The new browser called Hornet, which stands for high-speed onion routing at the network layer, is a similar anonymous browser aimed to hide activity.
Internet security researchers claim they`ve invented a web browser that`s faster and more private than Tor, a browser used to communicate anonymously on the web.
But Hornet is bringing beefed up privacy and faster browsing, according to a research paper written by the founding cybersecurity experts from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and George Danezis of University College London. The findings were first reported by Ars Technica.
Both browsers can be used to access secretive and often troubling parts of the web. Tor is most famous for providing access to Silk Road, an online marketplace for illegal drugs and services. In May, Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison for his role running the illicit online store. He is currently appealing that decision.
While Tor hides the user`s IP address, which can be used to find his or her location, cracks have started to form in its security. Recently, Chinese hackers have proved they can hack into Tor and identify users.
However, Hornet claims to be much harder to crack than Tor. Both are called onion browsers for their layers of security. Instead of a direct link to places you`ve visited on the web, the browsers leave traces of your activity across the Internet, making it more difficult to track. In order for an outsider to gain access to someone using either browser, they`d have to control one of the layers of security.
For Hornet, the outsider would have to gain significant access, and control a big portion of an Internet service provider`s network. While Tor`s security features come at the cost of speed, Hornet is supposed to work at speeds indistinguishable from mainstream browsers.
Hornet and Tor are also tools for avoiding what could be oppressive surveillance. Edward Snowden, who leaked National Security Agency documents that revealed widespread government spying, said the agency had trouble cracking Tor.
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