The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through traditional web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also hosts legitimate content that is not available on the surface web. To access the dark web, you need to use a special browser called Tor.
What is Tor?
Download Tor On Linux
Tor (The Onion Router) is a free and open-source software that enables anonymous communication. It hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, allowing you to browse the web anonymously. Tor is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android operating systems.
A VPN server adds an extra layer of protection to your browsing data by encrypting it and changing your IP address. This prevents your personal details from being leaked when you’re connected to the Tor network. When you activate Onion Over VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a NordVPN server and then via the Tor network. As a result, you don’t need to use the Tor browser or any specialized browser to access dark web websites.
How to Install Tor?
To install Tor, follow these steps:
How To Access The Dark Web
- Go to the Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/).
- Download the Tor Browser bundle for your operating system.
- Extract the downloaded file to a folder on your computer.
- Open the Tor Browser folder and double-click on the “Start Tor Browser” icon.
- Wait for Tor to connect to the network. This may take a few minutes.
The Hidden Wiki 2022 is a Dark Web directory site that mimics the style of “The Hidden Wiki” – a popular Dark Web website. The Hidden Wiki 2022 is a good point to start your journey on the Dark Web if you are really new. Much like the real Wikipedia on the clear web, the Hidden Wiki 2022 offers tons of information and links you can jump through to really get to know the Dark Web. Plus Search results from Dark Web engines usually vary significantly as they tend to crawl the Dark Web differently and apply different filters to search results.
Is Tor A VPN?
How to Access the Dark Web with Tor?
Once you have installed Tor, you can access the dark web by following these steps:
It’s also important to note that browsing the dark web on a mobile device can be more dangerous than on a desktop or PC. Dark web sites can track your location (using GPS or WiFi location tracking) and access other information easily when you’re using a mobile device. Signup for PureVPN to get complete online security and privacy with a hidden IP address and encrypted internet traffic. You can use Tor to access the surface web since it only provides an encrypted network and transfers your data through random nodes, making it hard to track you.
- Open the Tor Browser.
- Type the URL of the dark web site you want to visit in the address bar. Dark web sites usually have an “onion” domain name, such as http://exampleurlxyz.onion.
- Press Enter.
- Wait for the page to load. It may take a few seconds or minutes, depending on the site’s traffic and your internet connection.
Precautions for Accessing the Dark Web
Accessing the dark web can be risky, as it hosts both legal and illegal content. Here are some precautions you should take:
- Do not use your real name or personal information when creating accounts or interacting with others on the dark web.
- Do not download or install any software or files from untrusted sources.
- Do not engage in illegal activities or share illegal content.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) to add an extra layer of security and anonymity.
- Regularly update your Tor Browser to the latest version.
Use Tor alongside a VPN to ensure your web traffic is fully encrypted. But fortunately knowing how to use Tor Browser doesn’t require a PhD in computer science — it’s surprisingly easy and user-friendly. If you need to access dark web resources, these are the steps you need to take. The dark web, however, requires special software to access, as explained below. Here’s everything you need to know about this other internet, as well as how to access it.
- These search engines don’t track your activity or store your data, unlike mainstream alternatives such as Google or Bing.
- Plus, they’re not as efficient in helping you navigate to where you want to go.
- Like many underground phenomena on the internet, it is poorly understood and shrouded in the sort of technological mysticism that people often ascribe to things like hacking or Bitcoin.
By following these steps and precautions, you can safely access the dark web with Tor and explore its hidden content.