Bypass censorship and communicate anonymously through TOR
cristiangcel
- 4 minutes read - 768 wordsIn the information age we live in, data travels incessantly through telecommunications systems. The internet plays a fundamental role in ensuring free access to the content we desire and in allowing us to express our opinions freely. However, the “big brother” — governments or corporations — seeks in every way to limit freedom online. Today, thanks to tools like TOR, it is possible to escape censorship and online tracking while maintaining anonymity.
Anonymity on the internet is crucial not only for freedom of expression, but also for the protection of individual privacy, a fundamental right recognized in many jurisdictions. The ability to browse and communicate online without being identified allows users to freely express their opinions, even on controversial or sensitive topics, without fear of retaliation. This is particularly important in places where human rights are not respected.
The case of Edward Snowden brought global attention to the issue of mass surveillance and the violation of privacy by government agencies. In 2013, Snowden, a former contractor for the United States National Security Agency (NSA), revealed to the world the existence of surveillance programs that collect and analyze vast amounts of data from communications of American citizens and people around the world, highlighting not only the extent of the surveillance but also the lack of transparency and accountability from the institutions involved.
In 2025, approximately 12 years after those events, the issue remains controversial and relevant: states and large companies, through tracking, not only monitor what users do but also censor and limit free access to information available online. This has occurred, for example, in Italy with the censorship of “Project Gutenberg” and in more extreme cases with control projects like the “Great Firewall of China” in the People’s Republic of China.
One of the most effective methods for communicating anonymously is the use of TOR, a decentralized communication network that allows users to browse the Internet (and not just that, but also specific sites within the network with a .onion address) anonymously. Its operation is based on a system of “nodes” that route users’ traffic through a series of relays, making it extremely difficult to trace the origin of the connections.
To obtain TOR, there are two main methods: the first is to access the official TOR project website at torproject.org and select the platform on which to use the software. The second, useful in cases where access to the site is not possible, is to use GetTor; you simply need to send an email to gettor@torproject.org specifying your platform (Windows, macOS, or Linux). You will receive an automatic response with possible alternative locations to download the program. In any case, I recommend checking the cryptographic key to ensure that the software has not been altered by a potential attacker for malicious purposes.
With this software, as previously mentioned, you can not only browse traditional websites but also access Hidden Services: anonymous services within the TOR network that cannot be reached in any other way by a traditional browser and are not indexed by standard search engines. One of the most well-known alternative search engines that indexes some of these .onion sites, also filtering out “dangerous” results (in the sense of immoral or universally illegal), is “AHMIA,” accessible at the following address:
AHMIA Tor Search Engine (.onion link)
However, it is important to note that while TOR offers a high level of anonymity, it is not infallible. Users must be aware of potential vulnerabilities and take further precautions to protect their privacy online. It is essential not only to know how to use this tool but also to understand the best strategies to avoid providing personal information, both directly and indirectly: a good resource is to read the following page that provides essential information on what to do or not do with TOR:
Am I totally anonymous if I use Tor?
Despite today’s challenges regarding freedom, not only online but everywhere communication exists, the fight together for essential human rights remains a matter of fundamental importance.
Whether online or offline, it is important to find solutions and help each other for a fairer world: the reality of the Tor Project consists of volunteers and ordinary people who are committed to providing a vital service for those who cannot speak, read, or hear anything different from what their government propagandizes.
If you believe this is important, I encourage you to make a donation to the TOR project only through their official channels available on the official project website.