Week 5 Assignment

Differences between Tor, VPN, and Proxy Servers

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Differences between Tor, VPN, and Proxy Servers

Tor, VPN, and proxy are three of the most common internet servers. Tor is free, open-source software that enables users to remain anonymous when using internet services (Belcic, 2020). Typically, Tor can be used as a robust, additional security layer for online anonymity, mainly when used alongside another server such as a VPN. Tor functions by sending traffic via nodes – a series of three points – that obscures the user's point of origin before availing them (user) of the website they intend to visit. A VPN (a virtual private network) is a remote server that encrypts the entire internet traffic between the device in use and the VPN server (Belcic, 2020).

Conversely, a proxy server is an intermediary between the internet and the browser. In other words, a proxy server directs traffic via another computer instead of using your device or personal computer (Belcic, 2020). Therefore, as a user, your IP address is concealed in the proxy.

Performing digital forensics on a Tor server can determine if the server has layered encryption and a traffic-relay system (Kumar, 2020). If the data seems to have emanated from a multilayered server in nature, then Tor is the server in question. The most important thing that investigators should know about Tor is whether or not the user’s IP address remained hidden from the sites they browsed through. Analyzing a VPN server can be done by determining the real location of the user. An investigator should know that, being a remote server, a VPN aid in changing the user’s real location (Kumar, 2020). Digital forensics against a proxy server can determine the computer or device where traffic was directed into. Essentially, an investigator should know that a proxy server is the user’s identity on the web. Besides, it hides the user's actual IP address (Kumar, 2020).

References

Belcic, I. (2020). VPN, proxy, or tor? Retrieved from https://www.avg.com/en/signal/vpn-vs-proxy-vs-tor

Kumar, P. (2020). What is the difference between tor, VPN, and proxy? Retrieved from https://www.pcmobitech.com/what-is-the-difference-between-tor-vpn-and-proxy/#:~:text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20security%2C%20Proxy%20is%20considered,safeguards%20your%20traffic%20from%20prying%20eyes%20quite%20adeptly .