This is due to the increase in most users’ Internet bandwidth, the constant upgrading and improving of the Tor software and its easy integration into the popular browsers. Using Tor during online investigations is much easier now than in the past. You can still use the installed “Vadalia” (like the onion) package to proxy your own browser through the Tor network, although the Tor project no longer recommends this practice.

The current Tor Browser bundle installs its own browser version that does not allow the user to change the proxy settings in the browser. Thus you have effectively hidden from the end website you are visiting or target user that you may be communicating with through the Internet (Please note this is an over simplification of the process and exact details of how the Tor network works can be found on the project website). The Tor network in its simplest description strips that information out and only provides the end user with an IP address belonging to the Tor network and not you. This exposure of your IP address is what can tell the target who you are and possibly where you are in the world.

These servers easily identify who you are by your IP address so they can communicate back with you.

When both buttons are grey, you see the data that is visible to observers when you don't use either tool.Your browser normally makes a call out through your Internet Service Provider to servers on the Internet.

When both buttons are green, you see the data that is visible to observers when you are using both tools.

The button will turn green to indicate that HTTPS is on.

Click the “HTTPS” button to see what data is visible to observers when you're using HTTPS.

The button will turn green to indicate that Tor is on.

Click the “Tor” button to see what data is visible to observers when you're using Tor.

The following visualization shows what information is visible to eavesdroppers with and without Tor Browser and HTTPS encryption: If the site you are visiting uses HTTPS, then the traffic leaving your exit relay will be encrypted, and won't be visible to eavesdroppers. However, information sent unencrypted over the internet using plain HTTP can still be intercepted by exit relay operators or anyone observing the traffic between your exit relay and your destination website. Tor prevents eavesdroppers from learning sites that you visit.

The tor project 2010 tor the solution