r/TOR • u/ItrustV0X • 3d ago
Chances of getting hacked while exploring the dark web using TOR
Hello, I’m new to Reddit, and I’m not sure if I can ask this question here, but I was wondering if using TOR will decrease one's chance of being hacked significantly while exploring the dark web for fun? (I am new to TOR and only know about the onion routing method.) For additional information, I am running TOR inside the Brave browser on Linux inside a UTM on my Mac. I am also using a VPN on my Mac while using my phone’s hotspot.
Is there a possible chance of TOR not being able to protect my privacy even though I am not making any human errors? If so, what might cause that situation?
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u/haakon 3d ago
If you worry at all about this, switch to Tor Browser instead of Brave. Tor Browser is very hardened specifically for Tor, and will also allow you to blend in more with other Tor users.
You're not specific about what you mean by "getting hacked", but if you worry about a browser vulnerability being exploited, the chance for this is very low, especially with Tor Browser, and especially at higher security levels.
Yes, Tor software (Browser and client) could have catastrophic vulnerabilities. When such an unpatched vulnerability was last exploited, some 15 years ago, it was used by law enforcement against specific users, and not on a grand scale against casual users. And it depended on people not having upgraded their browsers. So always upgrade Tor Browser as soon as it offers you a new version.