Tutorial: How to Download and Install Tor Browser

Introduction

The Tor Browser is the essential tool for browsing the dark web anonymously. It routes your traffic through the Tor network, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or determine your physical location. This guide covers installation for all major platforms.

Warning:

Always download Tor Browser from the official source. Third-party versions may contain malware or compromise your anonymity.

Desktop Installation

For all desktop operating systems, start by visiting the official Tor Project Download Page.

Windows

Download the .exe installer file.
Navigate to your Downloads folder and run the installer.
Follow the prompts to choose your language and installation location.
Once finished, check the box to "Run Tor Browser" and click Finish.

macOS

Download the .dmg file.
Open the file. A window will appear asking you to drag the Tor Browser icon to your Applications folder.
Drag the icon to the "Applications" folder.
Open your Applications folder and double-click Tor Browser. (You may need to confirm you want to open an app downloaded from the internet).

Linux

While some repositories have Tor, it is recommended to use the official binary or the Tor Browser Launcher.

Download the .tar.xz file from the Tor Project website.

Extract the archive:

tar -xf tor-browser-linux64-x.x.x_en-US.tar.xz

Navigate into the directory:
```
cd tor-browser_en-US
```
Run the browser:
```
./start-tor-browser.desktop
```

To register it as a desktop application:

./start-tor-browser.desktop --register-app

Mobile Installation

Android

The Tor Project provides an official app for Android.

Go to the Google Play Store and search for "Tor Browser".
Ensure the developer is listed as "The Tor Project".
Tap Install.
Alternatively, you can download the .apk directly from the Tor Project website if you do not use Google Play.
Open the app and tap Connect to join the Tor network.

iOS (iPhone & iPad)

Due to Apple's restrictions, there is no official Tor Browser app from the Tor Project. However, they recommend Onion Browser.

Open the App Store and search for "Onion Browser".
Look for the app developed by Mike Tigas.
Tap Get to install.
Open the app and follow the setup instructions to bridge into the Tor network.

Advanced iOS Users: You can also use Orbot (available on the App Store) which routes other app traffic through Tor.

First-Time Configuration

When you first launch Tor Browser on any platform:

Connect: Most users can simply click "Connect." Tor will find the best path to the network.
Configure Connection: If you are in a country that censors Tor (like China, Russia, or Turkey), click "Configure Connection" to use a Bridge. Bridges are secret Tor relays that are harder to block.
Security Level: Once the browser is open, click the shield icon (Settings > Privacy & Security) to adjust your Security Level. We recommend "Safer" or "Safest" for darknet markets, as this disables JavaScript on non-HTTPS sites.

Conclusion

You are now ready to browse the internet anonymously. Remember that while Tor provides anonymity, your behavior dictates your security. Never use your real identity, do not maximize the browser window (to prevent fingerprinting), and disable JavaScript when visiting sensitive sites.

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How to Download and Install Tor Browser