OnionShare — screenshot of onionshare.org

OnionShare

OnionShare is an open-source tool for private P2P filesharing via Tor, also enabling anonymous website hosting and chat. It's a solid choice for secure, ephemeral communication.

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Questions & Answers

What is OnionShare?
OnionShare is an open-source tool that allows users to securely and anonymously share files, host websites, and chat over the Tor network. It encrypts and routes traffic through multiple relays, obscuring the user's IP address.
Who is OnionShare designed for?
OnionShare is designed for individuals and organizations prioritizing privacy and anonymity in their online communications and file transfers. It is particularly useful for journalists, activists, and anyone needing to share sensitive information without revealing their identity or location.
How does OnionShare differ from traditional file-sharing services?
Unlike cloud-based file-sharing services or direct P2P tools, OnionShare leverages the Tor network to provide end-to-end encryption and routing through a series of relays, making it extremely difficult to trace the sender or receiver. It creates a temporary, self-hosted onion service for each share, removing the need for a central server.
In what scenarios is OnionShare particularly useful?
OnionShare is ideal for situations requiring high levels of privacy and anonymity, such as sharing confidential documents, setting up a temporary secure drop box, or hosting an unlisted website for a limited time. It's also suitable for secure, ephemeral direct messaging.
What operating systems support OnionShare?
OnionShare is available across multiple platforms, including desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is also preinstalled in privacy-focused operating systems like QubesOS, Tails, and ParrotOS, and has mobile apps for Android and iOS.