The darkweb, often shrouded in mystery and misconceptions, is a hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. While it is true that the darkweb has earned a reputation for being a hub for illegal activities, it also serves as a platform for privacy-conscious individuals and activists. If you are curious about exploring this enigmatic side of the internet, here is a guide on how to access the darkweb safely.
To access a dark web address, you must use a VPN and a suitable browser (it should be Tor). The aim is to reduce your online footprint as much as possible, anonymize your traffic, and disguise your location. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
What is the Darkweb?
Alternative Anonymous Networks
Make sure that you install security software to make sure your computer and personal information are ketp safe. Despite what the name implies, it isn’t illegal to access the dark web. It actually provides individuals with privacy and anonymity that traditional websites don’t offer to individuals. For instance, people can go on the dark web and post their thoughts about political activity without any fear of being reprimanded by government officials and other groups. Traditional search engines return results because they contain indexes of links to websites.
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).
The darkweb is a portion of the internet that cannot be accessed through regular browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Instead, users must use specialized software such as Tor (The Onion Router) to navigate the darkweb anonymously. This anonymity is achieved through routing internet traffic through a series of encrypted nodes, making it difficult to trace users’ online activities.
Download And Install The Tor Browser
Before you even turn on the device, search engines have crawled through the web, looking for information, evaluating the sources, and listing your options. Why else would the police in Brazil, Germany, and the United States need to raid dark web e-shops like the Wall Street Market and the Silk Road? Charging the operators with a long grocery list of crimes ranging stolen data, drugs, and malware.
How to Access the Darkweb
- Download and install a Tor browser: The most common way to access the darkweb is by using the Tor browser, which can be downloaded for free from the official Tor Project website.
- Launch the Tor browser: Once you have installed the Tor browser, launch it like any other application. The browser will automatically connect to the Tor network and provide you with an anonymous browsing experience.
- Explore onion websites: Websites on the darkweb often have “.onion” domain names instead of the usual “.com” or “.net”. You can find directories of popular darkweb sites to start your exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Access The Dark Web With Tor
Is it legal to access the darkweb?
Apart from these activities, there are several other activities that take place on the Dark Web. Most people know about the dark web within the context of stolen identity and personal information. Since the dark web is anonymous and unregulated, it has become a marketplace for selling stolen passwords, IDs, and other forms of private information. For all the illegal activity and secrecy that takes place on Tor, you may be surprised to learn its origin story.
Be Careful How You Share Your Data On The Dark Web
Accessing the darkweb itself is not illegal, but engaging in illegal activities while on the darkweb is against the law. Make sure to use the darkweb responsibly and ethically.
Downloading from unlicensed third-party sites can lead to viruses and malware. Therefore, they are definitely not worth the risk–so don’t try to download Tor anywhere else. Cybercriminals often hack into private systems illegally using methods like phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks to obtain sensitive information that’s then sold on the dark web. From the darknet, we move to the dark web, which is a subset of the dark net. Originally, the internet used telephone network for communication. My first internet connection was a “dial-up” connection which used the telephone network at my house to connect to my ISP.
- If you want to know how to get on the dark web, I should explain this method as well.
- This means that even outside of Tor, a VPN will keep you safe and secure, preventing your ISP, hackers, or snoopers from spying on your activities.
- A VPN hides your internet activity, making it harder for your connection requests to be traced back to you.
- This accounts for well over 80 percent of the company’s revenue, linking people who are searching with the millions of sites out there that pay Google to list their content.
- The dark web is a complex place where a lot can go wrong when you don’t do proper research on how to access the dark web safely.
Can I browse the darkweb without using Tor?
While it is technically possible to access the darkweb using other methods, Tor is the most secure and reliable way to explore the darkweb while maintaining anonymity.
But, like I2P, Freenet won’t give you access to.onion links — only content uploaded to Freenet. When people go on about the so-called dark web, they’re usually talking about onion sites, which aren’t searchable via Google or accessible via standard browsers. On the regular web, domains such as are translated into their actual IP addresses via the domain name system (DNS).
Can the FBI track Tor?
The FBI recently made headlines (again) for using secret network investigation techniques to track down a suspect who was using TOR to anonymously access an ISIS website. While an applaudable cause and effort, this may raise concerns for a number of other groups and individuals.
By following these steps and exercising caution while navigating the darkweb, you can explore this hidden corner of the internet while protecting your online privacy and security.
Can Google search the dark web?
To find out what info is on the dark web, Google uses a third-party vendor. This vendor has access to databases that show what content is currently available on the dark web.
