
To hide this information, the combination of the Tor browser and a VPN is the ultimate solution.
What Is Tor Browser?
Tor Browser is a free software project that enables users to anonymize their online experience. The Tor Browser is good at hiding details of its users. This feature makes it a sturdy and well-downloaded app.
Tor is used daily by human rights activists, journalists, and government critics. Once a connection is made using the Tor Browser, the internet connection is encrypted and routed among multiple Tor servers around the world. Unless the entire Tor network is being monitored, (including the servers), third-party websites can’t see the users’ IP address.
The Tor Browser can also connect to onion sites or the Deepweb. Onion sites are only available on the Tor network, as Tor itself is otherwise known as the Onion Browser.
What Is A VPN?
A VPN, also known as a virtual private network, is an encrypted route between the user’s device and the internet. When web traffic is routed through a VPN server, it encrypts virtually everything about the connection.
Firstly, the user’s IP address is masked, then all sent and received data over the connection are also protected.
Before a VPN is used, it is essential to verify the authenticity of the VPN provider’s claims. While many VPN providers claim security, anonymity, e.t.c, it is deplorable that they later go on to steals their user’s information, selling it away.
Why Use Tor And VPN?
Every time a connection request is made over the Tor network, the traffic is encrypted and routed through several nodes known as the Tor network, which makes it highly secure.
When a new connection request is made, the traffic is routed through completely different nodes, which makes it impossible to be traced. The process is purely random and not controlled by any authority, so trust is not needed.
Using the Tor network may offer some degree of anonymity. Still, users must note that the entry and exit nodes are documented, and anyone could have access to it with permission.
Some countries block access to Tor Browser nodes, while others are well censored. For high crime rates countries, using Tor could mark one a criminal.
Using a VPN blocks the ability of anyone to discover how the is being made, as a VPN encrypts the data before or after it gets to Tor nodes.
READ ALSO: Dos and Don’ts of Using a Public Wi-Fi: Your Ultimate Guide
What VPN Should I Use With Tor?
The Tor Browser slows down internet connections because it routes it via multiple nodes. A VPN does a similar job. Combining a slow VPN with Tor results in an unbearable online experience
To avoid this, a fast VPN with high security with a good no-logs policy should be used to connect to the Tor network.
Here are a few VPN picks for Tor:
- Ivacy VPN
- CyberGhost VPN
- PureVPN
- TunnelBear
- Avira Phantom VPN
- Private Internet Access
- Surfshark
- F-secure Freedome VPN
- Kaspersky VPN Secure
- Norton Secure VPN
- Bullguard VPN
How To Use Tor Over VPN
This is the most common way to use the Tor Browser with a VPN. It involves connecting to a VPN client and encrypting the connection data before the data packets are connected to the Tor network.
This system is advantageous in many ways, as it hides the fact that the connection was made over Tor, and it prevents Tor from accessing the user’s IP address. Using Tor over VPN unblocks Tor, even where it is blocked. If the Tor Browser were to encounter a security flaw, a user accessing Tor over a VPN would be protected.
Another advantage of Tor over VPN is its ease. To set it up, the users connect to their favorite VPN and launch the Tor Browser.
Can I Route VPN Over Tor?
It is also possible to route the connection through Tor at first and subsequently connect it to a VPN. This is, however, more difficult and not worth doing.
READ ALSO: VPN Chaining: Can You Use Multiple VPNs at Once?
While the exit node does not have access to your connection data as in the Tor over VPN, the VPN service becomes empowered to view your connection details, which is riskier if the VPN provider is untrustworthy.
A trusted VPN can be trusted with this setup, but virtually all trusted VPNs, including the above-listed ones, can support VPN over Tor.
Conclusion
Tor is an invaluable tool for online privacy. If anonymity is desired, the importance of the Tor Browser cannot be overemphasized. Using the Tor Browser with a credible VPN service makes an unbreakable security firewall.
What’s more, it is as easy as getting a VPN subscription from above, connecting it to the device, and accessing the Tor browser right away.
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