In the early 2000s, software was developed to hide the traces of Internet browsing. The application was free, and its code was in the public domain – the edits made by the programmers improved the quality of its work. Only three arbitrary nodes are used to transfer data:

A data packet with the address of the second point in encrypted form is transmitted to the first node.
The address is decrypted and redirected.
The second node does a similar job, passing the packet to the third node.
The data is transferred to the final delivery point.

Encryption affects only addresses, information is transmitted in its original form. However, this is sufficient for anonymity – the Internet provider, for example, does not receive information about the pages visited. Using the tor browser, you can visit blocked resources, so the provider tries to track the traffic of this application.

The only drawback of this program is the low data transfer rate due to the specifics of address encryption. Otherwise, it is a browser with familiar functions that provides anonymity to the user. Attackers will not be able to trace the external IP address, and the possibility of network attacks is also excluded.

Decent alternatives

In the App Store for mobile devices running the iOS platform, there are a lot of replacements for the well-known Torah, both free and requiring a purchase (in some cases, a subscription). We have chosen four of the most interesting projects from the general heap of worthy and not too much projects. Now let’s look at each of them in more detail.

VPN + TOR Browser

The application combines a VPN service and the browser itself for accessing the Web. Such a bundle is designed to ensure the safety of user data, but with certain compromises.

It is distributed free of charge by itself, but a subscription is available for purchase that expands the standard features.

Onion Browser

This Internet browser is distributed completely free of charge and is almost a complete analogue of the standard Torah for PC and mobile devices. Therefore, it has the same advantages (high security, bypassing locks, etc.) and disadvantages (long loading of web pages, the inability to play media content, and more).

Tor by Nikolay Axenov

The developer highlights the following advantages of the project:

High anonymity and protection of personal data.
Fast internet surfing.
The ability to bypass any network blocking.
Built-in video player.

The application is provided free of charge for 3 days, and then you need to purchase a subscription.

Key features and capabilities

The main idea of Onion Browser (TOP browser) is to provide an opportunity to use the Internet anonymously on iOS. And in any way you like – even commenting on the entries (of course, not on social networks from the main account), even agitating to go to the rally. If done correctly, the source of the work done will never be found.

The rest of the possibilities, one way or another, rest on the functionality of a standard browser – bookmarks, favorite pages, font settings and themes, and other averaged functionality that is not able to surprise anyone. And why? The purpose of Tor browsers is known even without a beautiful interface.

Endless Browser

Endless Browser encrypts all your HTTPS connections using HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) and HTTPS Everywhere, rejecting insecure SSLv2 and SSLv3 connections. To limit tracking, Do-Not-Track headers are sent and ad and social media and tracker addresses are blocked.

You can also block JavaScript on a site-by-site basis, preventing pop-ups from appearing unless triggered by touching the screen. You can stop firewall scripting attacks on local network resources, such as your router’s configuration page.

The Onion Browser developer wants to integrate a future version of the Tor software with this browser. The two applications approach security practices from different angles, so they complement each other. In the meantime, you need to choose one or the other solution. The browser is free and runs on iOS 10.0 or later on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Ghostery Privacy Browser

Ghostery was originally a privacy extension for browsers on computers. On the iPhone, its developers decided to offer a full-fledged browser. At its core, it is a tracker blocker, a tool to prevent tracking by advertisers and statistics measurement networks.

Ghostery Privacy Browser will easily allow you to get rid of observers of various services by disabling all detected trackers. There’s also an experimental feature called Wi-Fi Protection that uses VPN servers to filter and block trackers in other apps if you’re connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The browser is free and runs on iOS 8.0 and newer versions of the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Firefox Focus

Choosing the best browser for iPhone from a security standpoint, Firefox Focus is worth highlighting. Basically, it is a scaled-down version of the standard iOS app, focused on protecting privacy. The user is protected from risks immediately after logging into the web explorer. Focus guarantees higher level privacy at no cost.

Pros:

automatic operation of private mode;
quick deletion of history, passwords and cookies;
destruction of trackers and ads.

This is the best browser for iPads and iPhones from a security standpoint. It does not require complex settings and is immediately available for work. By default, the program monitors ads, monitors content and social networks. During operation, you can see how many trackers have been blocked by Firefox Focus (just click on the shield symbol).

