You cannot access the Internet from Tails until you are connected to Tor. For example, *Tor Browser* displays the error message `The proxy server is refusing connections` until you are connected to Tor.
<p>Because Tor routes your Internet traffic through 3 relays before reaching its destination, the connection is slower than when you are not using Tor.</p>
Using a public Tor relay as your first Tor relay makes it clear to your local network that you are connecting to Tor, while still keeping your online activity secure and anonymous.
Use a bridge as your first Tor relay if connecting to Tor is blocked or if using Tor could look suspicious to someone who monitors your Internet connection.
The technology used by Tor bridges is designed to circumvent censorship where connections to Tor are blocked, for example in some countries with heavy censorship, by some public networks, or by some parental controls.
It does so by camouflaging your connection so it cannot be recognized as a connection to Tor. As a consequence, the same technology can be used to hide that you are using Tor if it could look suspicious to someone who monitors your Internet connection.