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Private browsing
For people who can't afford to leave a trail: investigators, journalists, advocates, and anyone working on a shared or borrowed PC. It runs Tor Browser, the free private browser from The Tor Project, and every time it closes it erases what the session left behind - cookies, history, caches, temporary files, the clipboard, and Windows' own records that it ran. A Panic key closes and erases everything in an instant.
What it does
Get Tor Browser downloads the newest version straight from torproject.org and checks The Tor Project's digital signature before installing it. A file that fails the check is thrown away.
Safest turns JavaScript off everywhere, Safer turns it off on sites without https, and Standard lets every site work.
Cookies, history, site data, caches, saved form entries and passwords, the session, temp files, remembered folders, and the clipboard - overwritten, then deleted.
Takes the program out of UserAssist, MUICache, the Program Compatibility Assistant list, and Recent items.
The red PANIC button or Ctrl+Alt+X from anywhere closes and erases everything at once. The timer closes and erases after 10 minutes to 2 hours.
Downloads wait in their own tab until you move them somewhere or shred them.
Puts the program, Tor Browser, and your key on a USB stick. That copy writes nothing to the computer's registry or user folders.
The guide spells out what no program can hide - signed-in websites, a watched computer, administrator-only Windows logs - and when to use Tails instead.
Price and download
Pay once, no subscription. Browsing and erase-on-close stay free after the trial.
Download the free trial (16 MB - free 30-day trial) · The guide (PDF)
Lawful use only, on computers you own or have permission to use - see the license agreement. Tor Browser is made by The Tor Project; Heirloom Software LLC is not part of or approved by it.
Runs on Windows 10 and 11 - from the PC or a USB stick.
Questions
It runs the real Tor Browser from The Tor Project, unchanged, and adds the erasing, Panic, timer, downloads, and USB copy around it. Heirloom Software LLC is not part of or approved by The Tor Project.
Yes. Tor and private browsing are legal in the United States. Use it lawfully, on computers you own or are allowed to use.
Everything the browsing session leaves in its own folders, plus the Windows records a normal user can clear. A few Windows records need an administrator, and solid-state drives move data around - the guide explains it, and suggests Tails for zero trace.
No. Tor Browser itself needs Windows 10 or 11.
Browsing and erasing when the browser closes stay free. The instant Panic hide, the timer, erasing Windows' records, and USB Copy need a key ($53 one time).
Needful Things Software is the home PC and personal finance line of Heirloom Software LLC of Williamsburg, Kentucky. Call or text (606) 521-7093 or email info@needfulthingssoftware.com - a real person answers.