TOR and More

TOR – The Onion Router
TOR – The Onion Router is a free and open-source network that directs Internet traffic through a series of nodes and relays in order to shield users from surveillance and network traffic analysis. TOR's intended use is to protect the personal privacy of its users, as well as their freedom and ability to communicate confidentially through IP address anonymity using TOR exit nodes. TOR is also used to access the “dark web”, websites established one the .onion domain (as opposed to the more common .com, .org, .net domains).
The TOR Browser (https://www.torproject.org/) can be downloaded for free form the TOR Project and used to access both the open web and the dark web. Using the TOR Browser also allows users to, in many cases, circumvent Internet censorship by accessing news and information that may be blocked or otherwise restricted by their government or by their Internet service provider.


TAILS
Tails (https://tails.boum.org/) is a portable operating system that protects against surveillance and censorship. You can start Tails on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card. Tails' focus is preserving your privacy and anonymity, and helps you to:
•    use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorship;
•    all connections to the Internet are forced to go through the TOR network;
•    leave no trace on the computer you are using unless you ask it explicitly;
•    use state-of-the-art cryptographic tools to encrypt your files, emails and instant messaging.


Onion Share
Onion Share (https://onionshare.org/) is an open-source tool that lets you securely and anonymously share files, host websites, and chat with friends using the TOR network. With Onion Share you can also set up a dropbox for anyone to send you files anonymously. Anyone with your Onion Share dropbox address can upload files to your computer using the TOR Browser.


A.A.M. Direct II   
A.A.M. Direct is a newsgroup reader and posting program with which two or more people can communicate through the alt.anonymous.messages newsgroup. Messages are sent to the news group directly or through the TOR network. You can download the free A.A.M Direst software here: (https://sourceforge.net/projects/aamdirect/)
Whenever you communicate with someone electronically (e-mail, text message, messenger, or post to their social media) you establish an identifiable connection between yourself and that person. A.A.M. Direct is a tool that lets you communicate without establishing that identifiable connection.
A.A.M. Direct lets you create an encrypted message that is then uploaded anonymously to the alt.anonymous.messages newsgroup. At some time in the future, the recipient uses A.A.M. Direct to connect to the newsgroup and any messages intended for that person are downloaded to their computer. Once downloaded the message is automatically decrypted so that it can be read by the intended recipient. There is no direct connection between the sender and recipient to the message, and if both sender and recipient use TOR there is no identifiable connection between either user and the newsgroup.
 

Bitmessage
Bitmessage (https://wiki.bitmessage.org/) is a P2P communications protocol used to send encrypted messages to another person or to many subscribers. It is decentralized and trustless, meaning that you need-not inherently trust any entities like root certificate authorities. It uses strong authentication which means that the sender of a message cannot be spoofed, and it aims to hide "non-content" data, like the sender and receiver of messages, from passive eavesdroppers like those running warrantless wiretapping programs.

Ricochet Refresh
Ricochet Refresh (https://www.ricochetrefresh.net/) is an open-source project to allow private and anonymous instant messaging. The original version of Ricochet was launched in 2014 as a different approach to instant messaging that doesn’t trust anyone in protecting your privacy. Ricochet Refresh uses the original Ricochet open-source software but has improved on it substantially, such as upgrading its security and making it compatible with TOR Onion Services v3 instead of the older v2. Ricochet Refresh is a peer-to-peer messenger app that uses TOR to connect clients. When you start Ricochet Refresh it creates a TOR hidden service on your computer. The address of this hidden service is your anonymous identity on the TOR network and how others will be able to communicate with you. We believe software like Ricochet is important to protect freedom of expression for whistleblowers, activists, and journalists worldwide.

Tox
Whether it's corporations or governments, digital surveillance today is widespread. Tox (https://tox.chat/) is easy-to-use software that connects you with friends and family without anyone else listening in. While other big-name services require you to pay for features, Tox is completely free and comes without advertising — forever.

Session Messenger
Session (https://getsession.org/) is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that minimises sensitive metadata, designed and built for people who want absolute privacy and freedom from any form of surveillance. With end-to-end encryption, no phone numbers for sign-up, and decentralisation, Session uses a powerful decentralised network of servers to route your messages, making it impossible for anyone to leak or sell your data. And with Session’s private routing protocols, your messages are completely anonymous. No one ever knows who you’re talking to, what you’re saying, or even your IP address.