Exploring the Dark Web: How to Access it Safely

That said, while it’s not illegal to browse the dark web, it’s also not completely void of criminal activity. Putting yourself in close proximity with illegal activities is rarely a good idea and could heighten your risk of being targeted by a criminal yourself. There are darknet websites for news sources like the BBC or New York Times, email services like ProtonMail, and torrent sites like The Pirate Bay.

The Dark Web is a mysterious and often misunderstood part of the internet. It is known for being a haven for illegal activities, but it also has legitimate uses such as anonymous communication and privacy protection. If you are curious about exploring the Dark Web, it is important to do so safely and responsibly. Here are some steps on how to get on the Dark Web:

1. Install a VPN

Is There A Dark Web Search Engine?

Before accessing the Dark Web, it is highly recommended to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN will encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.

Does My ISP Know About My Visit To The Dark Web?

2. Download a Tor Browser

• Whether you are accessing your email account, private backups, or your credit card statements, that data is stored on the deep web.
• This could include government services to access your records, health care services, members-only areas, intranets, or corporate resources.
• The dark web was originally created as an anonymity tool and is still used this way by many.
• Once you connect to a VPN server on your phone, it’s easy to open Tor, visit the site you want, and enjoy browsing it safely and securely with the added encryption of a VPN.
• Everyone who has access to the internet uses the Surface web, or as some like to call it – the Clearnet.
• The area of the internet we access daily is known as the clear or surface web.

Found Out What’s Already Online

The most common way to access the Dark Web is through the Tor network. The Tor Browser is a modified version of Firefox that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. Simply download the Tor Browser from the official website and install it on your device.

3. Connect to the Tor Network

Tor And The Onion Browser

Once you have installed the Tor Browser, open it and connect to the Tor network. This will route your internet traffic through a series of encrypted nodes, making it nearly impossible for anyone to trace your online activities back to you.

But the dark web is best known for the illegal activity that takes place there. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 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.

4. Search for Dark Web URLs

Unlike the surface web, the Dark Web does not have search engines like Google. Instead, you will need to know the exact URLs of websites you want to visit. These URLs typically end in .onion, indicating that they are hosted on the Tor network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal 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. Be sure to use the Dark Web responsibly and avoid any illicit activities.

Can I trust websites on the Dark Web?

Just like on the surface web, there are both legitimate and malicious websites on the Dark Web. Exercise caution when browsing and never provide personal information or engage in suspicious activities.

Dark Web or Dark Net is a subset of the Deep Web, where there are sites that sell drugs, hacking software, counterfeit money and more. We explain this further down the article if you are not up to speed. If you are looking to access hidden marketplace’s or darknet websites (with a .onion domain) then dark web access is done using the TOR network with the TOR browser bundle. Disable JavaScript if it is enabled in your Tor browser by default. JavaScript can be used to get data on the technical details of your computer and the features of your browser. Disabling JavaScript will greatly limit the possibilities of other parties tracking you.

By following these steps and using caution, you can safely explore the Dark Web and experience a different side of the internet. Remember to always prioritize your online security and privacy when venturing into the depths of the Dark Web.