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The most common way today to access dark web (onion) sites is to obtain links to their domains through directories and forums, where users and admins share links to the sites. I personally recommend Tor over VPN because it’s the safer option — the VPN encrypts your traffic and changes your IP address, so the Tor network can’t see them. That’s helpful because Tor can suffer IP leaks and malicious actors can run Tor servers. Basically, if a Tor IP leak occurs before you connect to the VPN, your real IP address will be exposed.
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. Avast BreachGuard scans the dark web and will alert you immediately if and when it detects your personal data. BreachGuard will guide you through the process of recovering your accounts and protecting them before a hacker can use your leaked credentials. Secure your data and keep hackers out of your account with a specialized dark web monitoring tool. It’s possible to buy and sell illegal drugs, malware, and prohibited content in darknet marketplaces.
However, there are also illegal goods and services available on the dark web. DuckDuckGo is the go-to search engine when you are on the Tor network. DuckDuckGo does not track its users and serves non-personalized search results. Based on the company’s study, approximately 60 million people use DuckDuckGo to search online (as of June 2020).
Understanding the Dark Web
Third parties can still see your IP address before you use Tor though, which means your ISP knows if you’re using the browser. That’s why we recommend using Tor-over-VPN so you can hide your Tor activity too. Some ISPs and governments take a special interest in anyone they detect using Tor to track potential criminal activity. Loopholes exist, and if your government is motivated enough to track what you’re doing, they can. You can also use Ahmia to explore insights and statistics about the Tor network. The blacklist isn’t foolproof and questionable sites often find their way onto Ahmia search results pages.
The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines, making it less accessible to the average user. It is important for anyone looking to explore this hidden side of the web to understand how to navigate it safely and effectively.
“Threat actors increasingly request and share data that fit specific categories, leading to a more structured landscape for illicit data trading,” Boutboul says. Another area on the up is marketing lead databases, which have been available on the dark web for some time, but the aggregate amount has increased dramatically in recent years, according to Biswas. Although the data may be publicly available on social media or in business directories, it’s scraped and reposted. “But it still exposes a vast number of individuals to phishing scams, corporate fraud, and social engineering,” he says.
Whenever data leaks compromise sensitive business data, it helps to engage a managed security services provider. This approach helps mitigate risk and reduce the chances of another security event occurring again. In this case, signing up for credit monitoring and checking your rating regularly is also a good idea. It’s also a good idea to take it a step further and leverage a dark web monitoring service. You can access the dark web on mobile with a dedicated dark web browser app.
What Is the Dark Web?
However, bear in mind that they are often less user-friendly than Tor (which makes accessing the dark web easy). You may never have expected Facebook to have a dark web mirror, but the reality is that even Zuck wants to ensure that people all over the world can access Facebook if they need to! Just remember that when you login to and use Facebook, the service still knows who you are. Thus, the dark web version of Facebook is there for bypassing censorship, not for gaining anonymity on the social media platform. Regular browsers like Firefox and Chrome can’t access this concealed portion of the internet, because they are not designed to find websites listed using The Onion Router hidden service protocol.
The dark web refers to encrypted online content that is not indexed by standard search engines like Google. Users can only access these sites through specific software, configurations, or authorization.
In my next post, I’ll explain how to prepare to navigate the Dark Web. We’ll consider the risks you might face and discuss measures you must take to protect yourself. Like VPNs, Tor networks use virtual tunnels, but unlike VPNs, these tunnels don’t connect clients directly to servers. Instead, Tor clients create circuits through relay points in the Tor network. ¹ The score you receive with Aura is provided for educational purposes to help you understand your credit. It is calculated using the information contained in your Equifax credit file.
Tools Needed to Search the Dark Web
To search in the dark web, you need specialized tools. Here are the primary components:
- Tor Browser – A modified version of Mozilla Firefox that allows users to access .onion websites.
- VPN (Virtual Private Network) – Provides anonymity and security by masking your IP address.
- Search Engines for the Dark Web – While standard search engines won’t work, you can use dark web search engines like DuckDuckGo or Ahmia.
How to Set Up Your Dark Web Access
Follow these steps to safely access the dark web:
- Install a VPN before proceeding to further protect your identity.
- Download the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website.
- Configure your Tor settings for enhanced security, such as disabling scripts that can compromise your anonymity.
- Open the Tor Browser and ensure you are connected to the Tor network.
Searching in the Dark Web
When it comes to searching, keep these tips in mind:
- Use dark web-specific search engines to find .onion sites.
- Navigate forums and communities – Many dark web sites exist within forums; being part of these communities can provide valuable intel.
- Exercise caution with the links you click, as not all are safe or legal.
Safety Tips While Browsing the Dark Web
Safety is paramount when exploring the dark web:
- There are several email and IM services which you can use, and it’s highly recommended to pick one if you want to step up your dark web game.
- However, Tor is not the only browser you can use to access the Dark Web.
- Ecosia is like a Tor search engine that aims to give something back.
- This part of Facebook was supposedly developed by them to cater to those who want a social network that’s anonymous.
- For example, they prevent the same advertisement from being shown again to the visitor in a short period.
- Avoid sharing personal information – Never disclose your identity or personal data.
- Be wary of downloads – Files can be embedded with malware.
- Stay aware of legal implications – Many activities on the dark web are illegal.
FAQs About Searching the Dark Web
1. Is the dark web illegal?
The dark web itself is not illegal, but many activities conducted on it, such as drug trafficking, illegal pornography, and hacking services, are unlawful.
2. How can I ensure my safety while browsing?
Using a VPN, using the Tor Browser, and minimizing your personal footprint can greatly enhance your safety.
3. What are some dark web search engines?
Dark web search engines like Ahmia, DuckDuckGo, and Not Evil can help you navigate better.
4. Can I access the dark web without special software?
No, you must use the Tor Browser or similar software to navigate the dark web.
Conclusion
Learning how to search in the dark web requires cautious steps, from setting up a secure connection to using specialized search tools. Familiarizing yourself with the risks and operating guidelines will provide a safer browsing experience and enable you to exploit the dark web’s resources effectively.
