How to Install System Tor and Tor Browser on Ubuntu or Linux Mint (Easiest Terminal Method)

Tor (The Onion Router) is a powerful tool for anonymous browsing, protecting privacy, and accessing .onion websites. This guide will walk you through installing system Tor (Tor service) and Tor Browser on Linux Ubuntu or Mint using the easiest method via the terminal.

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1. Installing System Tor on Ubuntu or Linux Mint

System Tor runs as a background service, allowing applications to route traffic through the Tor network.

Step 1: Update the System

Before installing any software, update your package list:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Tor

Ubuntu and Linux Mint provide Tor in their official repositories. Install it with:

sudo apt install tor -y

Step 3: Enable and Start Tor Service

Once installed, enable and start the Tor service so it runs automatically on boot:

sudo systemctl enable tor
sudo systemctl start tor

To check if the Tor service is running, use:

systemctl status tor

If everything is correct, you should see “active (running)” in green.

Step 4: Verify Tor Connection

To test if Tor is working, use the following command:

tor --version

If you want to connect through Tor using a SOCKS5 proxy, configure your applications to use:

• SOCKS5 Proxy: 127.0.0.1:9050

You can also test your Tor connection using curl:

curl --socks5-hostname 127.0.0.1:9050 https://check.torproject.org

If everything is set up correctly, the output should indicate that you are using Tor.

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2. Installing Tor Browser on Ubuntu or Linux Mint

The Tor Browser allows you to browse anonymously and access .onion sites with built-in privacy protections.

Step 1: Add Tor Project Repository

First, add the Tor Project’s official repository to get the latest version:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:micahflee/ppa

Then, update the package list:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Tor Browser

Install the Tor Browser launcher with:

sudo apt install torbrowser-launcher -y

Step 3: Launch Tor Browser

Run the following command to start the installation and launch the browser:

torbrowser-launcher

The launcher will download and install the latest version of Tor Browser.

Step 4: Running Tor Browser

After installation, you can start Tor Browser from the applications menu or with:

torbrowser-launcher

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Optional: Install Tor Browser Manually (If PPA Fails)

If the repository method does not work, install Tor Browser manually:

Step 1: Download Tor Browser

Download the latest version from the official website:

wget https://www.torproject.org/dist/torbrowser/tor-browser-linux64-latest.tar.xz

Step 2: Extract and Run

Extract the archive and move into the directory:

tar -xvf tor-browser-linux64-latest.tar.xz
cd tor-browser
./start-tor-browser.desktop

This will launch the Tor Browser.

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Conclusion

Installing system Tor and Tor Browser on Ubuntu or Linux Mint is easy using the terminal.

• System Tor allows applications to route traffic through the Tor network.
• Tor Browser provides a secure and private browsing experience.

Now you can use Tor on Linux for anonymous browsing and enhanced privacy! 🚀