Since this nifty web anonymizer is the only reason I can still use WordPress.com as my blog in China a quick note of appreciation, and by this I mean product plug, is warranted.
Tor is a small, downloadable, and all importantly free application that runs on both mac and windows. The technology is both simple and complicated, I’ll let Tor’s own website explain the peer to peer hosting techniques, but for the lay-user all that is needed is:
a) Download and install the Tor package (consisting of the Tor technology, and a GUI – Graphical User Interface)
b) Set it up. If you’re a Firefox user, download and install the Tor Button, which sets up your browser automatically. If not, Tor has instructions for other browsers on their download page.
c) When you want to be anonymous, run the Tor GUI and click the Tor button “on” in firefox.
Trust me, it’s trés simple. And a lifesaver in the land of censorship. There is a highly noticeable time lag in loading pages when using Tor, but it’s worth the wait. The Firefox Tor button also makes quick work of this problem – simple on and off when I need it. Wonderful.
P.S. Tor is available in multiple languages.
