Clearnet vs VPN vs Tor

A quick overview

#privacy #tor #vpn

Computer -> clearnet -> Website

ISP: sees that you are connected to website

VPN: n/a

Tor Entrance Node: n/a

Tor Exit Node: n/a

Website: sees your IP address and logs everything that you do on the website

Good for when the expectation of privacy does not exist. A KYC site you are logging into. Utility bill pay site, bank

Computer -> VPN -> Website

ISP: sees that you are connecting to a VPN but not what you are doing afterwards

VPN: sees your IP Address and that you are connecting to a website

Tor Entrance Node: n/a

Tor Exit Node: n/a

Website: sees that someone from a VPN exit node has connected but doesn’t know who. Logs data.

Good for hiding your activity from your ISP. Good for hiding your identity from the website. Good for when you want low level privacy but not anonymity. VPN provider sees everything and your level of privacy depends on how much they know about you and how much data they log and retain (varies greatly from provider to provider).

Computer -> Tor -> Website

ISP: sees that you are connected to Tor but nothing afterwards

VPN: n/a

Tor Entrance Node: sees your IP address but nothing afterwards

Tor Exit Node: sees website you are going to but not who you are

Website: sees someone from Tor has connected but doesn’t know who. Logs.

Good for privacy and anonymity. Assumes that Tor is legal in your country.

Computer -> VPN -> Tor -> Website

ISP: sees that you connected to a VPN but nothing afterwards

VPN: sees IP address and that you are connecting to Tor but nothing afterwards

Tor Entrance Node: sees a VPN is connected but nothing afterwards

Tor Exit Node: sees website you are going to but not who you are

Website: sees someone from Tor has connected but doesn’t know who. Logs.

Good for if your ISP blocks or cancels your service for using Tor. Potentially an option if Tor is illegal in your country (Dangerous).

Computer -> Tor -> VPN -> Website

ISP: sees that you are connecting to Tor but nothing afterwards

VPN: sees someone from Tor is connected and that they are connecting to a website

Tor Entrance Node: sees IP address but nothing afterwards

Tor Exit Node: sees someone is connecting to a VPN but nothing afterwards

Website: sees someone from a VPN is connecting but doesn’t know who. Logs.

Good for when a website blocks Tor traffic. Assumes Tor is legal in your country. Assumes that the VPN doesn’t know who you are. To maximize privacy and anonymity VPN provider should be KYC free and accept privacy payments (ex: Monero).

Note: If a website blocks Tor and VPN then maybe that is a sign that you shouldn’t go there.