Top 5 Recommended VPNs You Should Get Before Accessing The Dark Web
How to Access the Dark Web with Tor
One of the most popular ways to get around the dark web is not to use a search engine at all. Just like in the old days of the internet, the dark web maintains numerous indexes of sites, like The Hidden Wiki. Most of the dark web’s bad rep comes from all the illegal trade that’s happening there. Hackers and criminals take advantage of anonymity to sell all kinds of illicit goods and services.
The network is messaging-based and provides peer-to-peer communication. An easy way to figure out whether a website is on the dark web is to see if it ends in .onion. Normal websites on the surface and deep web usually end in .com, .org, or .co. Websites hosted on the Tor network end in .onion (to indicate the network’s multiple layers of encryption). It contains pages that are intentionally hidden from search engines, all of which require you to use anonymity software, like the Tor Browser, to access them. Using Tor or visiting dark web sites is legal in most countries.
Plus, its speed-optimized protocol (Lightway) minimizes slowdowns while you use Tor. You can try ExpressVPN out risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This option does not clear any private information or unlink your activity, nor does it affect your current connections to other websites. Wired published an article back in 2014 called “Use privacy services?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines, and it requires specific software to access. One of the most popular tools to navigate the dark web is Tor (The Onion Router). This guide will help you understand how to securely access the dark web using Tor.
This ensures that your traffic is encrypted from the beginning to the end of your browsing sessions. Plus, it hides your Tor activity and IP from any third parties that may try to spy on you. The entry node can identify your IP address, while the exit node sees which sites you visit (though neither can see the reverse information). This means your data is always partially exposed in the entry or exit nodes when you use Tor. That’s why it’s recommended to use a VPN alongside Tor to encrypt your traffic end to end. Also keep in mind that users may need to disable certain scripts and plugins, so you may not be able to run everything you want on Tor.
By the way, you can download Tor for free from its official site. However, using Tor alone isn’t enough to make you 100% safe and secure. This, of course, isn’t entirely true, as you can find some educational and useful – above all LEGAL – sites that you can’t find on the surface web. Having that in mind, I’ll explain how to get to the dark web and to it safely, which is pretty important for the reasons explained below. We continuously monitor activities or policy violations providing cloud and network virtualized containment, as well as threat hunting SOC Services, and 24/7 eyes on glass threat management. Scammers use this data for malicious activities like identity theft and account takeover.
From here, I recommend connecting to a VPN server first and then using Tor. This is something called Tor over VPN, where the VPN will mask the fact that you’re using Tor once you connect to a VPN server. The first step is to get a quality VPN and for this case, I recommend ExpressVPN. This provider fully supports Tor over VPN, which means that it can be used to get on the dark web. Beware that this is NOT a free VPN and we intentionally avoid free providers due to security issues. Now that you know that using a VPN is mandatory for safe and secure dark web access, let’s see how to combine it with Tor to achieve the result you want.
Shutting down Tor will also cause dissatisfaction among legitimate users. Moreover, the dark web is a small portion of the deep web that is unavailable on search engines, making it difficult to monitor. On the brighter side, you can use the dark web to generate crime reports or publish articles on sensitive but legal topics to expose a company or government’s wrongdoings. But stay alert and don’t engage in illegal activities for legal consequences. It is also essential to know that dark web information is intentionally hidden to avoid unintentional access by users while browsing the internet.
- This is the readily visible part of the internet anyone can access with an internet connection and a normal web browser like Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome.
- One of its greatest features is that it is specifically designed to prevent adversary attacks targeting your OS – as it says on the website – “Subgraph OS is an adversary resistant computing platform”.
- All this activity, this vision of a bustling marketplace, might make you think that navigating the dark web is easy.
- This site is sort of like a digital wallet and allows you to transact in Bitcoins.
- For those interested in cryptocurrencies, the DarkNetMarkets subreddit is a great resource.
What is Tor?
Tor is a free software that allows users to browse the web anonymously. It routes your connection through various servers, encrypting your data multiple times. This provides a layer of privacy and helps users maintain their anonymity online.
Steps to Access the Dark Web with Tor
- Download Tor Browser:
- Visit the official Tor Project website.
- Select the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
- Download and install the Tor Browser.
- Install the Tor Browser:
- Open the downloaded file and follow the installation instructions.
- Once installed, launch the Tor Browser.
- Connect to Tor Network:
- Upon launching, you will see an option to connect to the Tor network.
- Click ‘Connect’ and wait for the connection to establish.
- Access .onion Sites:
- Use the Tor Browser to enter .onion URLs, which are exclusive to the Tor network.
- Keep in mind that many dark web sites can be risky and are not well moderated.
- Enhance Your Privacy:
- Avoid sharing personal information on dark web sites.
- Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for an added layer of security.
Best Practices for Using Tor
- Stay Anonymous: Never provide your real name, address, or any identifiable information.
- Be Wary of Downloads: Avoid downloading files from the dark web as they may contain malware.
- Use HTTPS: Whenever possible, ensure that sites use HTTPS for secure connections.
- Regularly Update: Keep your Tor Browser updated to protect against security vulnerabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is accessing the dark web legal?
A1: Yes, accessing the dark web is legal in many countries. However, many activities conducted on the dark web can be illegal.
Q2: What types of content can be found on the dark web?
A2: The dark web hosts a variety of content, including forums, marketplaces, and websites for privacy-focused communities. It can also contain illegal content, so caution is advised.
Q3: Can I be tracked while using Tor?
A3: While Tor provides significant anonymity, determined adversaries may still track your activities through various methods. Being cautious and adhering to best practices is essential.
Q4: Is it safe to use Tor for sensitive communications?
A4: Tor can enhance privacy for sensitive communications, but it is wise to combine it with other secure practices, such as end-to-end encryption.
Understanding how to access the dark web with Tor is an essential skill for anyone seeking privacy and anonymity online. By following the steps outlined above and adhering to best practices for security, you can explore this hidden layer of the internet responsibly.
