According to TechSpot, Tor developers are replacing the network’s oldest encryption algorithm called “tor1” that’s been powering the dark web’s privacy protections for decades. The new algorithm, Counter Galois Onion (CGO), specifically addresses tagging attacks where adversaries can manipulate traffic at single points in the network to trace encrypted communications. Tor1 also has other weaknesses including reusing the same AES keys across entire circuits and using a 4-byte authenticator that only provides a one-in-four-billion chance of detecting forged relay cells. The CGO implementation is already working in Arti, the Rust-based Tor client, with a C version built for the broader relay infrastructure. Developers haven’t provided a specific timeline for when CGO will appear in Tor Browser but are currently optimizing it for modern CPUs, acknowledging it will likely have some performance cost compared to tor1.
Why this matters
Here’s the thing about Tor’s security upgrade – it’s not just theoretical. Tagging attacks are exactly the kind of sophisticated surveillance technique that state-level actors would use to de-anonymize journalists, activists, or whistleblowers. The fact that tor1’s design made these attacks possible at all is pretty concerning when you think about who actually relies on Tor for genuine privacy protection.
And let’s be real – most people only hear about Tor in connection with dark web marketplaces, but the reality is it’s one of the few tools that actually provides meaningful anonymity online. When your encryption has known weaknesses that sophisticated adversaries can exploit, that’s a problem for everyone using the network, not just the shady characters.
The performance tradeoff
Now, the developers are upfront about CGO likely being slower than tor1. But honestly, when we’re talking about privacy this fundamental, who cares about a few milliseconds? I’d rather have slightly slower but actually secure encryption than fast but vulnerable protection. It’s like choosing between a sports car with no brakes and a sedan that actually stops when you need it to.
The team says there’s still optimization work to be done, which makes sense. Modern CPUs have all sorts of cryptographic acceleration features that they’re probably still tuning for. Basically, they’re rebuilding the engine while the car is still moving, which is no small feat.
Broader implications
What’s interesting here is that this isn’t just a simple algorithm swap. The fact that they’ve already implemented CGO in their next-generation Rust client (Arti) while also building a C version for the existing infrastructure shows they’re thinking long-term. They’re not just patching holes – they’re building a more secure foundation for the next decade of privacy technology.
And think about the timing. With surveillance capabilities growing exponentially and privacy becoming increasingly scarce online, strengthening tools like Tor feels more urgent than ever. When even basic web browsing involves being tracked by dozens of companies, having a truly anonymous option matters. The team’s detailed technical post at their development blog shows they’re taking this seriously – no vague promises, just concrete technical work.
So while we don’t know exactly when this will hit the main Tor Browser, the fact that the core encryption is getting this level of attention is reassuring. In a world where privacy is constantly under attack, every layer of protection matters.
