Vidalia 0.2.4.23

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Vidalia for Windows is a powerful cross-platform GUI (graphical user interface) controller for the Tor network. It gives you the ability to start/stop Tor connections and monitor various connection statistics. The Tor network lets you transfer information to and from other computers and Web servers safely, securely, and anonymously, without revealing your IP address or geographical location.

Installation

Installing Vidalia is as simple as clicking your mouse a few times, choosing the program file directory, and following the on-screen instructions. You can download Vidalia individually, or you can download it as a part of the Tor network software bundle. Either way, the setup is about as straightforward as it can get, so getting started with Vidalia is as easy as connecting to the Tor network using its intuitive interface.

Interface

The Vidalia interface is anything but cluttered, with only a few button icons and options to choose from. However, this basic functionality is what makes it so appealing to novice-to-intermediate users, who would rather have access to quality basic features than a selection of advanced settings that only serve to cause confusion. At the top of the main window you'll see your Tor network connection status, and below that you can access several Vidalia shortcuts, including Stop Tor, Setup Relaying, View the Network, and Use a New Identity.

Pros

• Provides a simplistic interface in which you can configure, relay, or bridge your Tor client
• Lets you quickly view how many connection circuits you have active, as well as the geographical location of the circuits that are connected
• Insightful bandwidth graph displays how much bandwidth you're using on the Tor network
• Offers regular newsletter messages from the Tor network about its current status and progress
• Available in a variety of languages
• Integrated help system is easily accessible within the user interface, so you can become acquainted with all of the features with a minimal learning curve
• Takes the hassle out of learning how to use the Tor network by streamlining and automating processes that would be much more confusing if done manually

Cons

• Main window is set to appear automatically upon startup. However, this option can be changed by unchecking the checkbox in the bottom left corner of the user interface.

Alternatives

Since Vidalia is merely a graphical interface for Tor, here are alternative software that offers anonymous browsing features similar to Tor: VyprVPN, UltraVPN, Hotspot Shield, OpenVPN, UltraSurf, TunnelBear, and ProXPN.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a user-friendly, compact interface that will let you connect with the Tor network without any hassles, Vidalia for Windows provides an ideal option for computer users of all skill levels. Even if you have never connected to the Tor network before, the hasslefree functionality and adequate help documentation included with the software will do an excellent job of walking you through the process of establishing your first connection on the Tor network.