What is the difference between TOR and i2p?

Both TOR and i2p facilitate a part of the Dark Web. The Dark Web is a separate part of the internet that offers a high degree of anonymity and privacy to its users. We recently wrote a blog about the difference between the deep web and the dark web, which also explains both terms.

If you're already familiar with the Dark Web, this is a very interesting blog. Many people think the Dark Web is a single standalone program or system. This is not the case, there are several ''dark webs''. The two best-known dark web networks are TOR and I2P. By the way, don't worry... Visiting these links doesn't immediately take you to the dark web, and it's also not illegal. We'll dive into this a bit further later on!

The TOR and I2P networks have a lot in common, but also a number of differences. Both networks offer several advantages for users who need more privacy and anonymity on the web. In this blog we answer the question: what is the difference between TOR and I2P?

TOR: The Onion Router

TOR, or The Onion Router, is a network designed to let users browse the internet anonymously. It uses a technique called 'onion routing', in which internet traffic passes through multiple layers of encryption, spread across different servers or 'nodes'. This technique helps hide the origin of data requests, making it difficult to trace the user's identity.

How does TOR work?

When a user wants to access the internet via TOR, their request is sent through three randomly selected nodes. Each node removes a layer of encryption to reveal the instructions for reaching the next node, without any information about the origin of the request. This ensures that the final destination of the data traffic and the identity of the user remain hidden.

i2p: Invisible Internet Project

i2p, or the Invisible Internet Project, offers a similar but distinctly different approach to online anonymity. i2p uses 'garlic routing', a variant of onion routing, which bundles multiple messages together to enhance security and privacy. Unlike TOR, which emphasizes anonymous web access, i2p focuses more on creating a shielded internal network where users can communicate, exchange files, and use services without exposure to the regular internet. Because the network uses different nodes, I2P offers better protection against data monitoring and espionage.

How does i2p work?

i2p encrypts network traffic in layers and routes it through a network of 'routers' within i2p. These routers are managed by users themselves, resulting in a decentralized network that is highly resistant to surveillance and censorship. This is also why i2p is often recommended for people with very strict privacy requirements.

Other differences between i2p and TOR

• Ease of use: TOR is more easily accessible via a browser and plugin, while i2p requires the use of special software to access the network.

• Network setup: TOR is primarily focused on anonymous access to the regular internet, while i2p is intended as an internal network for anonymous communication and service use.

• Available content: Websites on TOR are available via .onion domains, while i2p uses .i2p domains that offer a range of hidden services and sites.

• Security and privacy: While both networks offer a high degree of privacy, i2p has a slight edge in protection against advanced network monitoring due to its layered and complex routing methods.

Illegal?

Is visiting the previously mentioned websites (TOR & I2P) illegal? No! You're allowed to visit both websites, and also take steps to actually go onto the dark web. Having a dark web browser and visiting these websites themselves is not illegal. What matters is whether you carry out criminal activities on the dark web. As long as you properly follow Dutch law, you can freely operate on the Dark Web.

Just like the chat service Telegram, TOR & I2P offer a high degree of anonymity and privacy. This attracts crime, among other things, but also people who value anonymity. For instance, journalists in some countries aren't allowed to say or write everything, and these kinds of platforms also offer the possibility to anonymously publish certain articles or pass on information. Besides this example, there are countless other ethically responsible actions that can be carried out through these platforms.