Tor is not an encryption software, so you should still keep your confidential information confidential unless you're communicating via https or vpn. Tor allows you to bounce your communication around a distributed network and prevents anyone to monitor your browsing activity. The purpose of using Tor is to provide individuals with privacy protection and anonymity. By using Tor, one's usage is completely concealed including online posts, the type of websites that have been visited and any instant messages that have been exchanged. If an individual is using Tor, it becomes fairly difficult to track his or her Internet activity. This software directs all Internet traffic and usage through a free volunteer network that exists worldwide, and has over six thousand relays to hide ip and location of the user and hide Internet usage from individuals and authorities that are in charge of carrying out traffic analysis or network surveillance. The name, Tor is an acronym that has been derived from the original name of the software project, which was The Onion Router. Tor is a free software program that allows users to communicate anonymously.

Tor network design