How to Access the Tor Network

The safest way to access the Tor network is through the official Tor Browser, maintained by the Tor Project:

• Official download: torproject.org - always download from the official site, never third-party mirrors
• Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
• Based on Firefox ESR with built-in Tor routing and privacy protections
• No additional configuration needed - it connects to Tor automatically

Important: Never download Tor Browser from unofficial sources. Malicious versions exist that log your activity.

While Tor encrypts your traffic within the network, your ISP can still see that you're using Tor. For maximum privacy, connect to a VPN before launching Tor Browser (this is called "VPN over Tor" or "Tor over VPN"):

• Your ISP sees VPN traffic, not Tor traffic
• The VPN provider sees you connecting to Tor, but not your Tor activity
• The Tor entry node sees VPN IP, not your real IP - double protection
• Recommended VPN providers: Mullvad (accepts cash/crypto), ProtonVPN (free tier), IVPN

This is especially important in countries where Tor usage is monitored or restricted.

Once Tor Browser is open, configure the security level:

• Click the shield icon next to the URL bar → Security Settings
• Standard: All features enabled. Good for casual browsing.
• Safer: Disables JavaScript on non-HTTPS sites, some fonts and symbols disabled. Recommended for most users.
• Safest: JavaScript disabled everywhere, only basic site features work. Maximum security for high-risk users.

Start with Safer level. Switch to Safest if you're accessing sensitive content or operating in a high-risk environment.

Now you can access .onion sites - websites hosted exclusively on the Tor network. Here are some well-known, legitimate .onion sites to get started:

• DuckDuckGo: duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion - private search engine
• ProtonMail: protonmailrmez3lotccipshtkleegetolb73fuirgj7r4o4vfu7ozyd.onion - encrypted email
• The New York Times: nytimesn7cgmftshazwhfgzm37qxb44r64ytbb2dj3x62d2lnez7prd.onion - uncensored news access
• BBC News: bbcnewsd73hkzno2ini43t4gblxvycyac5aw4gnv7t2rccijh7745uqd.onion - BBC's Tor mirror
• Facebook: facebookwkhpilnemxj7asaniu7vnjjbiltxjqhye3mhbshg7kx5tfyd.onion - Facebook's official onion site
• SecureDrop: Used by 70+ news organizations for anonymous whistleblowing

If you want to create your own presence on the Tor network - whether it's a blog, forum, marketplace, or any web application - you need a server configured with Tor hidden services.

AnubizHost offers dedicated Tor hosting with pre-configured .onion domains, managed Tor setup, and 24/7 onion availability. We handle the infrastructure so you can focus on your content.

• Pre-configured Tor hidden services (v3 onion addresses)
• Offshore servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions (Iceland, Romania, Finland)
• Bitcoin, Monero, and crypto payments accepted - no KYC
• DDoS protection for .onion services
• Full root access with managed Tor configuration