Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable): A Guide to Anonymous and Secure Browsing
What is Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable)?
If you are concerned about your online privacy and security, you might have heard of Tor Browser, a software that allows you to browse the web anonymously and securely. But what is Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) and how does it work?
Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable)
Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) is the latest version of Tor Browser, a free and open-source web browser that uses the Tor network to protect your identity and activity from prying eyes. The Tor network is a system of volunteer-operated servers that route your web traffic through multiple layers of encryption and random paths, making it hard for anyone to trace your location or identity.
Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) has several features that make it different from other browsers, such as:
It blocks trackers, ads, scripts, and other third-party elements that can compromise your privacy or security.
It isolates each website you visit in a separate tab, preventing cross-site tracking and fingerprinting.
It prevents browser plugins such as Flash, RealPlayer, QuickTime, and others from revealing your IP address or other information.
It enables HTTPS-Only mode, NoScript, and other patches to enhance your privacy and security.
It supports onion services, which are websites that are only accessible through the Tor network and have a .onion domain name.
It allows you to access blocked or censored websites by using bridges or pluggable transports.
Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) is also portable, which means that you can run it from a removable media such as a USB stick or SD card without installing it on your computer. This way, you can use it on any device without leaving any traces or compromising your privacy.
Why use Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable)?
There are many reasons why you might want to use Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable), depending on your needs and preferences. Some of the benefits of using Tor Browser are:
You can protect your personal data from hackers, advertisers, ISPs, governments, or other entities that might want to spy on you or exploit you.
You can access information that is otherwise unavailable or restricted in your region or country, such as news, social media, blogs, forums, or whistleblowing platforms.
You can express yourself freely without fear of censorship, retaliation, or persecution, especially if you are a journalist, activist, dissident, or human rights defender.
You can support the development of a free and open internet that respects human rights and values diversity.
Of course, using Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) also has some drawbacks and challenges, which we will discuss later in this article.
How to download and install Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable)?
Downloading and installing Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) is easy and straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
Plug in your removable media and format it if necessary. Any filesystem type will work.
Navigate to the Tor Project website and download the file that matches your operating system (Windows .exe file, macOS .dmg file, Linux .tar.xz file) and save it directly to your media.
(Recommended) Verify the file's signature using GnuPG or another tool to make sure it is authentic and not tampered with.
Click the file and begin the installation process.
When the installer asks where to install Tor Browser, select your removable media.
How to make Tor Browser portable?
If you already have Tor Browser installed on your computer but want to make it portable, you can do so by extracting it from its archive onto your removable media.
Plug in your removable media and format it if necessary. You must use Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format for macOS devices.
Navigate to the folder where you have installed Tor Browser on your computer.
Copy the entire folder onto your removable media.
How to use Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable)?
Using Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) is similar to using any other web browser, with some differences and tips that you should keep in mind:
To launch Tor Browser from your removable media, double-click the icon named "Start Tor Browser" or "Tor Browser".
To connect to the Tor network, click "Connect" on the welcome screen that appears when you launch Tor Browser for the first time or after an update.
If you are in a country where Tor is blocked or censored, you can configure Tor to connect to a bridge during the setup process by clicking "Configure" instead of "Connect". A bridge is a special type of relay that helps you bypass censorship by disguising your connection as regular traffic.
If you have trouble connecting to the Tor network or accessing certain websites, you can try changing your circuit by clicking the onion icon on the toolbar and selecting "New Circuit for this Site". A circuit is a path of relays that your web traffic passes through before reaching its destination.
To browse onion services, which are websites that end with .onion instead of .com or .org, simply type their address in the URL bar as you would with any other website.
To manage your bookmarks, history, downloads, passwords, cookies, or other data stored by Tor Browser, click the menu button on the toolbar and select "Preferences". You can also clear all this data by clicking "New Identity" on the onion menu.
How to customize Tor Browser settings?
Tor Browser has several settings that you can customize according to your preferences and needs:
To change your security level, which determines how much protection you get from various types of attacks but also affects some website features such as JavaScript or fonts, click the shield icon on the toolbar and select "Standard", "Safer", or "Safest". The default level is "Standard".
To enable or disable features such as JavaScript, click the NoScript icon on the toolbar and select "Temporarily allow all this page", "Allow all this page", "Disable restrictions for this tab", "Disable restrictions globally", or "Options". The default setting is "Temporarily allow all this page".
To manage add-ons such as extensions, click the menu button on the toolbar and select "Add-ons". You can also install new add-ons from Mozilla's Add-ons website, but be careful as some add-ons may compromise your privacy or security. The default add-ons are HTTPS Everywhere , uBlock Origin, and Torbutton.
To change your language, click the menu button on the toolbar and select "Options". Then, click "General" and scroll down to "Language". You can choose from over 30 languages that Tor Browser supports.
To adjust your network settings, such as proxy or firewall configuration, click the onion icon on the toolbar and select "Tor Network Settings". You can also request a new identity or a new Tor circuit from this menu.
How to update Tor Browser?
It is important to keep your Tor Browser up to date to get the latest security and performance improvements. You can update Tor Browser manually or automatically:
To update Tor Browser manually, click the menu button on the toolbar and select "Help". Then, click "About Tor Browser" and check for updates. If there is an update available, click "Restart to update Tor Browser".
