Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

Which port numbers does the Tor browser use on Windows systems?

1. 80/443

2. 20/21

3. 161/162

4. 9150/9151

The correct answer is: 9150/9151

The Tor browser is specifically designed for anonymity and privacy on the internet, utilizing the Tor network to route communications in a secure manner. For Windows systems, the Tor browser primarily operates through the use of specific port numbers: 9150 and 9151. Port 9150 is used by the Tor client to connect to the Tor network. This is the port through which the Tor browser sends traffic to the Tor network, enabling users to maintain their privacy online. Meanwhile, port 9151 is typically used for the Tor Control Protocol, which allows other applications and services to communicate with the Tor client. In the context of understanding the functioning of the Tor browser, it's vital to recognize that these ports are specifically chosen for the operations of the Tor service. Unlike common web traffic which is typically routed through ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS), or the ports utilized for file transfer protocols (20/21 for FTP), the specific ports used by Tor highlight its unique structure and purpose in digital privacy and security.