每当您连接到互联网时，保护自己免受黑客、间谍和恶意攻击的想法应该是您的首要考虑。这是Tor和VPN的主要目的。但是，当谈到Tor与VPN时，你真正了解多少？
在确保我们的个人信息和在线活动保持私密性时，VPN(VPNs)和Tor是您可以使用的最强大的工具。两者有着惊人的相似之处，但正是它们的差异使它们在利基情况下有用。无论是绕过地理区块还是在暗网中导航(navigating through the dark web)，您都需要了解哪种选择适合哪种情况。
什么是 Tor 以及它是如何工作的？(What Is Tor & How Does It Work?)
Tor是 The (Tor)Onion Router的缩写，是免费软件，它提供隐藏的流量服务，通过加密您的在线流量并通过多个志愿者操作的节点路由来保护您的身份。
每个节点都受益于多层加密，让网络只能看到节点前后的 IP 地址。出口节点也是可见的，并且是唯一可以看到您的加密数据的节点。
由于节点由志愿者操作，任何人都可以自由设置退出节点(anyone is free to set up an exit node)。这样做的问题是，设置不当的节点可以收集黑客和间谍可以看到的私人信息。Tor将阻止所有浏览活动链接回您，但是一旦离开网络，任何人都可以看到您的流量。除了它开始的地方，就是这样。
为了确保您的隐私安全，您应该避免通过您的连接发送私人消息和其他敏感信息。
Tor将映射一条从您的设备开始的路径，引导您通过两个随机选择的节点，直到最终到达出口节点。在(Prior)将数据包发送到第一个节点之前，Tor将应用三层加密。
行程中的第一个节点将移除最外层，即知道数据包下一步要去哪里的层。第二个节点将重复此过程，将您的数据包发送到网络的出口节点。
出口节点移除最后一层，显示数据包携带的所有信息。为了不让黑客猜测，Tor将继续使用相同的三个节点不超过 10 分钟，然后为您的流量创建一个全新的随机路由。
Tor的优势(The Advantages Of Tor)
- Tor是 100% 免费的，使其成为您安全方面最具成本效益的解决方案。
- Tor网络中没有保存任何日志或记录。无需注册，您不必担心在使用该软件时您的财务信息会被泄露。
- Tor无需担心被关闭。所有节点都分散在世界各地，因此几乎不可能有被移除的危险。没有主服务器可以使其免受恶意实体和法律机构的攻击和袭击。
什么是 VPN 以及它们如何工作？(What Are VPNs & How Do They Work?)
虚拟专用网络(Virtual Private Network)( VPN ) 提供从您的设备到服务器可用的任何国家/地区的远程服务器的端到端加密。使用VPN时，您的 IP 地址是隐藏的，看起来好像您是从远程服务器的位置而不是您的实际位置访问 Internet。
您需要选择提供商、创建帐户、从您的设备启动客户端、登录，然后选择适当的服务器。合适的服务器将取决于您的需要。为了更安全和快速的连接，首选附近的服务器。如果要规避受地区限制的内容，请连接到其他国家/地区的服务器，限制较少。
连接后，所有数据将在通过您选择的服务器路由之前进行加密。然后，数据将通过隧道到达您尝试访问的网站。您的 IP 将被网站屏蔽，取而代之的是服务器的 IP 地址，使您的访问完全匿名。
VPN的优势(The Advantages Of a VPN)
- 所有数据从源到目的地都经过加密。
- VPN(VPNs)可以减慢或加快您的连接速度，具体取决于网络拥塞以及您的ISP是否会限制您的带宽。
- 涉及VPN(VPN)时，通常不需要技术技能。
- VPN(A VPN)可以帮助您通过 IP 屏蔽绕过地理封锁限制。驻扎在韩国(Korea)时无法观看美国 Netflix(US Netflix)？VPN(A VPN)或许能够帮助您克服这一障碍。
Tor vs VPN – 合力(Tor vs VPN – Combining Forces)
通过结合Tor和VPN，您可以创建强大的在线安全和隐私保护。有两种结合VPN和Tor的方法；Tor over VPN或VPN over Tor。_ 选择将取决于您的需求。
Tor Over VPN
在打开Tor(Tor)之前，需要先建立VPN连接。这样做将允许VPN在您在(VPN)Tor上开展业务之前加密您的流量。这将从您的ISP(ISP)隐藏您的Tor活动。
您的ISP将无法看到通过Tor发送的数据，即使他们仍然可以看到您已连接到它。由于Tor入口节点无法看到您的真实 IP，它将显示您的VPN服务器的 IP，从而增加您的匿名性。
但是，您的流量在离开Tor网络后并未加密，因此您无法免受恶意出口节点的攻击。您仍然需要非常小心通过您的连接发送敏感信息。
如果出现以下情况，请选择 Tor over VPN：
- 您需要对您的ISP隐藏您对(ISP)Tor的使用。
- 您需要向您的VPN提供商隐藏您的流量。
- 您不会通过连接发送敏感信息。
Tor 上的 VPN(VPN Over Tor)
使用这种方法将与Tor over VPN的方向相反。在登录VPN之前，您需要先连接到Tor网络。这将要求您在技术上更加健全，因为您需要配置您的VPN客户端以使用Tor。
Tor的出口节点将您的流量重新路由到您的VPN服务器，从而消除了恶意出口节点的风险。发生这种情况是因为您的流量在离开Tor(Tor)网络后被解密。
入口节点仍然可以看到您的真实 IP，但您的VPN只能看到出口节点的地址。这隐藏了您使用 ISP 的VPN的事实，但他们可以看到您在Tor网络上。此设置将更容易绕过地理封锁，允许您访问一些您最初无法访问的Tor节点。(Tor)
在以下情况下选择 VPN over Tor：
- 您希望保护您的在线连接免受恶意出口节点的侵害。
- 您需要对您的ISP隐藏您的(ISP)VPN使用。
- 您计划通过您的连接传输敏感信息。
- 您需要绕过地理限制。
Tor vs VPN – Should You Use One or Both?
