Tor Hidden Services Conceal Server Location and Identity, Providing Crucial Anonymity and Privacy for Users

EasyChair Preprint 14278

Abstract

Tor hidden services, also known as .onion services, are a crucial component of the Tor network that provide enhanced anonymity and privacy for both servers and users. By concealing the physical location and identity of the server hosting the service, Tor hidden services offer a secure and private way for individuals and organizations to communicate, share information, and conduct sensitive activities online.

The Tor network's onion routing protocol is the foundation for hidden services, which encrypt and route internet traffic through a series of volunteer nodes to obscure the true origin and destination of the communication. This process makes it incredibly difficult for adversaries to trace the server's location or uncover the identity of the entity operating the hidden service.

For users, Tor hidden services offer a level of anonymity that is simply not possible with traditional internet services. By connecting to a hidden service, users can safely interact with the server without revealing their own identities or locations, enabling secure whistleblowing, political activism, and other activities that require strong privacy protections.

Keyphrases: Concealing location and identity, Internet Security, freedom of expression, onion routing, online privacy

@booklet{EasyChair:14278,
  author    = {Godwin Olaoye},
  title     = {Tor Hidden Services Conceal Server Location and Identity, Providing Crucial Anonymity and Privacy for Users},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 14278},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2024}}