Carburetor for Linux Lets You Browse the Web Invisibly

Ever wish you could move through the internet without leaving any trace? Maybe you’re tired of being followed by ads or simply want to protect your privacy online. While using a VPN or setting up Tor manually can work, it often takes time and technical know-how.
Carburetor solves this problem. It’s a simple, one-click Linux tool that automatically encrypts your traffic and routes it through the Tor network. This helps mask your IP address and keeps your online activity private.
With its clean GNOME interface, Carburetor integrates seamlessly with the Linux desktop. Here’s a look at what it offers and how to get started.
Key Features
Unlike the Tor Browser, which only protects web traffic, Carburetor provides system-wide anonymity by routing all your applications through Tor — from browsers and email clients to file downloads.
- Runs a local Tor daemon and instantly sets up a SOCKS5 proxy with no configuration required.
- Lightweight and efficient, operating quietly in the background.
- Comes with an intuitive interface and a one-click button to connect or disconnect from Tor.
- Provides full system-wide Tor routing, not limited to web browsers.
- Displays clear connection status indicators.
- Lets users view logs and customize proxy ports or bridges.
- Includes Fascist Firewall Mode and bridge support to bypass censorship.
- Automatically manages Tor circuits and connection stability.
- Works with most SOCKS-compatible applications without editing system files.
Installing Carburetor
Carburetor is available on Flathub as a Flatpak, ensuring a smooth installation process and reliable performance on all major Linux distributions.
First, ensure that Flatpak is enabled on your system. Then install Carburetor by running:
flatpak install flathub io.frama.tractor.carburetor
Since Flatpak includes all required dependencies, you don’t need to manually handle packages or worry about version conflicts.
Carburetor can also be found in the AUR (Arch User Repository) and some community repositories, but the Flatpak version is recommended for stability and updates.
Note: Flatpak apps may request permission to access the network or system components. This is normal and necessary for Carburetor to function properly.
Using Carburetor
After installation, launch the app from your system menu or by running:
flatpak run io.frama.tractor.carburetor
A simple window will appear. Click Connect, and Carburetor will start the Tor service and create a secure connection automatically.
By default, it runs a SOCKS5 proxy on 127.0.0.1
using port 9052
. This acts as a private, local gateway to the Tor network.
To confirm it’s working, open a browser and visit any site that shows your IP address. You should see an address different from your own. For extra assurance, check Check Tor Project, which will verify your Tor connection.
Advanced Options
From the Preferences menu, you can access additional settings such as:
- Changing proxy ports
- Viewing logs
- Setting up bridges for regions where Tor is restricted
- Choosing exit nodes or countries (if supported)
Remember that Tor hides your connection details, not your identity. Avoid signing in to personal accounts, use HTTPS websites, and expect slower speeds because Tor encrypts traffic across multiple relays.
Manual Proxy Setup
If you prefer to configure your applications manually, direct them to Carburetor’s local proxy:
Host: 127.0.0.1
Port: 9050
(or 9052
, depending on your setup)
Type: SOCKS v5
For Firefox, go to Preferences → Network Settings → Manual proxy configuration, then enter the above details.
Enable Proxy DNS when using SOCKS v5 to prevent DNS leaks.
Visit the Check Tor Project page to confirm that your browser is correctly routed through Tor. If it is, you’ll see the message:
“Congratulations, this browser is configured to use Tor.”
Conclusion
Carburetor for Linux makes anonymous browsing easy, even for beginners. It’s lightweight, efficient, and provides full system-wide Tor protection with just one click.
If you want to take your privacy even further, consider using other Linux distributions designed for anonymity, such as Tails or Qubes OS, alongside Carburetor for complete online invisibility.