When we think of the Internet, we often imagine a vast network of websites that are easily accessible through search engines like Google. However, there is a hidden part of the internet known as the dark web website. This mysterious and secretive corner of the web is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires special software to access.
What is the Dark Web?
What Is The Dark Web Used For And What Types Of Threats Exist Within It?
For built-in Tor over VPN functionality, NordVPN operates specialized servers that automatically route you through the Tor network. You don’t even need to use Tor Browser, but keep in mind other browsers can still pass identifying information through the network. Alternatively, there’s IPVanish who claim to be the world’s number one VPN for Tor and comes highly recommended, you can save 60% on the annual plan here. Always exercise extreme caution when using publicly posted onion URLs. If you can’t get a personal recommendation from someone you trust, verify the URL from multiple different sources.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not visible to the average user. It is often associated with illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and other illicit transactions. The dark web operates on networks like Tor, which allow users to browse anonymously and securely.
What to avoid on Tor?
- Avoid sharing your personal data. Once you enter your Facebook, Google, or any other account, you are not anonymous anymore.
- Turn on the safest mode.
- Visit only HTTPS websites.
- Don't click on suspicious links.
- Update your antivirus software.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN).
Serving is the final step of the process for search engines like Google. This is when it takes a search query from the user, finds the most relevant results in the index, and then serves the resulting web pages back to the user. Websites that exist purely on the deep web have different access, so there’s a level of privacy for the website hosts that isn’t possible on the regular internet. If your website is only accessible through the deep net, tracking down the physical location of your servers is much harder than it would be for a regular website.
Non-indexed Content
How to Access the Dark Web
It was alleged he offered a total of $700,000 for hitmen services to take out people who were trying to blackmail him, but he was never charged for these allegations for lack of sufficient evidence. By this time, it had caught the attention of law enforcement and politicians. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, called for an investigation by federal authorities including the DEA and Department of Justice to shut the site down. Following his graduation, he was unsatisfied with a regular day job and his legitimate attempts at entrepreneurship continually fell through. That’s when Ulbricht conceived the Silk Road, a marketplace where people could buy and sell whatever they wanted. Naval Research Laboratory by scientists Paul Syverson, David Goldschlag, and Michael Reed.
Dark Web Search Engine
To access the dark web, users must use special software such as Tor (The Onion Router) or I2P (Invisible Internet Project). These programs encrypt your internet traffic and route it through a series of servers to keep your identity hidden. Once connected, users can browse dark web websites using .onion domains.
What Can You Find on Dark Web Websites?
Dark web websites cover a wide range of topics and services, both legal and illegal. Some common things you may find on the dark web include:
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons
- Stolen data
- Hacking services
- Fake IDs and passports
The dark web is a subset of the deep web, which is all content on the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines. Infiltrations can put you at risk of monitoring for other types of activity as well. Evading government restrictions to explore new political ideologies can be an imprisonable offense in some countries. China uses what is known as the “Great Firewall” limit access to popular sites for this exact reason. The risk of being a visitor to this content could lead to being placed on a watchlist or immediate targeting for a jail sentence. Tor (“The Onion Routing” project) network browser provides users access to visit websites with the “.
When navigating the dark web and visiting different sites, avoid downloading any files, as they likely contain malware and highly increase the chances of devices getting infected. Internet users may be inclined to access the dark web to start browsing anonymously or to satisfy their curiosity. Gaining access is not challenging; however, it can be difficult to actively engage in dark web activities without the appropriate networks and technical knowledge.
Are Dark Web Websites Safe?
The Tor Browser is one of the most secure and private ways to access the internet, including the dark web, with or without a VPN. However, connecting to a VPN first, then Tor, gets you all the privacy protection of the Tor network, plus added protection that prevents any Tor node from seeing your home IP address. You will also not have to worry about being flagged by your home network for using Tor, as all that network will see is encrypted traffic to your VPN server.
While the dark web is often associated with criminal activity, not all websites on the dark web are dangerous. There are legitimate uses for the dark web, such as whistleblowing and protecting sensitive information. However, users should exercise caution when browsing the dark web and avoid engaging in illegal activities.
- A steel stomach may not always save a dark web user from the wrath of scammers.
- Internet users may be inclined to access the dark web to start browsing anonymously or to satisfy their curiosity.
- On average, I had really good browsing speeds — .onion sites loaded in 2–3 seconds, HD videos loaded in 5 seconds, and there was only minor buffering at the start of the videos.
- While 2024 has many exciting things in store for enterprises, it is also rife with potent cybersecurity threats.
Final Thoughts
The dark web website is a complex and mysterious part of the internet that offers a glimpse into the darker side of cyberspace. While there are risks involved in accessing the dark web, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of online privacy and security.
Can anyone see you on Tor?
Can anyone see you on Tor? No one can see your browsing activity or the encrypted data when you're using Tor unless the exit node is set up by malicious actors for tracking Tor users' activity. However, your internet service provider can detect the fact that you're using Tor.