How Private is VPN with Tor?

Ever wonder what makes the world of VPN so interesting? Maybe it’s the fact that this software provides so much flexibility to users. You can connect to different servers in different countries, use a PPTP connection to access the internet anonymously, or even go the extra mile and hide your digital footprints altogether by connecting through a VPN tunnel to the Tor network.

While all of those features are quite useful, they come with a slight downside. Privacy-conscious users may be put off by the idea of associating their IP address with a VPN service, even if it’s a private one. In this article, we will discuss the different aspects of privacy that you should be aware of when connecting to a VPN server.

Tor Is Still Anonymity In Miniature

It’s well known that the Tor network is mostly used for illegal activities such as money laundering and child pornography, due to the anonymizing properties of the technology behind it. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a useful tool for regular people looking to keep their personal information private as well.

Using Tor with a VPN service allows you to retain many of the useful features of a VPN, while keeping your personal data private. Since the Tor network provides temporary, anonymous identities, you can use it to browse the web and access social media anonymously. That way, if you don’t want your personal information to be available to the public, you don’t have to worry about things like IP addresses or session logs revealing your true identity.

The Downside To Using The Tor Network

Of course, there’s a downside to using the Tor network, just like there’s a downside to using any other software or tool. The anonymity that the network provides comes at a price, and that price is a lack of privacy. You have to trust the developers of the technology behind the Tor network, as well as the people running the server you connect to. That kind of defeats the purpose of keeping your personal data private, doesn’t it?

If you have a specific reason for wanting to use the Tor network, then it’s perfectly acceptable. For example, if you’re doing some research into a criminal organisation or activity, it may be a good idea to use the Tor network to keep your personal details and activities safe. However, if you just want to keep your personal information private simply for curiosity’s sake, then it’s probably not the best choice. You may want to consider an alternative, like double VPN or an encrypted email service, instead.

Double VPN For Anonymity

There are two great VPN services that provide additional layers of privacy and security. The first is called Double VPN, and it was designed with the NSA in mind. This VPN service will encrypt your data twice: once when you connect to the server, and again when the server sends the data to its headquarters. Only the company that runs the Double VPN server can decrypt your data.

Not only does the service provide double encryption, but it also has a kill switch that prevents your internet connection from being harmed when the VPN server is down or infected. If you want to retain some of the anonymity that the Tor network provides, then Double VPN is a great choice. It even has a built-in, anonymous browser, called Double Browser, which you can access directly through the VPN app. That way, you don’t have to worry about maintaining anonymity while you browse the web or use social media. Your identity will be saved, and no one will be able to track your online activity, whether through your IP address or other means.

Encrypted Email

Encrypted Email is a great choice for people who need a more modern and secure way to communicate. Rather than sending emails with attachments that can be easily scanned and opened by anyone with access to the email account, encrypted emails are end-to-end encrypted. That means that only the people you’re communicating with can read your email, and only you can read their encrypted messages. You won’t have to worry about anyone spying on your email correspondence or trying to hack into your account. Plus, you can use an encrypted email service like Tutellus or Mailvelope to ensure that your personal data stays private. The benefit of using encrypted emails is that you can be sure that your communications stay safe, even if you choose to communicate with people who may not have the best security practices. With the increasing popularity of Email hacking and threats like Covid-19, it’s now more important than ever to have a safe and private correspondence.

VPN And The Tor Network Aren’t Compatible

If you’re using a VPN to connect to the Tor network, then you’re going to have a bad time. VPNs and the Tor network aren’t compatible, and the simple act of connecting them together is going to cause problems. The best option is to use a VPN to connect to the Tor network, and then use the Tor network for regular internet access. You may want to use an application called TunnelBear, which automatically connects you to a VPN server in the country you specify, upon launch. That way, you don’t have to be concerned with choosing which VPN to use for the Tor network, or with configuring the connection manually.

Keep A VPN And Tor Connection Disconnected

It’s best to keep your VPN and Tor connections disconnected. Simply put, if you’re going to use the VPN to connect to the Tor network, then you’re better off not using the Tor network at all. That way, you don’t have to worry about the two competing for resources, and you can still retain all of the privacy that the Tor network provides. Even if you trust the developers of the technology behind the Tor network, you shouldn’t trust anyone who controls the server you connect to. If you must connect to the Tor network using VPN, then your best option is to use a small, open-source VPN provider, like Wirecutter.

Why Should You Use A VPN While You Are Logged Into Google Search?

If you’re already logged into Google Search, then it may be a good idea to use a VPN to protect your personal data from third-party trackers. As mentioned before, the Tor network provides temporary, anonymous identities, which make it a useful tool for keeping your personal details and online activity private. If you don’t want to interact with annoying trackers while you’re browsing online, or if you’re seeking anonymity, then the Tor network is certainly a good solution. Unfortunately, as search engines like Google track your activity across the web, using a VPN to keep your searches private may not be the best idea. You may want to consider using a browser add-on called Proxy Indicate to filter search queries before they reach the search engines. That way, you won’t be tracked while you’re searching for something discreet, like hacker news or review websites, and your queries won’t be saved in any logs, either.

Private Browsing

You may be familiar with the concept of private browsing. This feature is exactly what it sounds like — your browsing activity is not logged and cannot be tracked. This is similar to the way you would browse the web privately, without any cookies or web beacons. Most modern browsers, like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox, provide this feature. When you’re on a private browsing tab in one of those browsers, your activity is not going to be saved, so you don’t have to worry about security breaches or data leaks. This is perfect for people seeking online anonymity, or who want to browse the web privately, without worrying about any malware or advertisements.

Protecting Your Identities

You may be familiar with the concept of online anonymity, which we discussed earlier. This is similar to the concept of private browsing, except that when you’re anonymous, your activity can be traced, rather than just tracked. If you seek the benefits of both, then using a VPN is certainly a good idea. However, if you only want to retain the anonymity that the Tor network provides, then using a VPN is not the best solution. The best option for people seeking online anonymity is to use an anonymous browser, like Brave or Yorick, which blocks all cookies and web beacons. Even then, it’s usually a good idea to use a different browser for private browsing versus normal use. That way, it won’t be a confusing event if you accidentally log into a banking website or other online service, while you’re browsing the web privately, without thinking.