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World desk3 min

How to Set Up a Proxy or Tor When a VPN Is Unavailable

Try Tor Browser’s direct connection first; if Tor is blocked, use Connection Assist or a bridge. Configure a browser proxy only with settings supplied to you.
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You don’t need a VPN to start Tor Browser: try Connect first. If Tor is blocked, use Connection Assist or a bridge. If an administrator or proxy provider gave you a proxy address and port, configure those details in the browser that needs them—don’t guess at public proxy settings.

Choose the route that matches your situation

Option Use it when What you need Coverage
Tor Browser direct connection You want to browse with Tor and a direct connection is available. Tor Browser; no separate proxy details. Tor Browser traffic.
Tor Browser with a bridge A direct Tor connection appears blocked. Connection Assist or an available bridge address. Tor Browser traffic.
Browser proxy Your organization or provider has supplied a proxy endpoint. The provided hostname, port, and any other required configuration. The browser configured to use it; not necessarily other apps.

These options solve different problems. A bridge changes how Tor Browser connects to Tor; a browser proxy uses an endpoint supplied to you. Neither is a universal substitute for a VPN covering device traffic.

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Set up Tor Browser

Try a direct connection first

  1. Open Tor Browser. On the first-launch screen, select Connect. In most cases, the Tor Project says this works without extra configuration: Tor Browser first launch.
  2. If the connection stalls, or you know your network blocks Tor, select Configure Connection and try Connection Assist or a bridge.

Try Connection Assist or a bridge if Tor is blocked

Connection Assist may select a bridge using location information. If automatic detection does not work, you can choose a region and try a bridge. A bridge may fail or be unavailable, so it is not a guaranteed fix. See the Tor Project’s instructions for using bridges.

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If you already have a bridge address, on desktop open Configure Connection, find Bridges, choose the option to enter known bridge addresses, add each address on its own line, and connect. In a running desktop browser, use Settings → Connection → Bridges. If labels have changed in your version, follow the current connection settings. You can request bridge addresses through Tor Browser or the Tor Project’s bridge-distribution service.

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Configure a proxy in Firefox

Use this route only if your administrator or proxy provider has given you the configuration details. Mozilla’s Firefox settings support no proxy, automatic detection, system proxy settings, manual configuration, and an automatic proxy configuration URL (PAC). Exact menu labels can vary by Firefox release.

  1. Open Firefox Settings and go to the network or proxy connection settings. Mozilla’s guide, Connection settings in Firefox, explains the available choices.
  2. Choose manual proxy configuration and enter the hostname and port supplied by your administrator or provider. Ask them for the details if you do not have them.
  3. If the same proxy applies to HTTPS, enable Firefox’s option to use it for HTTPS too. Otherwise, follow the configuration instructions you were given.

If you are unsure whether a proxy is required, check with your organization or compare the settings with a browser that is already working. Don’t enter random values: an incorrect or unreachable proxy can stop sites from loading. These instructions are specific to Firefox; other browsers and operating systems have their own controls.

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Know what these setups do—and don’t do

A browser proxy may not cover other apps

A proxy configured in Firefox should not be treated as protection for every program on your device. Some applications, including torrent clients, may ignore proxy settings and connect directly. A proxy is also not automatically an encrypted tunnel for all device traffic.

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Use Tor Browser for Tor browsing

The Tor Project warns that using another browser with Tor can create deanonymization and information-leakage risks. Tor Browser is modified for the Tor network; see About Tor Browser. The project also says, “Tor Browser cannot guarantee perfect anonymity.” Its best practices explain additional safety considerations.

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Keep HTTPS protections enabled

Tor Browser includes HTTPS-Only Mode, which upgrades connections to HTTPS when the destination supports it. HTTPS helps protect the connection to that site from eavesdropping and tampering; it does not eliminate every privacy or identity risk. Learn more about secure connections.

Respect network rules and local requirements

Tor or a proxy will not bypass every network restriction, and whether their use is permitted depends on the circumstances and applicable rules. Follow your organization’s network policies and the rules that apply where you are.

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