Installation and configuration

If there is a need to try out a miracle technology called the “TOP browser” on the iOS operating system, then it is problematic to find the free Onion Browser (which appeared first and long ago turned into a real legend) in the Apple digital store at the request of “Tor Browser”. In the search, there are options for every taste and, as a rule, from completely unknown developers who either do not inspire any confidence (there are few reviews, and even those are 3-4 stars), or they look like a temporary phenomenon that will soon cease to be updated … Therefore, when searching in the App Store, it is better to immediately enter Onion Browser and proceed with the installation, which will end in a few seconds:

The first step is to use the built-in search, enter the correct phrase, make sure that the developer is Mike Tigas, click “download”;
Wait until the download is complete, click “Open”;
Read the developer’s introductory speeches, remember how Tor networks work and what they lead to, find out where the technology is used and why it is important to support the idea of a free Internet at the beginning of the 21st century;
Agree with the requirements, if necessary, stop at the point of choosing bridges (repeaters that allow you to bypass the provider’s regional blocking for using TOR – you will not have to pay for such an opportunity with money, time – the speed when surfing will drop quite strongly)
If it works without a bridge, you can safely move on. If it doesn’t work, you should try different results that appear (the list often changes) and choose the most stable one);
Wait until the iOS browser automatically establishes a connection with different network nodes and allows you to start surfing. By the way, for additional verification (does it really work?), You should visit any site that determines the current IP address. Alternatively – 2ip.ru;
The check takes a few seconds, but you can find out which network node is currently in use.

Aloha Browser

Aloha Browser is another browser with standard WebKit functionality. However, the developers have added some of their own. When surfing in anonymous mode, you can protect some pages with a password or using Touch ID.

The browser supports playing music in the background. Also knows how to work with virtual reality.

However, there are moments that are alarming. For example, the browser asks for permission to access the camera.

Maxthon

The brainchild of Chinese software developer Maxthon has been on the browser market for over ten years. From being a heavy-handed resemblance to Internet Explorer in 2004, it has evolved into a viable alternative to mobile browsers on Android and iOS platforms. In July 2012, the company announced the release of the first mobile version of the Maxthon cloud browser for iOS.

The key features of Maxthon are its interaction with a remote storage – “cloud”, into which both individual links, fragments of text and images, and files of various formats can be added. Supports Maxthon and synchronization of tabs between different browser versions (under OS X and iOS).

Advantages:

reading mode;
flexible interface customization;
sync tabs;
availability of a “stationary” version;
good integration with the cloud;
work in full screen mode;

Disadvantages:

periodic departures;
unstable work with a large number of open tabs;

Verdict: A powerful browser with good rendering speed of web pages and tight integration with its own cloud.

Firefox on iPhone – Browser for iPhone without ads

The menu allows you to add a page to your favorites in various ways, including putting it on the first home page of the browser. Firefox for iPhone has night mode. Also, note in the settings an easily accessible item that allows you to delete all personal information. There is also the usual anonymous mode.

The browser also supports data compression and display of pages in text mode.

Opera Mini – fast browser for iOS

Opera Mini is, in a sense, the legend of the mobile Internet. At the beginning of the century, the Norwegian manufacturer’s mobile browser was installed on many smartphones and even advanced phones.

Opera has lost ground today. This is another WebKit browser. Like Yandex Browser, Opera offers not only paid bookmarks, but also a selection of news from popular sites. It binds to the region specified in the iOS settings.

The browser supports all the standard features that other applications do. It is distinguished only by the red design. Also, the address bar contains a little more elements, there is also an asterisk for adding to bookmarks.

Safari (+Betternet +BlockBear)

The stock browser in iOS remains the most stable, convenient and beautiful. Through iCloud, it syncs all your bookmarks and passwords (with two-factor protection), and not everyone wants to get used to new applications.

Safari already has a pop-up blocker, a “do not track” option, and warnings about phishing sites.

If you want to hide your location from your big brother and connect to sites from other countries, you can use the free VPN service Betternet. BlockBear is suitable for blocking ads.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft’s browser, which few people use on Windows 10, is now available for Android and iOS. A key feature is the ability to quit on your smartphone and resume from where you left off on your computer. You can start reading a web page or filling out a form on one device and finish on the other.

The browser syncs favorites and passwords between devices with a Microsoft account. Microsoft is promising a built-in QR code scanner, voice search via Cortana on iOS, and a mode called InPrivate for discreet browsing. First, there will be browser support on the iPhone, then on the iPad.

Mercury

Getting a 5-star rating in the App Store is truly a success and recognition from users. This is what the Mercury browser can boast of. It looks like the Mercury has almost no flaws. It provides the ability to change custom themes, synchronize tabs with third-party browsers such as Firefox and Chrome, integration with cloud services Dropbox, OneDrive, GoogleDrive, Box (built-in cloud client).

