Getting Started

This guide is for someone who just received Open Access Kit removable media. Follow these steps to start browsing safely and privately.

Step 1: Install Tor Browser

Open the software/tor-browser/ folder on this removable media and install the version for your operating system:

Windows / macOS: Run the installer and follow the prompts. Tor Browser does not require administrator access and installs only for your user account.

Linux: Extract the .tar.xz file, open the resulting folder, and run ./start-tor-browser.desktop or the Browser/start-tor-browser script.

Android: You may need to allow installation from unknown sources in your device settings. Go to Settings → Security → Install unknown apps and allow your file manager.

Step 2: Connect to Tor

Launch Tor Browser. On the connection screen, click Connect.

If direct access to Tor is blocked in your country, click Configure Connection and try one of the built-in bridges (Snowflake or obfs4 are good first choices).

Once connected, the Tor Browser address bar will show a purple onion icon.

Step 3: Browse Safely

Tor Browser protects your anonymity at the network level, but a few habits will make you significantly safer:

• Always use Tor Browser for sensitive browsing — do not open .onion links or sensitive sites in your regular browser.
• Do not log in to personal accounts (Google, Facebook, etc.) while using Tor if you need to remain anonymous — login ties your activity to your identity.
• Keep Tor Browser updated. New versions ship on this drive each quarter, or download from torproject.org when you have access.
• Do not install browser extensions. They can undermine Tor's anonymity protections.

Finding onion sites

The Onion Sites directory contains curated .onion addresses for news outlets, privacy tools, and other services — all reachable through Tor Browser.

Step 4: Boot Tails (M and L tiers only)

Tails is a live operating system that runs entirely from this removable media and leaves no trace on the computer you use. Use it when you need stronger guarantees than Tor Browser alone can provide.

To boot Tails:

1. Restart the computer.
2. While the computer is starting up, press the boot menu key. This varies by manufacturer — common keys are F12, F8, Esc, or Del.
3. Select this removable media from the boot menu.
4. Tails will start and walk you through connecting to Tor.

Note: Tails is only available on M and L tier OAK distributions. The software/tails/ folder on smaller distributions will be absent.

Need Help?

• Tor Browser support: tb-manual.torproject.org
• Tails documentation: tails.net/doc
• EFF Surveillance Self-Defense: ssd.eff.org — practical security advice for people of all threat levels.

→ Advanced: Verify software signatures

→ M and L tier users: explore the bundled offline libraries with Kiwix.