The Tor Undertaking has launched Tor Browser 13.5, bringing a number of enhancements and enhancements for Android and desktop variations.
The Tor Browser is a specialised open-source internet browser designed for nameless shopping by routing the person’s site visitors by means of 1000’s of volunteer-run servers known as nodes/relays, which represent the Tor community.
Tor additionally gives entry to “.onion” web sites, that are solely accessible over the Tor community and are generally used for privateness and anonymity. The browser additionally options many built-in protections in opposition to persistent monitoring and fingerprinting.
In Tor 13.5, the builders targeted extra on usability enhancements than implementing main safety or privacy-preserving mechanisms.
Desktop enhancements
Beginning with the desktop model, Tor Browser 13.5 brings higher bridge administration, improved letterboxing, and extra constant error messages.
Letterboxing – The visible design of letterboxing has been enhanced to cut back confusion amongst new customers, making it clear that it’s a privacy-protecting function somewhat than a bug.
New settings have been launched, permitting customers to recollect the final window measurement they used and modify the alignment of the letterbox throughout the Normal Settings menu.
Supply: Tor
Bridge settings – Bridge playing cards, which assist customers handle connections used to bypass censorship, have been redesigned for a extra compact and user-friendly structure.
The brand new design pre-labels the sources of bridges, whether or not they’re built-in, requested, or added by the person, making it simpler to handle them.
Supply: Tor
Onion web site errors – The design of onion web site error messages has been simplified to align visually with different community error messages within the browser.
Android enhancements
Traditionally, the Android model of Tor at all times lagged behind the desktop app, missing most of the newest options or providing half-baked implementations of some key mechanisms.
With the discharge of model Tor 13.5, the builders need to make strides in direction of altering that, introducing a number of key enhancements for the Android app.
New connection expertise – The connection screens in Tor Browser for Android have been utterly overhauled to supply a extra native and constant person expertise.
They’re designed to put the groundwork for the longer term introduction of the ‘Connection Help’ computerized censorship circumvention system.
Tor logs – Tor logs, which assist troubleshoot points by recording Tor’s background exercise, have been relocated to a brand new “Connection Settings” part throughout the settings menu.
This variation signifies that customers can now entry their Tor logs at any level, no matter their connection standing.
Supply: Tor
Lastly, the Tor staff reminds customers that 13.5 is the final main model of their browser to assist Home windows 8.1 and older and macOS 10.14 and older.
That stated, these nonetheless utilizing these outdated working methods ought to take into account shifting to a more recent launch, or they may cease receiving safety fixes and updates.
Tor Browser 14.0 is ready to launch someday within the final quarter of 2024, so impacted customers are given a number of months to plan and execute their improve.