1. What Are Bridges in Tor?
- Bridges are specialized Tor relays designed to help users bypass censorship and access the Tor network in regions where Tor usage is actively blocked or restricted. They provide an additional layer of obfuscation, making it difficult for censors to detect and block Tor traffic.
2. Types of Bridges:
- Obfs4 Bridges:
- Obfs4 (Obfuscated 4) bridges are one of the most effective types of bridges for circumventing censorship. They use a protocol that obfuscates or disguises the Tor traffic, making it appear as regular internet traffic. This obfuscation makes it challenging for censors to identify and block Tor connections. Obfs4 bridges are widely used in regions with strict censorship.
- Snowflake Bridges:
- Snowflake bridges are experimental and work differently from traditional bridges. They rely on a technology called WebRTC to create ephemeral, peer-to-peer connections between users and volunteers who run Snowflake proxies. While still in development, Snowflake bridges aim to help users in highly restricted environments access the Tor network.
- Custom Bridges:
- Custom bridges can be effective when you have specific needs, such as requiring a bridge in a particular location or wanting to avoid using known bridges. These bridges are not publicly listed, and you can set them up or obtain them through trusted contacts.
3. Choosing the Right Bridge:
- The choice of bridge depends on your specific situation and requirements:
- If you are in a region with strict censorship, Obfs4 bridges are a solid choice due to their proven effectiveness in evading censorship.
- Snowflake bridges are experimental and may be a suitable option for users in unique situations. They rely on volunteers, so their availability may vary.
- Custom bridges can be useful when you have specific needs, but setting them up may require technical expertise.