Tor switches to new Counter Galois Onion relay encryption algorithm

Tor switches to new Counter Galois Onion relay encryption algorithm Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/secu… Tor has introduced a significant upgrade to its circuit-level encryption, replacing the aging tor1 relay algorithm with a modern design known as Counter Galois Onion (CGO). The change strengthens the network’s resilience against contemporary traffic-interception techniques that could erode data security and compromise user anonymity. The Tor network comprises thousands of relays that route traffic through a three-hop path—entry, middle, and exit—with each hop adding a layer of encryption. This layered design, known as onion routing, remains the foundation of Tor’s anonymity model. According to the Tor team, tor1 originated in a period when cryptographic standards were far less advanced. With modern cryptography having evolved substantially, CGO delivers a more robust, future-ready approach to safeguarding relay traffic.