To update Tor Browser automatically, click the menu button on the toolbar and select "Options". Then, click "General" and scroll down to "Firefox Updates". You can choose to check for updates automatically or not. If you choose to check for updates automatically, you can also choose to install them automatically or ask you what to do.
What are the limitations of Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable)?
While Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) is a powerful tool for online privacy and security, it is not perfect and has some limitations that you should be aware of:
Tor Browser does not protect you from malicious websites or software that can harm your device or steal your data. You should always use common sense and good practices when browsing the web, such as avoiding suspicious links or downloads, using antivirus software, and keeping your system updated.
Tor Browser does not protect you from physical surveillance or coercion by someone who has access to your device or removable media. You should always use encryption and strong passwords to protect your data, and be careful who you trust with your device or media.
Tor Browser does not protect you from traffic analysis or correlation attacks by a powerful adversary who can observe both ends of your communication. This means that someone who can see both your connection to the Tor network and the website you are visiting can potentially link them together and deanonymize you.
Tor Browser does not guarantee complete anonymity or untraceability on the web. There are many factors that can affect your anonymity level, such as your behavior, your settings, your network conditions, your adversaries, etc. You should always assess your threat model and adjust your actions accordingly.
Tor Browser may cause some websites to malfunction or display incorrectly due to its security features or network latency. Some websites may also block or discriminate Tor users due to abuse or misunderstanding. You may need to disable some features or use alternative services in some cases.
How to troubleshoot Tor Browser issues?
If you encounter any problems while using Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable), such as connection errors, slow performance, broken websites, etc., here are some tips and solutions that may help:
Check your system clock and make sure it is set correctly. An incorrect system clock can prevent Tor from connecting or verifying certificates.
Check your internet connection and make sure it is stable and reliable. A poor internet connection can cause Tor to fail or slow down.
Check your firewall and antivirus software and make sure they are not blocking or interfering with Tor. You may need to add an exception for Tor in some cases.
Check your security level and make sure it is not too high for the website you are visiting. A high security level can disable some features that are required for some websites to work properly.
Check your circuit and make sure it is not compromised or congested. A bad circuit can cause errors or delays in loading websites. You can change your circuit by clicking the onion icon on the toolbar and selecting "New Circuit for this Site".
Check the website's onion service version and make sure it is compatible with your Tor Browser version. Onion services have different versions (v2 or v3) that require different levels of support from Tor Browser. You can tell the version by looking at the length of the onion address: v2 addresses are 16 characters long, while v3 addresses are 56 characters long.
How to get help and support for Tor Browser?
If you need more help or support for using Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable), you can find many resources and contacts on the Tor Project website . Some of them are:
The Tor Browser Manual, which provides detailed instructions and explanations for using Tor Browser.
The Tor Browser FAQ, which answers common questions about Tor Browser.
The Onion Services Guide, which explains how to create and use onion services with Tor Browser.
The tor-talk mailing list, which is a discussion forum for Tor users and enthusiasts.
The Contact page, which provides various ways to reach out to the Tor Project team or report issues.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned what is Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable), why use it, how to download and install it, how to use it, how to customize it, what are its limitations, how to troubleshoot it, and how to get help and support for it.
Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) is a powerful tool that allows you to browse the web anonymously and securely without installing anything on your computer. It protects you from trackers, ads, scripts, malware, censorship, surveillance, and other threats that can compromise your privacy or security online.
However, Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable) is not perfect and has some drawbacks and challenges that you should be aware of. It does not protect you from all types of attacks or adversaries, it does not guarantee complete anonymity or untraceability on the web, it may cause some websites to malfunction or display incorrectly, and it may require some configuration or troubleshooting in some cases.
Therefore, you should always use common sense and good practices when browsing the web with Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable), such as avoiding suspicious links or downloads, using encryption and strong passwords , assessing your threat model , and using additional tools or services that complement Tor Browser.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Tor Browser v 1.3.26 (Portable):
Q: Is Tor Browser legal? A: Yes, Tor Browser is legal in most countries and regions. However, some governments may try to block or restrict Tor users for various reasons. You should always check the laws and regulations of your location before using Tor Browser.
Q: Is Tor Browser safe? A: Tor Browser is safe as long as you use it correctly and responsibly. It protects you from many online threats, but it does not make you invincible or immune to all attacks. You should always follow the best practices and tips we have mentioned in this article, and avoid risky or illegal activities online.
Q: Is Tor Browser fast? A: Tor Browser is not as fast as other browsers, because it routes your web traffic through multiple relays that add latency and reduce bandwidth. However, Tor Browser is constantly improving its performance and usability, and you can also try some tricks to speed it up, such as changing your circuit, disabling some features, or using onion services.
Q: Is Tor Browser free? A: Yes, Tor Browser is free and open-source software that anyone can download, use, modify, and distribute. It is developed and maintained by the Tor Project, a nonprofit organization that relies on donations and volunteers to keep Tor robust and secure for millions of people worldwide.
Q: How can I contribute to Tor Browser? A: There are many ways you can contribute to Tor Browser and the Tor Project, such as donating money or resources, reporting bugs or issues, translating or localizing the software, creating or maintaining onion services, running or hosting relays or bridges, spreading awareness or education, joining the community or events, etc. You can find more information on the Tor Project website .
: https://www.torproject.org/download/ : https://support.torproject.org/ : https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/microsoft-edge-security-password-manager-security/ : https://owasp.org/www-community/Threat_Modeling_Process : https://www.torproject.org/get-involved/