The Tor network is perhaps the best way to anonymously surf the web but it's not exactly easy for the average user to set up and use. Those wanting a bit of privacy but lack the technical know-how have had few choices up to this point but as the narrative around privacy continues, we're seeing more hardware-based plug-and-play devices spring up.
One such example is the Anonabox, a Tor-enabled, open source networking device designed to run alongside your existing home router / modem. The hardware, which connects to your network via Ethernet cable, provides anonymous Internet access and encryption by routing all of your Internet traffic through the Tor network.
Earlier models of the Anonabox were admittedly clunky and expensive but that's not the case with the latest prototype. This fourth generation device features a CPU clocked at 580MHz alongside 64MB of memory. Its creators claim pageload times are much faster compared to running the Tor browser software because all of the hard work is being done in the background by the Anonabox.
The Anonabox is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter and is off to a stellar start. With 29 days to go, more than 1,300 backers have already pledged over $80,000 - more than 10 times the campaign's original goal. At the current rate, the Anonabox could end up being one of the most successful campaigns in recent memory.
A pledge of $51 is all that's needed to score an Anonabox from the first production batch scheduled for delivery in January 2015.