(noob question) Is it fine to use Tor on an unsafe network? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by lemmingsareawesome@sh.itjust.works to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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was using tails at a cafe that blocks all videos (for some reason) i used a bridge (the easy default one) went to invidious but no videos worked because of the network. everything else on the site worked. does it know the contents of the page despite tor? (im not using a work or school given device i am using framework)

(i also have an unsafe home network and have to use a google wireless access point. also have someone who has a virus. (we dont share the same device just same network) i cant remove it because i get scolded for messing with her stuff and spying on her (??? yes the virus is spyware the irony lol)) (everything i do has to be on device because my family doesn't want me messing with the wifi)

(also any qubes specific advice would help since i wont be using tails as my daily driver anymore since i learned its not for that. also not a fan of the gimmicks but thats just me.)

thanks for reading any commcnt helps more people see this )

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[-] akunohana@piefed.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 days ago

All the cafe can see is your connection to a Tor node. Continuing on this, if you want your connection to a Tor node to be anonymous, use a bridge. They are specifically meant to make it more difficult for anyone watching your internet traffic to determine that you are using Tor.

If you want to be completely sure that your connection type/target cannot be identified, you need to hide your connection on the physical layer. A VPN could do this. They create a virtual interface through which your traffic goes before leaving your device. However, using Tor on a VPN connection is a topic of debate, so read up on it, perhaps here(YouTube link!) and here(official Tor wiki), and make up your own mind.

You could also MacGyver a portable Tor router which you physically connect to, either through an Ethernet port or WiFi on your computer and then connect that Tor router to the café's WiFi.

Also, and after this I'll shut up, since you mentioned Qubes: you could also setup a qube to be a virtual Tor router, through which you route your traffic/browsing/surfing from your "working" qube. This, however, requires enabling at least ipv4 forwarding in the kernel and configuring your firewall to enable network address translation.

this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2026

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