Thor logo next to Linux setup

Boost Privacy with Tor on Linux

Ruggles Gary

Are you concerned about your online privacy and security? Do you want to browse the internet anonymously and access blocked websites? If so, then Tor is the perfect solution for you. Tor, short for The Onion Router, is a free and open-source software that allows users to browse the internet anonymously by routing their traffic through a network of servers. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Tor on Linux, one of the most popular operating systems among privacy-conscious users.

Why Install Tor on Linux?

Linux is known for its security and privacy features, making it a popular choice for those who value their online anonymity. By installing Tor on Linux, you can enhance your privacy even further and enjoy the following benefits:

  • Anonymity: Tor routes your internet traffic through multiple servers, making it difficult for anyone to trace your online activities back to you;
  • Access to Blocked Websites: Many countries and organizations block certain websites, but with Tor, you can bypass these restrictions and access any website you want;
  • Protection from Surveillance: With Tor, your internet service provider (ISP) or government cannot monitor your online activities;
  • Secure Communication: Tor uses encryption to protect your data, ensuring that your communication remains private and secure.

Now that you know why installing Tor on Linux is beneficial, let’s dive into the installation process.

Are You Ready to Prepare Your System?

Before we begin the installation process, it is essential to ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for running Tor. Additionally, you should also update your system to avoid any compatibility issues.

Checking System Requirements

To run Tor on Linux, your system must meet the following requirements:

  • A 64-bit processor;
  • At least 512 MB of RAM;
  • At least 200 MB of free disk space.

You can check your system’s architecture by opening the terminal and running the command uname -m. If the output is x86_64, then your system has a 64-bit processor. To check the amount of RAM on your system, you can use the command free -h in the terminal. Lastly, you can check the available disk space by running the command df -h.

Updating Your System

It is crucial to update your system before installing any new software to avoid any compatibility issues. To update your system, open the terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

This will update all the packages on your system to their latest versions.

Is Installing Tor Possible?

Now that your system is ready, let’s move on to installing Tor. There are two ways to install Tor on Linux: using the official Tor repository or downloading the package from the Tor website. In this article, we will cover both methods.

Downloading Tor Package

To download the Tor package from the official website, follow these steps:

  1. Open your web browser and go to the Tor Project website;
  2. Click on the “Download Tor Browser” button;
  3. Select your preferred language and click on the “Download” button next to the Linux version;
  4. Once the download is complete, navigate to the Downloads folder and extract the downloaded file by right-clicking on it and selecting “Extract Here”.

Verifying Package Authenticity

Before installing Tor, it is essential to verify the authenticity of the package to ensure that it has not been tampered with. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Download the signature file from the Tor Project website;
  2. Import the Tor Browser Developers signing key by running the command gpg –auto-key-locate nodefault,wkd –locate-keys [email protected] in the terminal;
  3. Verify the signature of the downloaded package by running the command gpg –verify .tar.xz.asc .tar.xz;
  4. If the output shows “Good signature,” then the package is authentic, and you can proceed with the installation.

Installing Tor

To install Tor using the downloaded package, follow these steps:

  1. Open the terminal and navigate to the extracted Tor folder using the cd command;
  2. Run the following command to make the installer executable: chmod +x start-tor-browser.desktop;
  3. Launch the installer by running the command ./start-tor-browser.desktop;
  4. A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to run the installer. Click on “Run”;
  5. The Tor Browser will launch, and a new folder named “Tor Browser” will be created in your home directory.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Tor on your Linux system.

In addition to fortifying your online privacy and security with Tor on Linux, you can also enhance your productivity by installing Visual Studio Code (VSCode).

Vector people holding a wrench next to the loading screen

Is Configuring Tor Possible?

Now that Tor is installed on your system, it is time to configure it to ensure maximum privacy and security.

Setting Up Bridges

Bridges are servers that act as entry points to the Tor network, making it difficult for anyone to detect that you are using Tor. To set up bridges, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Tor Browser and click on the “Configure” button;
  2. Select “Tor is censored in my country” and click on “Select a built-in bridge”;
  3. Choose a bridge from the list and click on “Connect”;
  4. If the bridge is successfully connected, you will see a message saying “Congratulations. This browser is configured to use Tor.”

Configuring Browser

To further enhance your privacy, you can configure the Tor Browser by following these steps:

  1. Click on the “Preferences” button in the Tor Browser;
  2. In the “Privacy & Security” tab, select “Safest” as the security level;
  3. Under the “Privacy & Security” tab, click on “Advanced” and make sure that all the options are checked;
  4. In the “General” tab, uncheck the option “Always ask me where to save files”;
  5. Under the “Language” tab, select your preferred language;
  6. Click on “OK” to save the changes.

Testing Tor Connection

To ensure that Tor is working correctly, you can perform a simple test by visiting the Check Tor Project website. If the website shows a green onion and says “Congratulations. This browser is configured to use Tor,” then everything is working correctly.

Using Tor

Now that Tor is installed and configured, you can start using it to browse the internet anonymously.

Launching Tor Browser

To launch the Tor Browser, navigate to the “Tor Browser” folder in your home directory and double-click on the “start-tor-browser.desktop” file. Alternatively, you can also run the command ./start-tor-browser.desktop in the terminal.

Browsing Anonymously

Once the Tor Browser is launched, you can browse the internet anonymously. Tor automatically routes your traffic through multiple servers, making it difficult for anyone to trace your online activities back to you.

Changing Identity

If you want to change your identity while using Tor, click on the onion icon in the top-right corner of the browser and select “New Identity.” This will close all your open tabs and open a new window with a different identity.

Troubleshooting

While Tor is generally easy to install and use, you may encounter some issues during the installation or configuration process. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

Common Issues

  • Unable to connect to the Tor network;
  • Slow browsing speed;
  • Websites not loading properly;
  • Error messages during installation.

Solutions

  • Check your internet connection and make sure that you have set up bridges correctly;
  • Try changing your bridge or using a different one;
  • If you are using a VPN, try disabling it as it may interfere with Tor’s functionality;
  • Clear your browser’s cache and cookies;
  • Make sure that you have downloaded the correct package for your system.

If none of these solutions work, you can visit the Tor Support Portal for further assistance.

Uninstalling Tor

If you no longer wish to use Tor, you can easily uninstall it from your system.

Removing Tor Package

To remove the Tor package, follow these steps:

  1. Open the terminal and navigate to the “Tor Browser” folder in your home directory;
  2. Run the command ./start-tor-browser.desktop –uninstall;
  3. A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to remove Tor. Click on “Remove”.

Removing Configuration Files

To remove the configuration files, run the following commands in the terminal:

rm -r ~/.local/share/torbrowser

rm -r ~/.tor-browser