The thought of protеcting yourself from hackerѕ, spies, and malicious attacks should be at the forefront of your mind anytime you connect to the internet. This iѕ the prime purpose of both Tor and a VPN. But, when talking about Tor vs VPN, how much do you really know?
When it comes to ensuring that our personal information and online activity remains private, VPNs and Tor are the most powerful tools you can use. Both share striking similarities, but it’s their differences that make them useful in niche situations. Whether getting around a geoblock or navigating through the dark web, you’ll need to understand which choice is right for which situation.
What Is Tor & How Does It Work?
Tor, short for The Onion Router, is free software that provides a hidden traffic service, protecting your identity by encrypting your online traffic and routing it through multiple volunteer-operated nodes.
Each node benefits from multi-layer encryption, allowing the network to see only the IP address of the node before and after. The exit node is also visible and the only one that can see your encrypted data.
Since the nodes are operated by volunteers, anyone is free to set up an exit node. The problem with this is that a poorly setup node can harvest private information which can remain visible to hackers and spies. Tor will prevent all browsing activity from being linked back to you but anyone can see your traffic once it leaves the network. All but where it begins, that is.
To keep your privacy secure, you should avoid sending private messages and other sensitive information over your connection.
Tor will map a path that begins from your device, routing you through two randomly selected nodes, until finally coming to an exit node. Prior to sending out your data packet to the first node, Tor will apply three layers of encryption.
The first node on the trip will remove the outermost layer, which is the layer that knows where the data packet is headed to next. The second node will repeat this process, sending your data packet to the network’s exit node.
The exit node removes the final layer, revealing all of the information the data packet was carrying. To keep hackers guessing, Tor will continue to use the same three nodes for no more than 10 minutes before creating an entirely new, random route for your traffic.
The Advantages Of Tor
- Tor is 100% free, making it the most cost-effective solution for your security.
- There are no logs or records kept within the Tor network. There are no sign-ups and you won’t have to worry about your financial information being released when using the software.
- Tor has no worries of ever being shut down. All nodes are scattered across the world making it virtually impossible to ever be in danger of removal. Having no main server keeps it free of attacks and raids from malicious entities and legal authorities.
What Are VPNs & How Do They Work?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides end-to-end encryption from your device to a remote server in any country a server is available. While using a VPN, your IP address is hidden, making it appear as though you are accessing the internet from the location of the remote server instead of your actual location.
You’ll need to choose a provider, create an account, launch the client from your device, log in, and then select the appropriate server. An appropriate server would depend on your needs. For a more secure and swift connection, a nearby server is preferred. If looking to circumvent region-blocked content, connect to a server in a different country with less restrictions.
Once connected, all data will be encrypted prior to being routed through your chosen server. The data will then traverse through the tunnel to the website you’re trying to access. Your IP will be masked from the website, and in its place will be the server’s IP address, making your access completely anonymous.
The Advantages Of a VPN
- All data is encrypted from origin to destination.
- VPNs can either slow down or speed up your connection, depending on network congestion and if your ISP throttles your bandwidth.
- Technical skills are not normally necessary when a VPN is concerned.
- A VPN can help you get around geo-blocked restrictions through IP masking. Unable to watch US Netflix while stationed in Korea? A VPN may be able to help you overcome that obstacle.
Tor vs VPN – Combining Forces
By combining both Tor and VPN, you can create a powerhouse of online security and privacy protection. There are two ways to combine a VPN and Tor; either Tor over VPN or VPN over Tor. The choice will be determined by your needs.
Tor Over VPN
A VPN connection will need to be made first before opening Tor. Doing it this way will allow the VPN to encrypt your traffic before doing your business on Tor. This will hide your Tor activity from your ISP.
Your ISP will be unable to see the data being sent over Tor, even though they can still see that you’re connected to it. Since the Tor entry node isn’t able to see your real IP, it will be shown the IP of your VPN server, increasing your anonymity.
Your traffic however is not encrypted once it leaves the Tor network, leaving you without protection from malicious exit nodes. You’ll still need to be very careful about sending sensitive information over your connection.
Choose Tor over VPN if:
- You need to hide your use of Tor from your ISP.
- You need to hide your traffic from your VPN provider.
- You won’t be sending sensitive information over your connection.
VPN Over Tor
Using this method will go in the opposite direction from Tor over VPN. You’ll need to connect to the Tor network first before logging into your VPN. This will require that you are more technically sound, as you’ll need to configure your VPN client to work with Tor.
Tor’s exit node reroutes your traffic to your VPN server, eliminating the risk of malicious exit nodes. This happens because your traffic is decrypted after it leaves the Tor network.
The entry node will still be able to see your real IP, but your VPN will only see the exit node’s address. This hides the fact you’re using a VPN from your ISP but they can see that you’re on the Tor network. This setup will make it easier to bypass geo-blocking, allowing you to access some Tor nodes you were originally unable.
Choose VPN over Tor if:
- You want to protect your online connection against malicious exit nodes.
- You need to hide your VPN use from your ISP.
- You plan to transmit sensitive information over your connection.
- You need to bypass geoblocks.
