Tor Browser Setup Guide
Complete Guide to Installing and Configuring Tor Browser for Nexus Market
🔐 What is Tor Browser?
Tor Browser is a modified version of Firefox that routes your internet traffic through the Tor network - a volunteer-operated network of thousands of relay servers that anonymize your online activity. When you use Tor Browser, your connection bounces through multiple encrypted relays before reaching its destination, making it extremely difficult to trace your activity back to your physical location or identity.
Why Tor is Essential for Nexus Market: Darknet marketplaces like Nexus Market are only accessible through .onion addresses, which require Tor Browser. Regular browsers cannot access these hidden services. Additionally, Tor provides crucial anonymity protection - law enforcement and adversaries cannot easily determine your IP address or physical location when you access Nexus Market through properly configured Tor Browser.
The Tor network provides three key protections: IP address anonymization (your real IP is hidden from websites), location privacy (websites cannot determine your physical location), and circumvention (bypass censorship and access blocked content). However, Tor is not a complete anonymity solution on its own - you must also practice good OPSEC, avoid logging into personal accounts, and never reveal identifying information.
📥 Downloading Tor Browser
CRITICAL: Only download Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website at torproject.org. Malicious actors frequently create fake Tor websites that distribute backdoored versions designed to steal your data or deanonymize you.
Official Download Sources (Verify the URL!)
-
✓
Official:
https://www.torproject.org/download/ -
✓
Onion service (if Tor already installed):
http://2gzyxa5ihm7nsggfxnu52rck2vv4rvmdlkiu3zzui5du4xyclen53wid.onion -
✓
Mirror (if main site blocked): Use GetTor via email: send blank email to
gettor@torproject.org
Verification Steps (MANDATORY)
After downloading, you MUST verify the cryptographic signature to ensure the file hasn't been tampered with:
- 1 Download both the Tor Browser installer AND the .asc signature file from the official page
- 2 Install GPG/Kleopatra if not already installed
- 3 Import Tor Project's signing key (key ID: EF6E286DDA85EA2A4BA7DE684E2C6E8793298290)
-
4
Verify the signature matches:
gpg --verify torbrowser-install.exe.asc
💻 Installation Steps
Windows Installation
- 1. Run the .exe installer you downloaded
- 2. Choose installation language (English recommended for consistency)
- 3. Select destination folder (avoid Program Files - use portable location like Desktop or Documents)
- 4. Do NOT create desktop shortcut (OPSEC risk - reduces conspicuousness)
- 5. Launch Tor Browser from the installation folder
macOS Installation
- 1. Open the .dmg file
- 2. Drag Tor Browser to Applications folder
- 3. Launch from Applications (may need to right-click > Open first time for Gatekeeper)
Linux Installation
-
1. Extract the .tar.xz archive:
tar -xf tor-browser-linux64-*.tar.xz -
2. Navigate to folder:
cd tor-browser -
3. Run:
./start-tor-browser.desktop
⚙️ Security Configuration
Security Level Settings
Click the shield icon (🛡️) in the top-right corner and select "Advanced Security Settings". For Nexus Market, we recommend:
Recommended: "Safer" Level
This disables JavaScript on non-HTTPS sites, disables some fonts and math symbols, and enables click-to-play for media. Nexus Market functions properly at "Safer" level. Do NOT use "Safest" as it will break marketplace functionality.
Critical Configuration Checklist
🔒 Privacy Best Practices
Use Bridges if Tor is Blocked
If your ISP or government blocks Tor, enable bridges in settings. obfs4 bridges are recommended. Get bridge addresses from bridges.torproject.org
Request New Circuit for Sensitive Actions
Right-click the onion icon > "New Circuit for this Site" to change your Tor path. Do this before logging into Nexus Market, especially if you accessed clearnet sites first.
Avoid Personal Account Logins
NEVER log into Facebook, Google, or any account tied to your real identity while using Tor Browser. This destroys your anonymity.
Disable WebRTC
WebRTC is disabled by default in Tor Browser. Do NOT re-enable it as it can leak your real IP address even through Tor.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Documents and PDFs can contain tracking pixels or malicious macros. If you must download files, open them in a disposable VM, never on your host OS.
Close all other browsers when using Tor. Browser fingerprinting can correlate your Tor and regular browsing sessions if both are active simultaneously.
VPN over Tor or Tor over VPN adds complexity and potential failure points. For most users, Tor alone is sufficient. If you do use a VPN, use Tor over VPN (VPN first, then Tor), never VPN over Tor.
Close Tor Browser when not in use. Each new session provides fresh circuits. Keeping it open for days creates more opportunities for traffic correlation.
Tor Browser auto-updates, but check manually occasionally. Outdated versions may have unpatched security vulnerabilities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tor Browser legal to use?
Yes, Tor Browser is completely legal in most countries. It's developed by the Tor Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded partly by the US government. However, what you DO with Tor may be illegal - accessing Nexus Market to purchase controlled substances is illegal in most jurisdictions.
Can my ISP see I'm using Tor?
Yes, your ISP can see that you're connecting to the Tor network (they see the IP addresses of Tor entry guards). They CANNOT see what you're doing over Tor or which websites you visit. If this is a concern, use bridges (obfs4) to obfuscate Tor traffic.
Why is Tor Browser so slow?
Your traffic bounces through 3+ volunteer-operated relays around the world before reaching its destination. This adds latency. Typical speeds are 1-3 Mbps. This is the price of anonymity - if speed is more important than privacy, don't use Tor.
Should I use a VPN with Tor Browser?
This is debatable. Tor over VPN (VPN → Tor → Internet) hides Tor usage from your ISP but requires trusting a VPN provider. VPN over Tor is NOT recommended. For most users, Tor alone provides sufficient anonymity. Only add a VPN if you understand the trade-offs.
Can law enforcement track me on Tor?
Tor provides strong anonymity, but it's not perfect. Law enforcement has deanonymized Tor users through browser exploits, compromised exit nodes, traffic correlation attacks, and operational security mistakes (like reusing usernames or revealing personal info). Tor makes tracking MUCH harder, but not impossible. Practice good OPSEC.
Ready for Next Steps?
Now that you have Tor Browser configured, learn about PGP encryption and 2FA to access Nexus Market safely.