Tor (The Onion Router) is an open-source network and software suite designed to protect user privacy and enable anonymous communication on the internet. It works by routing network traffic through a distributed, volunteer-run network of relays, encrypting data in multiple layers so that no single relay knows both the source and destination of the traffic. Tor is widely used to defend against traffic analysis, surveillance, and censorship. By obscuring IP addresses and routing paths, it helps users browse the web anonymously, publish information safely, and access services without revealing their location or identity. The network supports standard web traffic as well as specialized .onion services, which allow websites and services to operate anonymously without exposing their physical hosting location. Beyond web browsing, Tor is used as a foundational privacy layer for secure messaging, whistleblowing platforms, journalism, activism, academic research, and secure system administration. It is also integrated into many privacy-focused operating systems and tools. While Tor can reduce traceability, it does not make users invulnerable and must be used with proper operational security to avoid deanonymization risks. Tor is developed and maintained by the Tor Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing digital privacy and freedom worldwide