The Tor network is the go-to option for anyone seeking anonymous and secure browsing. But Tor's number one problem is speed, and even with more efficient use, it is not necessarily a priority. The project known as HORNET aims to offer the best of both worlds, with anonymous nodes that could theoretically move data at a maximum speed of 93 gigabits per second.
Why Is Tor So Slow?
One of the most common questions among new Tor users is why it performs so poorly. There are two main reasons: connections in Tor are longer, which helps increase the level of anonymity, and the quality of each relay can vary greatly. In an ideal world, all Tor relays operate at full capacity and never experience technical issues, but reality reminds us that each relay is actually a volunteer, offering their resources (that is, "bandwidth") whenever possible. Add to that the ever-present abuse. Many malicious elements rely on the Tor network to spread and connect to their command servers, not to mention the classic DDoS attacks.
How HORNET Works
On more than one occasion, alternatives to Tor have been discussed, but one point in its favor is the relative ease of access (essentially, you download the bundle and adjust your browsing behavior a little). Any technology that tries to "compete" with Tor will need to deliver far superior results, and according to available information, HORNET (short for High-speed Onion Routing at the Network layer) seems to have them. HORNET's basic operation is similar to Tor, with several relays focused on encrypting and bouncing connections, adding multiple layers until nobody has the slightest idea about the data's origin. The difference in HORNET is that the overhead of each session (routing parameters, encryption keys, etc.) is shifted from intermediate nodes to the nodes at each end of the connection, freeing up resources to transmit data at higher speeds.
The official HORNET paper mentions a non-trivial 93 gigabits per second per node, provided they are paired with high-speed links. But HORNET is still very green, and needs to be thoroughly analyzed by other encryption and security experts before it can be considered a viable alternative. Even if HORNET does not live up to expectations in its current version, something more robust is likely to emerge from its roots.
