The best secure browsers for privacy in 2024: Expert tested

June 4, 2024 TH Author

Another excellent choice for improving your privacy on the web is the Tor browser, a non-profit project focused on anonymizing users online.

Its proprietary web browser disguises a user’s IP address and activity by relaying it through a network of servers (nodes) run by volunteers. Bouncing your information around makes tracking exceptionally difficult, which is excellent if you don’t want your ISP or anyone else spying on your online activity.

Tor can be crucial for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and people avoiding censorship. The Tor browser is also a popular choice for accessing the deep web: A collection of websites and pages inaccessible through traditional means, like search engines, in what is known as the “clear” web.

Also: How to use Tor browser (and why you should)

The Tor browser’s default search engine is DuckDuckGo, which will not log or store your search queries.

While it isn’t a mainstream choice, the Tor browser is well-regarded for people who don’t want to be tracked across the web. The Tor Project updates it frequently, and the browser is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android. Users applaud the network’s uncompromising approach to privacy but note slow speeds and occasional problems with Captchas.

Due to the architecture of the Tor network, page loads in the Tor browser can be slower, and some sites might not work well. Nonetheless, the Tor browser is a privacy-preserving browser worthy of consideration.

The Tor browser features: High levels of security and anonymization | Onion routing | DuckDuckGo integration | Access to websites outside of the clear web