The means of ensuring security and anonymity of users while browsing the Internet have recently gained unprecedented popularity and relevance, since solving the problems of protecting surfing or gaining access to resources blocked at the state level has become a priority for any user. Especially for this, all kinds of tools are being developed like VPN clients or anonymous proxies are used. However, if anyone does not know, in their image and likeness they very much resemble the notorious Tor browser, which, however, works on slightly different principles. Unfortunately, sometimes it is possible to meet situations when the Tor browser does not start. Let's take a look together, in connection with which such problems arise and how to fix possible errors and failures when trying to start the browser.
Thor Browser: What is this browser?
The browser itself is a somewhat unusual browser that allows you to automatically change the external address of any computer or mobile device on which it is installed, as a result of which the user's regional location changes. Unlike all kinds of VPN clients and proxies, this browser uses its own Tor network, in which protection is provided by encrypting routing rather than transmitted and received traffic.
Where to download and how to install the Tor browser?
As for downloading and installing the browser, it is best to download its installer directly from the official site. When you enter the resource, if the VPN in your browser is not turned on, the language will be detected automatically. If this does not happen, you can choose the language yourself.
To download the Tor browser with the Russian interface language, you just need to click the download start button. When the installer file is saved on the computer’s hard drive, in all recent Windows systems it will need to be run as administrator and follow the instructions of the “Wizard”.
In the process, you will be prompted to unzip the directory with the files on the “Desktop” and create a shortcut.
Note: please note that the Thor browser is distributed free of charge, therefore, if you come across resources on which it is proposed to pay for it, even if the minimum amount, you can be sure that this site refers to malicious pages, possibly containing ransomware viruses.
First launch of the browser
At the first start of the installed applet, a window appears with a choice of action.
If there are no problems with blocking the browser in your country, you can immediately use the connection to the tor networks. In the start window that appears after that, it is advisable to immediately start the network scan, and at the same time completely disable script execution by clicking the button on the left in the upper panel. When the testing is completed, you can begin to work. The only drawback is the very slow page loading speed.
The Tor browser does not start: what to do first?
Now let's move on to eliminating possible problems with starting the program. Most often, the Tor browser does not start only because the time and date are incorrectly set on the computer or laptop. Some uninformed users recommend setting the correct options directly in Windows. But this is just not worth it!
In the system settings, it is better to use only time synchronization on the Internet, and set the current date and time in the primary BIOS / UEFI input / output system.
In addition, just in case, try to add the installed browser-application to the exclusion list of the antivirus of its own firewall (if any) and the Windows firewall (for this, the list of allowed applications is used), and also update the browser version by clicking the update search button on the main panel on the left .
Another problem that the “Tor” browser does not start is that this software can be blocked by providers based on government directives. In this case, when you start the browser, you can immediately go to the settings and indicate that the browser is blocked in your region, but you can apply a more effective solution. It consists in setting up special bridges.
Bridge Setup
To perform such settings, in the running browser, enter the address bridges.torproject.org, then click on the link for receiving bridges, click the simple submission button, enter the verification code, and then copy all the addresses provided.
Now, in the browser panel on the left, click the button with the image of the onion, go to the tor network setting, check the box to disable the browser in your country, activate the address entry point, and then simply paste the copied links into the box below.
Using the mobile version of the application
As for the use of the mobile application, even in special repositories you are unlikely to find the applet of the same name, for example, in the form of the “Tor” browser for “Android”. Nevertheless, there is a way out. The full analogue, by the way, from the same developer, is the Orfox application, which functions according to the same principles and schemes that were described for the Tor browser. But it must be installed exclusively paired with the additional Orbot applet, which is a virtual proxy server. Preferred region (country) must be selected manually. In addition, right in the applications, you can activate the VPN mode for all applets installed on the mobile device, which, in the process, can access certain (even blocked) resources on the Internet.