# Tor: What can Tor protect me from, and what can’t it?

Tor helps separate your network address from the sites you visit and limits some forms of tracking and censorship.

2026-08-22
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Switchboard Tech Services


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## Short answer

Tor helps separate your network address from the sites you visit and limits some forms of tracking and censorship. It cannot protect a compromised device, make an unsafe download harmless, or prevent a site from recognizing an account you log into. Threats differ, so identify what you are trying to hide and from whom before relying on Tor as your only protection.

## Sources

[Tor Project: About Tor Browser](https://support.torproject.org/tor-browser/getting-started/about-tor-browser/), [Tor Project: Tor Browser best practices](https://support.torproject.org/tor-browser/security/using-tb-safely/).

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Canonical URL: https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tor-what-can-tor-protect-me-from-and-what-can-t-it/

Language: en-us

Content type: guide

Author: Switchboard Tech Services

Published: 2026-08-22T10:01:07+00:00

Description: A practical answer to What can Tor protect me from, and what can’t it?