Likewise, TOR usually isn't the solution when you're trying to avoid intrusive tracking, web filtering or Australia's metadata retention scheme. Running BitTorrent over TOR also risks choking the internet's emergency lane reserved for political dissidents for whom online security is literally a matter of life and death. You could end up with a strike on your record, depending on what lengths Australia's copyright police are prepared to go to track down people flouting the law. Not only would it be slow going, but BitTorrent file-sharing software sometimes ignores security procedures and leaks information that could be used to track you down. You certainly wouldn't turn to TOR as a way to download Game of Thrones on the down-low. Bypassing this can compromise your security.

The TOR browser also disables a lot of website features in order to protect your identity, which makes everyday browsing cumbersome. The public websites you visit are sluggish because all your internet traffic needs to zig-zag across the world and then zig-zag back to you. Think carefully about what you've got to hide, and from whom you're trying to hide, when choosing the best tool for the job.įor starters, TOR is slow, a lot slower than a decent VPN connection, because it bounces all your online communications around the world. TOR might sound like the perfect way for everyday people to cover their tracks, but it's usually overkill.

There's no such thing as true online anonymity if your crimes are heinous enough.

Law enforcement has had a tough time breaking down the door – although they've had a few high-profile successes, exploiting vulnerabilities in order to take down paedophile rings and online black marketplaces such as The Silk Road. As well as offering a seemingly secure way to visit public websites, TOR is also home to a vast network of illicit sites which are invisible to outsiders. TOR was initially established as a secure network for whistleblowers and political activists looking to communicate safely online, but it's evolved into the dark underbelly of the internet.

How safe is tor