Last updated: March 11, 2021
Brave Software of San Francisco, CA, USA, launched a Private Tabs with Tor beta feature when it released Muon-based Brave browser 0.23 desktop. Its introduction let users access the Tor network with Brave browser for the first time. Brave itself launched in 2016 as a privacy-focused web browser. It blocks ads, trackers, and malware by default, which makes browsing faster and safer. When Brave redesigned its browser software using open-source Chromium (Brave version .057), Tor access moved from a private tab to a Private Window with Tor.
Originally known as The Onion Router, Tor is free software used for anonymous communication. It relays your communications around a global volunteer overlay network to hide your location and usage from surveillance. In doing so, Tor protects your personal privacy and freedom to communicate with others without fear of being monitored. When launching a Tor-powered window within Brave, the Tor network anonymizes communication within that window.
Opening a Private Window with Tor
Private Window with Tor is available for use by default. First, download Brave browser. If you have it installed already, make sure you are running the latest version. Once installed and/or updated, launch Brave. Click the Customize and control Brave icon (the 3-line menu) and choose New private window with Tor.
You can also use the Alt-Shift-N keyboard shortcut to launch a new private window with Tor (Option-Command-N on macOS). A new Tor-powered Brave browser window launches. Distinguish the Tor-powered window from a standard Brave window by its dark theme and by the Private with Tor icon in the upper-right corner.
It is important to note that you will have a more sluggish internet experience within a Tor-powered window. Tor relays your connection through three different servers to anonymize your IP address. Some sites may restrict your access or request a security check to prove you are human.
If the connection is too slow or stubborn, try requesting a new connection to initiate a new route. Click the Customize and control Brave icon and choose New Tor Connection For This Site.
Thank you for visiting Tech Help Knowledgebase to learn how to use Tor with Brave browser.
Henry Irvine, Contributing Technology Writer, translates more than a decade of internet technology experience in product and customer relationship management into practical help and how-to content. Look for him on Bay Area trails, music venues, or sausage shacks when he’s not writing. Don’t call him Hank if you see him. Seriously. Hank on Twitter
