Comparing VPNs, Proxies, and TOR: Uses and Differences

Right off the bat, you could be confused by three terms–VPNs, proxies and Tor–that aren’t all that common or know by most of us. But we’re here to help take the confusion of the terms and the technology behind it. At the heart of this topic are two issues: being able to see whatever you want to see online, and being able to do that safely, privately, or both. There are three known services that can help you do that—something called “Tor,” a proxy-server service, and a VPN. Each allows you to view content while concealing your computer’s IP address…its digital identity. But they are definitely different from one another, not all are easy to use, and they are certainly not all worry-free. You need to know the facts about Tor, proxies and VPNs before you think about jumping right in and giving it a go. There’s a lot to know…and plenty to risk. Tor is a special Internet browser, one that your grandmother would advise you not to use. It is a browser that you have to download and set up, which will then give you access to parts of the Internet you may or may not want to see—that’s why it is sometimes referred to as the “Dark Web.” (Tor, by the way, stands for The Onion Router , the name of the software project as it was being designed.) A proxy is an online service you can find on the Internet that allows you to visit a website while disguising your actual IP address, which is the electronic identity of your computer. Websites sometimes block users by their IP address—a proxy gets around that. Advertisers, website administrators, and those who “track” IP addresses (for various reasons) would not be able to see or track yours. The word “proxy” means a substitute or stand-in: A proxy substitutes your IP address with one of theirs. Not Sure Which VPN to Choose? Let Our Tool Help! A VPN (virtual private network) is another type of online service that you can find on the Internet. (Check out our VPN comparison page after you read this article.) Once you pick a VPN provider/service and set up an account, you can use your VPN account every time you go online—from anywhere—and visit websites without the worry of being hacked. Of all the ways to protect your identity, your family, your data and your computer online, Tor may be the poorest choice for the typical computer user simply looking for anonymity and security. Proxies might do the trick, but a good proxy may be hard to find, tricky to configure, and may not even keep your IP address secure. A personal VPN account with a good provider (and they’re easy to find) will work everywhere, without fail, and provide the best level of protection at home, on the road, and whenever you’re using a free wireless hotspot. Just make sure to do your homework first. Are there users out there saying the VPN is leaking ? Don’t get it! Are there users out there complaining about scams with VPN ? Don’t get it! Read reviews, research, and find the product that best serves your needs. That’s probably exactly what you’re looking for. Get hidden now. »» I want to hide my IP