How to torify a web browser?

Question

I have successfully torified a program in terminal under Ubuntu, following https://linuxaria.com/howto/how-to-anonymize-the-programs-from-your-terminal-with-torify:

In this example we’ll keep all the standard configuration but 2 things, in the file /etc/tor/torrc you should uncomment the directive:
ControlPort 9051
And set
CookieAuthentication 0
With these 2 options we set the port on which Tor will listen for local connections from Tor controller applications, and we tell to Tor that we don’t need an authentication, so any program can control Tor (don’t do this on a shared computer or server)

Now I want to test if torify works for a web browser. torify firefox invokes firefox which shows my real external ip through ip lookup websites. torify google-chrome doesn't invoke chrome browser at all.

Why do they not work? How can I make them work? Thanks.

What is your aim in trying to Torify a browser? To then use that browser on the Tor network for privacy/anonymity reasons, or something else? — Richard Horrocks, Apr 19 '16 at 15:37
"use that browser on the Tor network for privacy/anonymity reasons" — Tim, Apr 19 '16 at 19:34
I thought of it. but is it possible to use torify with firefox or chrome? — Tim, Apr 19 '16 at 20:04

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 19 '16 at 20:55

This isn't really possible, and officially advised against.

The whole reason the Tor Browser was created was because of the difficulties in trying to make other browsers "safe".

Have a look at the Tor Browser Design Document, specifically the section on Design Requirements and Philosophy to understand the problems that have to be overcome when creating a Tor-compliant browser.

I believe there are further specific reasons as to why Chrome is a particularly bad candidate for Torification, as discussed in an official blog post, and in previous answers.

Bottom line is: use the Tor Browser.

How to torify a web browser?

1 Answers1