Facebook is not an application usually associated with an anonymous browser. But did you know that Facebook has an Onion version of the Tor network?
The Tor protocol hides network traffic, eliminating restrictions from network service providers and local censors. Tor does this by moving contacts around the distributed node network with a series of different endpoints - where access exits Tor and enters the standard Internet. Here's how to browse Facebook on the Tor network in 5 easy steps.
How to access Facebook via Tor
Since its inception, the Tor network has remained stable with about 2 million regular users. However, compared to regular internet, it is only a very small number. Unfortunately, many people still don't know how to use the Tor network today. In recent years, the Tor development team has been actively improving and simplifying this browser.
Increased government oversight of the Internet and the adoption of privacy policies and laws can push regular network users towards Tor. Moreover, setting up a computer to access Facebook via Tor takes only a few minutes but brings many benefits: better security, no tracking and no ads ...
Step 1: Download the Tor Browser
The Tor Browser is a variant of Mozilla Firefox pre-configured to access the Tor network. It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. In addition, thanks to the binary format, users can run the Tor Browser directly from a USB drive without needing to tweak it like other portable utility applications.
Go to the Tor Project homepage and select Download Tor Browser or download it via the Tor Browser on download.com.vn. After the download is complete, access the relevant directory and install the Tor Browser . After installation, open the Tor Browser. It will ask if you want to connect directly to the Tor network or configure ports or proxy settings, then select Connect .
Next, install the pending updates, then press the proceed button.
Step 2: Connect to the Tor network
When connecting (and installing any updates), you will be directed to the Tor Brower homepage:
The initial connection will take some time.
Note: Your Tor connection is localized on the Tor Browser. If you start using torrents or downloading files other than your browser, it will use your normal network connection and your activity will remain "open" to your Internet service provider. If you want to protect all incoming and outgoing Internet traffic, you need to use a VPN. You can refer to one of the TOP 5 best VPN services for computers and mobile to have the right choice.
Step 3: Visit the Facebook Onion page
In the Tor Browser address bar, go to: https://facebookcorewwwi.onion/
Tor does not run as fast as the browser you usually use but it is not too slow. You will have to wait for it to load data for a while. When the Facebook Onion download is complete, you will see the standard Facebook login screen as follows:
Step 4: Verify that you are on the official Facebook page in the Tor browser
Finally, the verification step connects to the Facebook server. Click on the green padlock in the address bar. You can see the steps taken on the page, tracking your access through the Tor network. Now, click on the arrow next to “Secure Connection” and check the certificate. If the name on the certificate is "DigiCert Inc", you are on the official Facebook page.
Step 5: Turn off the HTML5 canvas
When you reach the Facebook onion page, you will see a warning page that is trying to use HTML5 canvas image data. HTML5 canvas data can be used to get browser "fingerprints," so you should turn this feature off when the Tor Browser shows an alert.
Use VPN on Tor
Using the VPN with the Tor Browser, you get an extra layer of security and privacy enhancements. VPNs protect all Internet traffic to and from prying eyes. In addition, if you configure the Tor connection incorrectly, your VPN will prevent Tor traffic from leaking over normal Internet. In this respect, it is really an important backup tool.
Is using Facebook through Tor guaranteed privacy?
The answer is yes. Your privacy and safety will be greatly increased. Connecting to the Facebook Onion site virtually eliminates the risk of potential data attacks, significantly reducing the chance of infecting malware ads or mining cryptocurrency through security settings in the Tor browser.
However, when you log into the Facebook Onion page, Facebook can see what you are doing. That activity is not hidden. Therefore, other people will still see your post, the content you like and comment ... Synonymous, government organizations and anyone can view your profile.
Connecting Facebook via the Tor Browser is not a "panacea" to fix the vulnerability of social networking and its inherent information exploitation nature.
Use Facebook on Tor to avoid censorship
You can use the Tor browser to access Facebook from countries around the world that censor and restrict the Internet, such as China, North Korea, and Iran. Although Facebook handles privacy issues quite well, but as a large, highly-free social network, it is not difficult to avoid spreading fake and provocative content. This is an issue that every country is interested in and of course, you should be a smart user, avoid being fooled by that information.
Above is how to use the Tor Browser to access Facebook securely. Hope the article is helpful to you.