Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

What feature distinguishes a guard relay from an exit relay in the Tor network?

1. IP address visibility to the public

2. Usage for data encryption

3. Function as an entry point

4. Direct access to the internet

The correct answer is: Function as an entry point

In the Tor network, a guard relay, also referred to as an entry node, is the first point of contact for a user connecting to the Tor network. Its primary function is to receive traffic from the user's device and forward it into the Tor network. In contrast, an exit relay is the last node in the Tor circuit, where data leaves the encrypted Tor network and is sent to the public internet. The distinguishing feature of the guard relay is its role as the initial entry point into the Tor network. It is essential for the anonymity of the users, as it provides them an additional layer of protection against traffic analysis. By establishing a circuit through a guard relay, users can effectively shield their online activities from being directly traced back to their original location. While the other choices touch on relevant aspects of the Tor network, they do not accurately define this specific distinction between guard and exit relays. The visibility of IP addresses to the public is more relevant to exit relays, as they directly connect to the internet and thus reveal their IP addresses. Usage for data encryption is a characteristic of the entire Tor network rather than a unique feature of a specific type of relay. Direct access to the internet distinguishes exit relays, as they ultimately send traffic out to