How to detect TOR network connections with Falco

The article explores how to use Falco, a runtime security tool, to detect connections through the TOR network, which is designed to anonymize internet traffic but can also be exploited by attackers. It highlights TOR's role in protecting user privacy and its operation via a global network of relays. Since TOR nodes are dynamic, static lists are ineffective for detection, but Falco can utilize metrics from TOR's API to identify nodes. A Python script is used to periodically update Falco's rule sets to monitor TOR connections, distinguishing between inbound and outbound connections to assess potential security threats. The article provides a detailed guide on setting up Falco to detect TOR connections, including the installation of necessary software and testing procedures with Docker containers. It emphasizes that while TOR is not inherently malicious, monitoring its connections can be crucial for security, helping to identify unauthorized data exfiltration or attacks.