Tor Browser Download & Setup Guide
Tor Browser is the official way to access the Tor network. This guide covers downloading from the official source, verifying the download, configuring security settings, and setting up bridges if Tor is blocked in your country.
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Download from Official Source
Always download Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website:
- Official site: torproject.org/download
- Available for: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
- iOS users: Use Onion Browser (recommended by Tor Project) from the App Store
Warning: Never download from third-party sites, Google Play Store listings claiming to be Tor, or links shared in forums. Modified versions of Tor Browser exist that log your activity or inject malware.
Verify Your Download
Tor Project signs every release with a PGP key. Verify your download to ensure it hasn't been tampered with:
- Download the .asc signature file alongside the browser installer
- Import the Tor Browser Developers signing key
- Verify the signature with GPG:
gpg --verify tor-browser-*.asc tor-browser-* - You should see "Good signature from Tor Browser Developers"
This step is especially important if you're in a high-risk environment where your download could be intercepted.
First Launch Configuration
- Connect directly — If Tor is not blocked in your country, just click "Connect". Tor Browser will connect to the network automatically.
- Configure bridges — If Tor is blocked (China, Iran, Russia, some corporate networks), click "Configure" and enable bridges. Built-in bridges (obfs4, meek, snowflake) disguise your Tor traffic as regular HTTPS.
- Security level — Set to "Safer" or "Safest" via the shield icon. This disables JavaScript and other tracking vectors.
- Search engine — Default is DuckDuckGo. Also accessible via its .onion address for maximum privacy.
Bridges for Censored Countries
If you're in a country that blocks Tor:
- obfs4 — Most effective bridge type. Makes Tor traffic look like random data.
- meek-azure — Disguises Tor traffic as Microsoft Azure traffic. Hard to block without blocking Azure.
- Snowflake — Uses WebRTC to route through volunteer browsers. Very hard to detect.
- Request custom bridges at bridges.torproject.org if built-in bridges are blocked
Need Tor Hosting?
Now that you know how to access the Tor network, you can also host your own .onion website. AnubizHost provides Tor hosting with pre-configured hidden services, so you don't need to configure Tor yourself. Just deploy your site and we handle the Tor infrastructure.
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