If you are reading this article, it is likely that you use Tor Browser for its privacy and anonymity features. However, you may want to view your browsing history for various reasons, such as checking a previously visited website or keeping track of your online activity. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through how to view your browsing history in Tor Browser, from understanding what it is to enabling and clearing it.
Understanding Tor Browser and Privacy
Before diving into how to view browsing history in Tor Browser, it is essential to understand what Tor Browser is and how it protects your privacy online. Tor Browser is a free, open-source web browser that aims to provide anonymity and security by routing your internet traffic through a network of servers operated by volunteers worldwide, also known as the Tor network.
The Tor network is made up of thousands of relays that are run by volunteers worldwide. When you use Tor Browser, your internet traffic is encrypted and sent through these relays, making it difficult for anyone to trace your online activity back to you. Each relay only knows the IP address of the relay that sent the traffic to it and the IP address of the relay it's sending the traffic to, so no single relay knows both the source and destination of the traffic.
What is Tor Browser?
Tor Browser is a modified version of the Firefox browser, which has been pre-configured with the necessary components to connect to the Tor network. The browser encrypts your internet traffic multiple times, making it difficult for anyone to trace your online activity. Additionally, Tor Browser masks your IP address, making it challenging for websites to track your location and online behavior.
When you use Tor Browser, your internet traffic is encrypted and sent through three relays before it reaches its destination. Each relay decrypts one layer of encryption, revealing the next relay in the chain. The final relay decrypts the last layer of encryption and sends the traffic to its destination.
How Tor Browser Protects Your Privacy
Apart from encrypting your internet traffic and masking your IP address, Tor Browser has additional privacy features. For instance, it disables non-essential features of the browser, such as tracking cookies and scripts, by default. It also provides a built-in ad-blocker, which blocks advertisem*nts from tracking and profiling you. Furthermore, Tor Browser offers a "NoScript" feature, which prevents untrusted scripts from running on web pages, thereby minimizing the risk of malware attacks.
When you use Tor Browser, your internet traffic is also routed through the Tor network in a way that prevents anyone from knowing both your IP address and the websites you visit. This is achieved through a technique called "onion routing," where each relay in the Tor network only knows the IP address of the relay that sent the traffic to it and the IP address of the relay it's sending the traffic to. This makes it virtually impossible for anyone to trace your online activity back to you.
Enabling Browsing History in Tor Browser
Adjusting Tor Browser Settings
By default, Tor Browser does not keep a record of your browsing history, and therefore, you will need to enable it manually. To do this, click on the burger menu on the top right corner of the browser and select "Preferences." From there, select the "Privacy and Security" tab and scroll down to the "History" section. Check the box that says "Remember history", and you're done!
Installing Third-Party Extensions
If you prefer to have more control over your browsing history, you can install third-party extensions that specialize in history management. A good example is the "History AutoDelete" extension, which automatically deletes your browsing history based on preset rules. To install it, click on the burger menu on the top right corner of the browser and select "Add-ons." In the search bar, type "History AutoDelete" and click on the "Add to Firefox" button. Once the extension is installed, click on the burger menu again, select "Add-ons," and navigate to the "Extensions" tab to configure its settings.
Viewing Browsing History in Tor Browser
Accessing the History Tab
Now that you have enabled browsing history in Tor Browser, you can view your browsing history by clicking on the burger menu and selecting "Library," then "History." Alternatively, you can press "Ctrl+Shift+H" on your keyboard to open the History tab. From the History tab, you can see a chronological list of websites you have visited.
Navigating and Searching Your Browsing History
To navigate your browsing history, you can scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top to find specific websites. You can also sort your history by date, most visited, and recently bookmarked by clicking on the respective criteria. If you want to remove a specific website from your browsing history, simply right-click on it and select "Forget About This Site."
Clearing Your Browsing History in Tor Browser
Manually Deleting Your Browsing History
If you want to clear your browsing history manually, click on the burger menu and select "Library," then "History." From there, click on the "Clear Recent History" button, choose the time range you want to clear, and select the type of data you want to delete.
Setting Up Automatic History Deletion
Alternatively, you can set up automatic history deletion using the "History AutoDelete" extension we mentioned earlier. To do this, click on the burger menu, select "Add-ons," and navigate to the "Extensions" tab. From there, click on the gear icon next to the "History AutoDelete" extension and select "Options." Under the "Rules" section, you can set the conditions under which your browsing history will be automatically deleted.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Privacy
Using Private Browsing Mode
One surefire way of keeping your online activity private is by using Tor Browser's "Private Browsing Mode," also known as "New Identity." This feature closes all open tabs and windows and starts a new Tor circuit, effectively wiping your browsing history and protecting you from any ongoing tracking attempts. To access this mode, click on the burger menu and select "New Identity."
Utilizing a VPN for Extra Security
If you want an additional layer of security, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in conjunction with Tor Browser. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a different server, making it even more challenging for anyone to trace your online activity. However, it is essential to choose a reputable VPN that does not log your data or compromise your privacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, browsing history can be a helpful tool for tracking your online activity and identifying trends. However, it can also be a liability if it falls on the wrong hands. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can enable, view, and clear your browsing history in Tor Browser while maintaining your online privacy and anonymity. Remember to also utilize other privacy features, such as Private Browsing Mode and VPNs, for maximum security. Happy browsing!
