If you’re gonna use the Tor network to access the deep web — or the surface web for that matter — make sure to install one of the best VPNs to protect yourself against malicious exit and entry nodes. This is the main way that search engines become aware of a certain website or web page, and is generally how sites like Google add web pages to their index. In order to properly understand how the deep web works, you first have to understand a few fundamentals of how the regular internet operates, especially as it relates to search engines. Adding MFA can help keep others out of your account even if your username and password are leaked on the dark web. Some accounts automatically require MFA, but others offer it as an optional feature. There are ways to access the dark web without Tor, but they offer different levels of accessibility and security.
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 that is not available on the surface web. So, how do people access the dark web?
Checking Accounts
Using a Dark Web Browser
The fact that the dark web is highly anonymized and encrypted, however, also attracts illicit conduct. One study[1] estimated that 57 percent of dark websites facilitate illicit activity, according to the RAND report. At various points in 2013 and 2016, large drug sales on the dark net approached a quarter of all cryptomarket drug revenue, the report said. But researchers found most drug sales on the dark web were under $100. Rosalyn Page has been writing about technology long enough to remember when the only thing to worry about was Y2K. Since then, the dot-com boom became the dot-com bubble, technology fundamentally altered our lives, and everything has become about security.
Added Security: Use A VPN
The first step to accessing the dark web is to download and install a dark web browser. The most popular dark web browser is the Tor browser, which is a free and open-source software that enables anonymous communication. The Tor network routes internet traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers, called nodes, which makes it difficult to trace the origin of the traffic.
Why would my phone number be on the dark web?
When breaches happen, the information stolen almost always makes its way to the Dark Web. Here, hackers and cybercriminals buy, sell, and trade various forms of identification, along with bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and phone numbers.
Evading government restrictions to explore new political ideologies can be an imprisonable offense in some countries. China uses what is known as the “Great Firewall” limit access to popular sites for this exact reason. The risk of being a visitor to this content could lead to being placed on a watchlist or immediate targeting for a jail sentence. On the software end, the use of Tor and other anonymized browsers is not strictly illegal. In fact, these supposed “dark web” browsers are not tethered exclusively to this portion of the internet.
Is The Dark Web Illegal?
Other dark web browsers include the Invisible Internet Project (I2P) and Freenet. These browsers also use a network of volunteer-operated nodes to provide anonymous communication, but they are less popular than the Tor browser.
Configuring the Dark Web Browser
Once you have installed a dark web browser, you need to configure it properly to ensure your anonymity. This involves adjusting the browser’s security settings and using a virtual private network (VPN) to mask your IP address. It is also recommended to use a separate computer or a virtual machine dedicated to accessing the dark web to minimize the risk of malware infections.
Finding Dark Web Sites
Accessing the dark web is only half the battle. The next challenge is finding the content you are looking for. Dark web sites, also known as hidden services, do not appear in search engine results, and their URLs are not human-readable. Instead, they are a random string of characters that end with the .onion top-level domain.
To find dark web sites, you need to use directories or forums that list hidden services. Some popular directories include the Hidden Wiki and Daniel’s Hosting. These directories contain links to various categories of hidden services, such as marketplaces, forums, and blogs.
Exercising Caution
- For Chromebook users — unfortunately, there isn’t an official Tor app available for ChromeOS at this time.
- There are many ways to access the Dark Web, including one technique known as onion routing.
- In July 2016, passwords for roughly 200 million Yahoo! accounts appeared for sale.
- Some use similar services such as I2P, for example the Silk Road Reloaded.
It is important to exercise caution when accessing the dark web. The anonymity provided by the Tor network and other dark web browsers can be exploited by cybercriminals to carry out illegal activities. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid engaging in any illegal activities and to use the dark web solely for legitimate purposes.
Additionally, the dark web is known for its scams and frauds. Therefore, it is essential to verify the authenticity of any hidden service before conducting any transactions. This can be done by checking the reputation of the hidden service on forums and directories, as well as by using cryptocurrency tumblers to mask the origin of the transactions.
Conclusion
Accessing the dark web requires the use of a dark web browser and the configuration of its security settings. Once you have gained access, you can find hidden services by using directories or forums that list them. However, it is important to exercise caution when accessing the dark web and to use it solely for legitimate purposes.
Should I worry if my phone number is on the dark web?
If you find your information on the dark web, take immediate action to update your passwords, report any fraudulent credit card charges and secure your accounts. You can check to see where your information appears with a free dark web scan.
