The Onion Router vs. Invisible Internet Project

The dark web is a mysterious and often misunderstood part of the internet, known for its anonymous networks and illicit activities. Two popular tools that are often used to access the dark web are Tor and I2P. While both of these tools are designed to provide anonymity and privacy on the internet, there are some significant differences between them.

One of the main differences between Tor and I2P is the way that they route traffic. Tor, which stands for "The Onion Router," uses a network of volunteer-run servers to relay traffic through multiple layers of encryption. This makes it difficult for anyone to trace the origin of the traffic or intercept the communication.

The process of routing traffic through multiple layers of encryption is what gives Tor its name. Each layer of encryption is like an onion skin, and the process of decrypting the traffic as it passes through each layer is like peeling back the layers of an onion. This makes it extremely difficult for anyone to trace the origin of the traffic or intercept the communication.

One of the main benefits of using Tor is that it allows users to access websites on the regular internet as well as the dark web. This means that you can use Tor to browse the internet just like you would with any other web browser, but with the added security and anonymity provided by the multiple layers of encryption.

I2P, on the other hand, uses a different approach called "garlic routing." Instead of relying on a network of servers, I2P uses a peer-to-peer network of participating computers to route traffic. Each participating computer serves as a "node" in the network, and traffic is encrypted and relayed through multiple nodes to its destination.

The process of routing traffic through multiple nodes in a peer-to-peer network is what gives I2P its name. Each node in the network is like a clove of garlic, and the process of routing traffic through multiple nodes is like stringing multiple cloves of garlic together. This makes it difficult for anyone to trace the origin of the traffic or intercept the communication.

One of the main benefits of using I2P is that it is designed to handle a wider range of traffic types, including messaging, file sharing, and even streaming. This makes it a more versatile tool than Tor, which is primarily designed to handle web traffic.

Another difference between Tor and I2P is the level of anonymity they provide. While both Tor and I2P offer a high level of anonymity, some experts argue that I2P provides a more robust level of anonymity due to its peer-to-peer network and the use of multiple layers of encryption.

One of the main drawbacks of using Tor is that it relies on a network of volunteer-run servers, which can make it more vulnerable to attacks and disruptions. For example, if one of the servers in the network is compromised or goes offline, it can affect the overall performance of the network.

I2P, on the other hand, is less vulnerable to attacks and disruptions because it uses a peer-to-peer network. This means that there is no central point of failure, and the network can continue to operate even if some nodes go offline.

Another factor to consider when choosing between Tor and I2P is the level of resources required to run each tool. Tor is a more resource-intensive tool than I2P, which means it may be more challenging to use on devices with limited resources such as smartphones or low-end laptops.

I2P, on the other hand, is designed to be more lightweight and efficient, making it a better choice for devices with limited resources. This can be especially important for users who need to use Tor or I2P in countries where internet connections can be slower than average. Tor will still run on most phones and has a working app on the google play store.