The list of available functionality does not end there due to the ability to install extensions (due to the peculiarities of the iOS platform, this is a relative rarity among third-party applications) and Internet filters. In addition, Mercury also includes support for gestures for even faster surfing. An extended paid version of the Mercury Browser Pro browser is provided, which costs 69 rubles.

How to choose a web explorer

Above, we reviewed the TOP mobile browsers for iOS. Judging by the characteristics, they are all worthy of attention. But there is no point in installing all applications on the iPhone and loading memory. You must choose one program that meets all the requirements. When choosing, be guided by the following criteria:

Interface and usability. It is important that you make the web explorer easy to use and that its design is not difficult to find tools.
Confidentiality. The best browser for iOS should protect the user from surveillance and hacking. VPN and other security tools are just a plus.
Built-in functions. Depending on your preferences, you need to look at the availability of additional options, for example, a built-in video and audio player, translator, archiver, etc.

When choosing, it is important to take into account other factors – download speed, availability of a free version, ad protection, etc.

Ulli Smart Web Browser

The developer talks about the use of artificial intelligence, he helps those users who themselves do not know what they want. Pressing the magic button while reading web pages will bring up a list of suggestions for what to read next. Imagine reading an article about a new movie. This button can offer a movie trailer, an overview, the ability to buy tickets at a local cinema.

If you choose to buy tickets, the following suggestions will allow you to view a map, order a taxi to the cinema, or find nearby restaurants. When you have made your choice, you will be prompted to book a table, etc. The browser is free, runs on iOS 9.0 and newer on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.

iCab Mobile

According to many users, iCab Mobile is the best browser for the iPhone because it includes everything that standard Safari lacks. Particularly pleasing are the presence of real tabs, which remain familiar thanks to desktop browsers. IPhones of the 4th and 5th generations are unlikely to appreciate this advantage, but for 10-inch iPads this format is more convenient.

For those who believe that tabs take up too much screen space, iCab Mobile has a second trump card – the ability to switch to full screen mode. The extreme right button in the bookmarks bar removes all unnecessary from the screen.

Another plus is flexible customization. The user can activate modes such as Site Compression and Private Browsing: the first is necessary to save traffic, the second allows you to keep secret the pages that the user visited.

ICab Mobile also has a drawback: it is a paid browser, moreover, the price bites – 149 rubles. There are many free alternatives, so users are in no rush to spend their money.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome with Flash Player support may be the most popular mobile browser, but this is mainly because Android dominates the smartphone market. On devices with iOS, it significantly lags behind the Safari browser in terms of distribution, here it is rather exotic.

If you use Chrome on a laptop or computer, you can sync bookmarks and visited pages through your Google account, Safari calls this feature Handoff. One-click access to Google translator, voice search instead of Siri, QR code scanner above the virtual keyboard.

Incognito mode avoids sending cookies and browser history. Google Chrome is free and runs on iOS 9.0 and later on iPhone and iPad. Install for android, ios.

So what should I put?

For users who do not want to give up the familiar Safari, the option of installing a VPN and blocking ads is quite suitable. That is, point 1.

If you want to remain completely unnoticed on the Internet and at the same time have a large number of additional features, use Red Onion. A more secure and anonymous browser in the App Store simply cannot be found.

Analogs

It is not possible to immediately describe the set of available Onion Browser alternatives for iOS – in the App Store, the list of the best has already exceeded a hundred for a long time. And every iOS developer offers some incredible capabilities that are very different from the competition. And although such extraordinary features are really easy to find in every iOS browser, these “chips” change the interface, and partially rule the optimization. If such features have been lacking in Onion for a long time, you can safely start experimenting – the Apple store is full of options with high ratings (Tor web Browser, VPN + TOR, Lukovka), but if everything suits you, why change the working option to an unknown and unusual one?

Conclusion

The Tor browser provides anonymity on the Internet, protecting user data and minimizing the possibility of getting under a network attack. Unlike PCs and Android devices, the iOS app store only offers analogues. However, the best among them is free, while others require a subscription.

Sources used and useful links on the topic: https://appsetter.ru/tor-brauzer-dlya-telefonov-iphone.html https://torrbrowser.ru/tor-browser-for-ios https://MyApples.ru/ ios / tor-browser https://opartnerke.ru/luchshij-brauzer-dlya-ios-alternativy-safari/ https://WindowsTips.ru/luchshij-brauzer-dlya-ios https://xdrv.ru/articles/ software / 442 / full https://www.iphones.ru/iNotes/405172 https://www.iphones.ru/iNotes/5-secured-ios-browsers https://SetPhone.ru/prilozheniya/muki-vybora -kakoj-brauzer-luchshe-dlya-iphone /

Post source: lastici.ru