If you want to keep your browsing private with no ad tracking, you can try a VPN or use the incognito mode on a browser. But if you want to take it up a notch, why not use Tor Browser which is now released for Android after coming out of Beta.
In a blog post, the Tor Project team announced that their browser is stable on Android. Look for it on their official website and make sure you download the latest version, which is 8.5. You can also download the Tor Browser from Google Play. Now let’s see what it brings to the table.
Tor Browser 8.5 Available to Download for Android
The devs wrote in a blog post that the reason for this web browser is to offer users the protection they need on Android phones:
“Mobile browsing is increasing around the world, and in some parts, it is commonly the only way people access the internet. In these same areas, there is often heavy surveillance and censorship online, so we made it a priority to reach these users.”
Users will notice the following features in the stable Tor browser version:
“We made sure there are no proxy bypasses, that first-party isolation is enabled to protect you from cross-site tracking, and that most of the fingerprinting defenses are working.”
Considering this is just the beginning for the app, we will surely see more features to come. nonetheless, the devs explained that they “confident that Tor Browser for Android provides essentially the same protections that can be found on desktop platforms.”
The app is based on Firefox, so you will get tabbed browsing. It will first use a network of encrypted servers to hide a user’s IP address and identity by bouncing requests around multiple intermediate links. Each time you open the app, it will connect to the network.
Using Tor Browser, users can avoid government monitoring, ad companies, or bypass geographical blocking. However, the browser can also be used for illegal activities. Learn more about the app on the official Tor Browser blog.
As for iOS users, the devs pointed out that there isn’t an iOS Tor Browser, but they recommend Onion Browser as a good alternative for iPhone and iPad users.
Joyce Lewis is a talented journalist at 3Zebras, known for her insightful coverage of technology, gaming, and privacy issues. Her work delves into the human aspects of tech, from the politeness of virtual assistants to the security risks of smart toys. Joyce’s articles are engaging and informative, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience.