Tell me about bridges in Tor network # ChatGPT Answer [[Tor]], short for [[The Onion Router]], is a free and open-source software that allows anonymous communication on the internet. It's designed to prevent people from learning your location or browsing habits by directing internet traffic through a worldwide network of servers. [[Bridges]] in Tor are Tor relays that aren't listed in the public Tor directory. See [Tor Bridges Landing Page](https://bridges.torproject.org/). This means that their information (such as IP address) is given out in a more controlled manner. They are used to help users connect to the Tor network when these users are unable to access the Tor network directly or their access is blocked. For example, some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or governments may block connections to known Tor relays as a way of censoring access to the network. In these cases, bridges can be used as they are not publicly listed and therefore harder for these entities to block. Bridges act as the first relay in a Tor circuit and know about their user's immediate connection information, although it's important to note they do not have any additional knowledge about the final destination of the traffic. They simply forward traffic along to other relays in the network. # Bard Answer Bridges in the Tor network are essentially hidden entry points that help users bypass censorship and surveillance. Unlike the regular public Tor relays, bridges are not listed in the Tor directory, making them invisible to censors and attackers who might try to block access to the Tor network. Here's how bridges work: 2. **Obtaining Bridge Information:** Bridge information can be obtained from various sources, including the Tor Project website, bridge lists maintained by trusted organizations, or even shared directly by other Tor users. 4. **Connecting to a Bridge:** When a user wants to connect to the Tor network using a bridge, they need to configure their Tor client with the bridge's address and any necessary authentication details. 6. **Hidden Entry Point:** Once connected, the bridge acts as the first hop in the Tor circuit, relaying the user's traffic through the Tor network and concealing their origin from external observers. **Why Use Bridges?** Bridges are particularly useful in countries where the Tor network is blocked or heavily monitored. They provide an alternative way to access the Tor network and enjoy the privacy and anonymity it offers. Additionally, bridges can be used as a backup option in case the regular Tor entry points are overloaded or experiencing technical difficulties. **Types of Bridges:** There are two main types of bridges in the Tor network: - **Standard Bridges:** These are the most common type of bridges and offer a basic level of anonymity. - **Obfsproxy Bridges:** These bridges use pluggable transports to obfuscate the Tor traffic, making it even more difficult for censors to detect and block. **Using Bridges Responsibly:** While bridges are a valuable tool for circumventing censorship and protecting privacy, it's important to use them responsibly. Here are some tips: - **Only use bridges from trusted sources.** - **Do not share bridge information publicly.** - **Be aware that bridges may be slower than regular Tor entry points.** - **Use bridges only when necessary.** Overall, bridges play a crucial role in ensuring the accessibility and resilience of the Tor network. By using them responsibly, users can help maintain their privacy and freedom of expression even in the face of censorship and surveillance. # References ```dataview Table title as Title, authors as Authors where contains(subject, "bridges" ) sort modified desc, authors, title ```