Check out the Tor website for a more detailed explanation of how Tor works. Tor relays are also referred to as "routers" or "nodes." They receive traffic on the Tor network and pass it along. Working together, we can improve the network for everyone and protect the anonymity of Tor users all over the world. That's why EFF's Tor Challenge encourages people to run Tor relays. The more Tor relays we have running, the faster, more robust, and more secure the Tor network will be. The Tor software depends on the Tor network, which is made up of Tor relays operated by individuals and organizations all over the world. There are many reasons you might use Tor, including keeping websites from tracking you and your family members, using websites or services which are blocked in your country (for example, getting around the Great Firewall of China), and maintaining anonymity when communicating about socially sensitive information, such as health issues or whistleblowing. When you use the Tor software, your IP address remains hidden and it appears that your connection is coming from the IP address of a Tor exit relay, which can be anywhere in the world. Tor is comprised of two parts: software you can download that allows you to use the Internet anonymously, and the volunteer network of computers that makes it possible for that software to work. Tor is a service that helps you to protect your anonymity while using the Internet. We use Tor to access our website and to publish to our blog, which is blocked inside of our country.