Orbot

{{short description|Free software project to provide anonymity on the Internet from an Android smartphone}}

{{about|the software|the Sonic character|Orbot and Cubot|the series|Mighty Orbots}}

{{Infobox software

| name = Orbot

| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2008|10|01}}

| latest release version =

Android: {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q16927751|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}
({{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q16927751|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}})

iOS: {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q16927751|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309}}
({{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q16927751|P348|P400=Q48493|P548=Q2804309|P577}})

| latest preview version =

| latest preview date =

| programming language = Java

| operating system = Android, iOS{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Andrew |date=2022-02-28 |title=Need Tor on iOS? 'Orbot' has Arrived on the Platform |url=https://www.macobserver.com/news/orbot-on-ios/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Mac Observer |language=en-US}}

| size = Varies with device

| language =

| genre =

| license = 3-clause BSD license

| website = {{URL|https://orbot.app/en/}}

}}

Orbot is a free proxy app that provides anonymity on the Internet for users of the Android and iOS operating systems. It allows traffic from apps such as web browsers, email clients, map programs, and others to be routed via the Tor network.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ehacking.net/2011/04/orbot-tor-anonymous-on-android.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418185427/http://www.ehacking.net/2011/04/orbot-tor-anonymous-on-android.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 April 2011|access-date=21 July 2012|publisher=eHacking.net|title=Orbot: Tor- Anonymous on Android|first=Irfan|last=Shakeel|date=April 2011}}

This tool is used to keep the communications of users anonymous and hidden from governments and third parties that might be monitoring their internet traffic.{{Cite web|access-date=21 July 2012|title=From encryption to darknets: As governments snoop, activists fight back|first=Cyrus|publisher=Ars Technica|last=Farivar|date=15 February 2012|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/the-networked-society/2012/02/from-encryption-to-darknets-as-governments-snoop-activists-fight-back.ars}}

Reception

In 2014 Orbot was discussed in detail in an article on "reporting securely from an Android device".{{Cite web|title=Advice for reporting securely from an Android device|url=https://ijnet.org/fr/node/3302|access-date=2021-08-22|website=Réseau international des journalistes|language=fr}} In January 2016, Lisa Vaas of NakedSecurity by Sophos described how to use Tor, including with Orbot on Android, to connect to Facebook.{{Cite web |last=Vaas |first=Lisa |date=2016-01-21 |title=Facebook users get support for safe browsing with Tor on Androids |url=https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2016/01/21/facebook-users-get-support-for-safe-browsing-with-tor-on-androids/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Naked Security |language=en-US}}

In July 2021, Tech Radar named Orbot one of 8 "Best privacy apps for Android in 2021" but warned of slower speeds.{{Cite web|last=Drake|first=Nate|date=2021-07-28|title=Best privacy apps for Android in 2021|url=https://www.techradar.com/best/best-privacy-apps-for-android|access-date=2021-08-22|website=TechRadar|language=en}} In July 2021 Android Authority discussed Tor Browser and Orbot in brief reviews of "15 best Android browsers".{{Cite web|date=2021-07-29|title=15 best Android browsers for surfing whatever website you want|url=https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-browsers-320252/|access-date=2021-08-22|website=Android Authority|language=en-US}}

In November 2021, John Leyden of The Daily Swig described collaboration between the Tor Project and the Guardian Project to develop Orbot for censorship circumvention for any application on a device, but warned Orbot does not remove identifying information from app traffic.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-18 |title=Tor Project unveils plans to route device traffic through Tor anonymity network with new VPN-like service |url=https://portswigger.net/daily-swig/tor-project-unveils-plans-to-route-device-traffic-through-tor-anonymity-network-with-new-vpn-like-service |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=The Daily Swig {{!}} Cybersecurity news and views |language=en}} In July 2022, Laiba Mohsin of PhoneWorld.com described Orbot as a simple way to access the Dark Web on mobile.{{Cite web |last=Mohsin |first=Laiba |date=2022-07-06 |title=What Is Dark Web & How To Access It? |url=https://www.phoneworld.com.pk/what-is-dark-web-how-to-access-it/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=PhoneWorld |language=en-US}}

In October 2022, Damir Mujezinovic of MakeUseOf described Orbot as a "flagship" product for both iOS and Android to use the Tor network, and said it "will not make you completely anonymous, but it can certainly help bypass certain geographical restrictions,"{{Cite web |last=Mujezinovic |first=Damir |date=2022-10-27 |title=The 5 Best Free Apps to Strengthen Your Smartphone's Security |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/free-apps-boost-smartphones-security/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=MUO |language=en}} In November 2022, Mujezinovic wrote a detailed guide to using Orbot on iOS or Android.{{Cite web |last=Mujezinovic |first=Damir |date=2022-11-07 |title=How to Access Tor on Your Smartphone |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/use-orbot-access-tor-smartphone/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=MUO |language=en}}

Orbot

Reception

References

Further reading