TL;DR
Tor provides anonymity, but doesn’t make illegal activities legal. This guide helps you avoid getting caught up in criminal investigations while using Tor by focusing on good security practices and avoiding risky behaviour.
Using Tor Safely: Avoiding Legal Trouble
- Understand Tor’s Limitations
- Tor hides your IP address, but it doesn’t encrypt everything. Websites can still track you using cookies and other methods.
- Tor is slower than a regular internet connection. This can be a clue to others that you are using it.
- Tor isn’t foolproof. Law enforcement agencies have ways of de-anonymizing Tor users, especially if they make mistakes.
- Avoid Illegal Activities
- This seems obvious, but it’s the most important step! Don’t use Tor for anything illegal – downloading copyrighted material, buying drugs, accessing dark web marketplaces, etc.
- Even *viewing* illegal content can be enough to get you into trouble in some jurisdictions.
- Use HTTPS Everywhere
- Always connect to websites using HTTPS (look for the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar). This encrypts the data between your computer and the website, protecting it from eavesdropping.
- Install a browser extension like HTTPS Everywhere to automatically force HTTPS connections whenever possible.
- Disable Scripts
- JavaScript can reveal your identity and compromise your anonymity. Consider using NoScript or uMatrix browser extensions to block scripts by default.
- Be very careful when allowing scripts on websites you trust, as they could still be exploited.
- Don’t Use Your Real Email Address or Personal Information
- Never use your real name, email address, phone number, or any other personally identifiable information while using Tor.
- Create a new, anonymous email address specifically for Tor usage (ProtonMail is a good option).
- Be Careful with Downloads
- Avoid downloading files through Tor whenever possible. If you must download something:
- Scan it thoroughly with multiple antivirus programs *before* opening it, preferably on an isolated system (a virtual machine is ideal).
- Be wary of executable files (.exe, .msi, etc.), as they can contain malware.
- Don’t Torrent Over Tor
- Torrenting over Tor is extremely slow and puts a strain on the network. It also significantly increases your risk of being identified.
- It’s generally considered bad etiquette and can get your relay banned.
- Use a Bridge if Necessary
- In some countries, Tor is blocked by the government. Use a bridge to connect to the network through a censored firewall.
tor --use-bridges [bridge address] - Keep Your Software Updated
- Make sure your Tor Browser and operating system are always up to date with the latest security patches.
- Be Aware of Exit Node Monitoring
- Exit nodes are the last point in the Tor network before your traffic reaches the internet. They can potentially monitor unencrypted traffic.
- Always use HTTPS to protect your data from exit node monitoring.
- Don’t Re-use Identities
- Each new Tor Browser instance creates a new identity. Don’t reuse the same browser window or profile for different activities, as this can link them together.