The Dark Web is a mysterious and often misunderstood part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. While it can be a hub for illegal activities, it also has legitimate uses such as providing a platform for whistleblowers and activists. If you are curious about accessing the Dark Web, here is a guide on how to do so safely.
Installing The Tor Browser Entirely Via The Terminal
Step 1: Get the Necessary Tools
Tor is a web browser used to stay anonymous online or access dark web. Tor shares similarities with VPNs and proxy servers in that all these tools enable some level of anonymous browsing. Tor can be used together with a VPN to provide powerful, overlapping levels of privacy and anonymity. The Hidden Wiki is a surface website offering a collection of dark web links — but the links don’t always work, and they may not be safe. Use it to get an idea of what sort of dark websites you may be interested in visiting. But before visiting any sites on the dark web, get comprehensive cybersecurity software to protect yourself from any threats you may encounter.
Tor Browser: The most common way to access the Dark Web is through the Tor browser. This browser protects your anonymity by routing your internet traffic through a series of servers.
Step 2: Connect to the Tor Network
What is the difference between the dark web and the deep web?
Access: Despite not being indexed by search engines, the Deep Web is accessible via traditional web browsers — i.e. you can access a Gmail page using Firefox, Chrome, etc. The Dark Web, on the other hand, is only accessible via special browsers that use Tor to protect anonymity.
After downloading the Tor browser, you need to connect to the Tor network to access the Dark Web. Simply open the browser and wait for it to connect to the network.
Always Use A Reliable VPN Like NordVPN
Step 3: Find Dark Web URLs
Do I still need a VPN if I use Tor?
Generally speaking, we don't recommend using a VPN with Tor unless you're an advanced user who knows how to configure both in a way that doesn't compromise your privacy. You can find more detailed information about Tor + VPN at our wiki.
Unlike the surface web, the Dark Web does not have search engines like Google. You will need to know the specific URLs of websites you want to visit. These URLs typically end in .onion.
Is The Dark Web Safe? Is It Legal?
Also, sites don’t have straightforward, easily memorized web addresses. Even if you’re trying to get to the dark web version of Facebook (and yes, there is one), “facebook.onion” isn’t going to get you there. As stated, onion.ly links are but one method utilized in accessing the dark web, where clicking the link will automatically redirect you to a dark web site. Accessing the link alone can become a legal problem depending on the country you reside. Furthermore, accessing websites hosted by ransomware group hackers can make users a target, as domain providers can easily access IP addresses. The Dark Web hosts a variety of content, ranging from illegal activities like drug trading and cybercrime, to legitimate, privacy-focused services like encrypted email providers.
Can My ISP See That I’m Accessing The Dark Web?
Step 4: Stay Safe
While browsing the Dark Web, it is important to take precautions to protect your identity and data. Here are some tips:
Can you just download Tor?
The safest and simplest way to download Tor Browser is from the official Tor Project website at https://www.torproject.org/download. Your connection to the site will be secured using HTTPS, which makes it much harder for somebody to tamper with.
- Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can add an extra layer of security by hiding your IP address.
- Avoid downloading files: Malware is common on the Dark Web, so avoid downloading any files unless you trust the source.
- Don’t share personal information: Be cautious about sharing any personal information while on the Dark Web.
Some dark web commerce sites have dangerous chemicals and weapons for sale. The quickest way to access the dark web is to download and install Tor Browser, which will route your traffic through the Tor network and let you access the dark web. On Tor, you can type in any URL you’d like to visit, including .onion domains on the dark web. The websites you visit every day represent just a small fraction of the whole internet. Beyond this “surface web” is the deep web, and within the deep web is the dark web. Then get a data-monitoring tool like Avast BreachGuard to keep your personal information safe.
- This is not what you want when also using the Tor network, as the two in conjunction will be painfully slow.
- Most such facilities really help people to communicate and plan their actions with no risk to be caught by law enforcement.
- To keep your online activities private, the Dark Web uses advanced encryption, different from what you use every day.
- That said, while it’s not illegal to browse the dark web, it’s also not completely void of criminal activity.
- It’s also very difficult to remember the URLs of sites on the dark web, which is another way to maintain their anonymity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to access the Dark Web?
Accessing the Dark Web itself is not illegal, but engaging in illegal activities while on the Dark Web is against the law.
Can I access the Dark Web on my phone?
While it is possible to access the Dark Web on your phone using apps like Orbot, it is generally safer to use a desktop or laptop computer.
By following these steps and staying cautious while browsing, you can explore the Dark Web safely and securely. Remember to always prioritize your privacy and security when venturing into this hidden part of the internet.
Is DuckDuckGo a Tor?
DuckDuckGo is the default search engine in Tor Browser. DuckDuckGo does not track its users nor does it store any data about user searches. Learn more about DuckDuckGo privacy policy.
