#Tor OPSEC Checklist
#Common Deanonymization Mistakes
- Browser fingerprinting -- Resize Tor Browser window (breaks standard viewport)
- Logging into personal accounts over Tor (links identity to circuit)
- Downloading and opening files outside Tor Browser (may phone home)
- Running Tor alongside clearnet on same machine without isolation
- Timezone/locale leaks -- System timezone differs from Tor exit
- DNS leaks -- Not routing DNS through Tor (use proxy_dns in proxychains)
- WebRTC leaks -- Exposes real IP even through proxy
- JavaScript execution -- Can fingerprint, leak IP, run exploits
- Using personal writing style -- Stylometry can identify authors
- Same username/email across services (obvious)
- Uploading photos with EXIF data intact
- Not checking for Tor circuit before assuming anonymity
#Pre-Session Checklist
- [ ] Tor service running:
systemctl status tor
- [ ] Check Tor IP:
proxychains4 curl -s ifconfig.me
- [ ] Verify DNS resolution through Tor:
proxychains4 dig +short example.com
- [ ] Check for DNS leaks: visit dnsleaktest.com through Tor Browser
- [ ] WebRTC disabled in browser
- [ ] JavaScript disabled (or NoScript active)
- [ ] No personal accounts logged in
- [ ] Timezone set to UTC if using CLI tools
- [ ] MAC address randomized if on WiFi
#Network Isolation (Advanced)
For maximum isolation, use separate network namespaces:
# Create isolated namespace
ip netns add torns
# Route all traffic through Tor in that namespace
# Use transparent proxy or iptables rules
Or use Whonix/Tails for full OS-level isolation.