Another update was a little tip we added to the dropdown menu (which you can see below) for which bridge to use in countries that have very sophisticated censorship methods. We also worked very hard to ensure that the user interface text would make it easy for the user to understand what a bridge is and how to configure to use one. This is one of the most important steps for a user trying to connect to Tor while their network is censoring Tor. In addition to simplifying the screen and message, to make it easier for the user to know if they need to configure something or not, we’ve also done a “branding update” that brings our logo to the launch. Some users on the paper experiment spent up to 40 minutes confused about what they needed to do here. Our old screen had way too much information for users, causing many of them to spend a lot of time confused about what to do. Law enforcement uses Tor to visit or monitor websites without leaving public IP addresses in their web logs, and for security during sting operations. One branch of the US Navy uses Tor for open source intelligence gathering, and one of their teams used Tor while recently deployed to the Middle East. Which places have employees who work late? Where have employees consulted job search websites? Which research departments communicate with the company’s patent attorneys? They also use it to replace traditional VPNs, which reveal the exact amount and time of communication. Companies use Tor as a secure way to conduct competitive analysis, and to protect sensitive purchasing patterns from eavesdropping. Activist groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) recommend Tor as a mechanism for maintaining civil liberties online. Groups such as Indymedia recommend Tor to safeguard their members’ privacy and security online.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) use Tor to allow their workers to connect to their home site while in a foreign country, without notifying everyone nearby that they work with that organization. Journalists use Tor to communicate more securely with whistleblowers and dissidents.

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