The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also hosts legitimate content and communities. If you’re interested in exploring the dark web, here’s how to do it safely and responsibly.
How To Safely Access And Navigate The Dark Web
Use a VPN
Is Tor free?
Tor has installers available for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Connecting to the Tor network entails more than just installing a browser and loading websites. You need to install support code, which sounds daunting, but the free Tor Browser bundle streamlines the process.
Before accessing the dark web, it’s important to protect your online privacy and security. A virtual private network (VPN) can help you do this by encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address. This makes it harder for anyone to track your online activity or identify your location.
What Types Of Services Can Cybercriminals Access On The Dark Web?
Download and Install Tor
Is it safe to go on Tor without VPN?
Is it safe to use Tor without a VPN? While using a VPN and Tor together can help prevent any of the nodes from seeing your IP address, Tor is still extremely secure on its own, making it very difficult for anyone to identify a specific Tor user.
To access the dark web, you’ll need to use the Tor browser. Tor is a free, open-source software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing your internet connection through a network of servers, which makes it difficult for anyone to trace your online activity.
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To download and install Tor, go to the official Tor Project website and follow the instructions. Make sure to download the correct version for your operating system.
Configure Tor
Incognito VPN Browser With TOR
A dark web site is a website that has a .onion extension in its URL. These are only accessible through the Tor browser, and they offer enhanced anonymity to their users. Having read the previous section, you may wonder if accessing the dark web is illegal.
Once you’ve installed Tor, you’ll need to configure it for dark web browsing. Here’s how:
- It can only be accessed through an encrypted peer-to-peer network connection or by using an overlay network, such as the Tor browser.
- It is called the Dark Web, not to be confused with the Deep Web, which are websites which cannot be ordinarily accessed due to paywalls or password-protected login pages (such as online banking).
- The difference between the deep web and the dark web is that the deep web refers to all web content that requires login credentials to access, while dark web content requires special software to access.
- Currently, the going rate for stolen credit card information with a balance of up to $1,000 is only $70, while cards with a balance of up to $5,000 cost $110.
- Open the Tor browser.
- Click on the onion icon in the top left corner of the browser window.
- Select “Configure…” from the drop-down menu.
- Under “Security Settings,” select “Safer” or “Safest” to enable additional security features.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
But while it certainly is a place where illegal activities are facilitated, it can also be a force for good. It’s important to use a VPN when accessing the dark web to protect your online safety and identity. It’s not easy to find what you’re looking for on the dark web, especially if you want to do it safely.
Access Dark Web Sites
And just as an onion has many layers, Tor has many levels of encryption. It’s important to stay vigilant as you browse online, interact with other users, and share your credentials on numerous platforms. Public Wi-Fi hotspots might be convenient, but they’re notoriously unsafe. Hackers have their tricks to exploit public Wi-Fi networks and use these unsecured networks to distribute malicious software, gather data, carry out man-in-the-middle attacks, and much more. Access is created through a backend web application and requires a key to access. While it was originally used by dissidents to circumvent censorship laws, it is now popularly used by cyber criminals to offload stolen and malicious content.
Now that you’ve configured Tor, you can start accessing dark web sites. Keep in mind that many dark web sites are illegal or unethical, so it’s important to exercise caution and use your best judgment. Here’s how to access a dark web site:
- Open the Tor browser.
- Type the onion URL of the dark web site you want to visit in the address bar.
- Press Enter to load the site.
All commonly public-facing websites accessed via traditional browsers like Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox are contained here. Websites are usually labeled with registry operators like “.com” and “.org” and can be easily located with popular search engines. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory funded a project called The Onion Router (TOR).
Stay Safe
The dark web can be a dangerous place, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. Here are some tips:
- Never reveal your personal information or identity.
- Don’t download or install any software unless you’re absolutely sure it’s safe.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts.
- Keep your operating system and antivirus software up to date.
- Consider using a hardware wallet for cryptocurrency transactions.
However, the dark web is a carefully concealed portion of the deep web that people go out of their way to keep hidden. The deep web refers to any page on the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines as described above. The deep web is the first level beneath the “surface” of the visible web — and it’s significantly larger than the surface web, accounting for an estimated 96% to 99% of the entire internet.
Conclusion
Accessing the dark web can be a fascinating and educational experience, but it’s important to do so safely and responsibly. By using a VPN, downloading and installing Tor, and following the tips outlined in this article, you can explore the dark web with confidence.
What can you do with Tor?
- BLOCK TRACKERS. Tor Browser isolates each website you visit so third-party trackers and ads can't follow you.
- DEFEND AGAINST SURVEILLANCE. Tor Browser prevents someone watching your connection from knowing what websites you visit.
- RESIST FINGERPRINTING.
- MULTI-LAYERED ENCRYPTION.
- BROWSE FREELY.