Since the the exit node traffic is unencrypted, anyone (organizations, government, hacker, etc.) who is running an exit node can see your internet traffic (as long as you are not using an HTTPS connection, but that is a whole different story). Tor is definitely not a good choice for watching streaming videos (especially not high-quality streaming videos) or doing any other thing that requires a fast connection.Īnyone can set up an exit node to spy on Tor users. Since your data is routed through multiple relays, each of them holds a different bandwidth, you practically get the speed equal to the weakest link in the chain – the slowest relay on your route. The data on this last node is completely decrypted, so if you are not using an HTTPS connection your information will be totally exposed to the organization running the exit node.Ĭompared to a VPN – Tor is very slow. This node is the last one to handle your data before it reaches the final destination. However it is far from being perfect – By using Tor, you become exposed to a potential network vulnerability that is the exit node.

In addition, your data is encrypted while being passed between these intermediate nodes. Using this method your traffic cannot be analyzed while being transmitted. This technique makes it impossible for any one server to know where the data originally came from and what is the ultimate destination. These “hops” are actually the technique which helps keeping your identity safe with each node knowing only the IP address of it’s previous node and the IP of the next node. The same thing happens when the data is passed the other way – back to you. Your request will be passed between several nodes before reaching its final destination. Once you request information using the browser, it contacts a random Tor server, or node, which is then passes your request to the next random node and so on. The Tor network can be reached by downloading and installing their free browser. Primarily, Tor protects you against “traffic analysis,” which might reveal your personal identity and location by monitoring your data at different points between your computer and the websites you visit. “Onion” routers are ones in which your data is routed through multiple layers of security before reaching its final destination. The name “Tor” comes from the acronym of the original project in which it was made – “The Onion Router”.

Tor vs vpn