The Tor Browser VS Smart HTTPS

• Anonymity
  Tor Browser routes your internet traffic through a network of servers, hiding your IP address and making it difficult to trace your online activities back to you.
• Access to Blocked Content
  Tor enables users to access websites and services that may be censored or blocked in their country, offering more freedom on the internet.
• Encryption
  Tor encrypts your data multiple times as it passes through its network, providing a higher level of security compared to traditional web browsing.
• No Tracking
  Tor Browser is designed to minimize tracking by disabling cookies and tracking scripts, protecting users from being tracked by websites and third-party advertisers.
• Free and Open Source
  The Tor Browser is free to use and its code is open source, allowing users to review and contribute to its development.

Possible disadvantages

• Speed
  Because data is routed through multiple servers (nodes), browsing with Tor can be significantly slower compared to standard browsers.
• Website Compatibility
  Some websites may not function properly due to Tor's security features, such as blocking scripts and cookies, limiting user experience.
• Potential for Misuse
  While Tor provides privacy, it can also be used for illegal activities because of the anonymity it offers, leading to a controversial reputation.
• Limited Features
  To enhance security, Tor Browser disables plugins and some interactive content, which might be restrictive for users who rely on these features.
• Target for Surveillance
  Simply using Tor may attract attention from government agencies, as it is commonly associated with users seeking privacy or engaging in illicit activities.

• Automatic Redirection to HTTPS
  Smart HTTPS automatically changes HTTP protocol to HTTPS, which enhances the security of your browsing by ensuring that the connection is encrypted.
• Fallback to HTTP
  In cases where an HTTPS version of the site is not available, it can automatically revert back to HTTP, ensuring you can still access the website instead of facing a disruption.
• Whitelist Feature
  Allows users to maintain a whitelist of websites that should always be accessed using HTTP, providing flexibility and control over the browsing experience.
• Improved Privacy
  By automatically using HTTPS, it helps in protecting user data from eavesdroppers and enhances privacy while browsing the web.

Possible disadvantages

• Compatibility Issues
  Some websites may not function correctly over HTTPS, leading to potential misbehavior or broken features when accessed using Smart HTTPS.
• Potential for Increased Loading Times
  Sometimes, redirecting to HTTPS can result in slightly longer loading times, especially if the server's configuration is not optimal for HTTPS.
• Resource Intensive
  The addon might consume additional resources to check for HTTPS versions of every site, which could impact browser performance, especially on older systems.
• Limited Control Over Redirection
  Users might have limited ability to control which sites are redirected to HTTPS if they haven't preemptively whitelisted specific HTTP sites.

Tracking The Tor Browser since Nov 2022.

• “We don’t track you … except for when we get paid for it.”

  Smart HTTPS, site This tries to send you to https sites instead of http sites. Using http sites makes you venerable to man in the middle attacks. (dont use http on public wifis if possible). Source: over 4 years ago

• question about non secure websites

  I'd recommend using Smart HTTPS which automatically makes your site's HTTPS if it can offer it so it will reduce these situations. Here's the site where you can choose whichever browser you use. https://mybrowseraddon.com/smart-https.html. Source: over 4 years ago