The Onion Router (TOR or the onion router project) is a privacy-focused network that enables anonymous communication over the internet by routing traffic through multiple layers of encrypted relays. Each relay peels away one layer of encryption, similar to the layers of an onion, making it difficult to trace the original source of the data.

TOR is widely used by individuals seeking to protect their privacy, such as journalists, activists, and those in restrictive regions, as well as by malicious actors.

Although there are ways to run the TOR browser on many different types of operating systems, it is best done on systems that focus on users’ privacy and security like Tails OS.

While it provides strong anonymity, it can also be used for illicit activities on the dark web (AKA darknet).