How to Access the Dark Web: A Comprehensive Guide

Cybercriminals and other malicious actors rely heavily on the capabilities of the Dark Web in various unlawful ways. The hotspots for illegal activity on the Dark Web are marketplaces and forums where bad actors transact illegal products and services. In more technical terms, the dark web is the part of the web where sites are hosted on so-called darknets — computer networks overlaid on other networks. Like regular “surface” sites, dark web sites use internet protocols, but the darknet networks that are overlaid on normal networks can’t be accessed through regular web browsers. ProtonMail is a Swiss-based encrypted email service that doesn’t require personal information when you sign up. ProtonMail’s end-to-end encryption makes it one of the best onion sites for easy-to-use, secure, anonymous email.

• However, not all education is suitable or safe to deliver in this way, particularly education to protect children from online sexual abuse.
• Additionally, using Tor with a VPN lets you access the Tor Network in situations and locations where it is blocked.
• The main purpose of TOR is to provide access to the dark web and bypass censorship and surveillance in countries with restricted internet access.
• This is achieved by directing internet traffic through a global network of servers, which conceals the user’s identity and location.
• Similarly, they determine the specific interests of visitors’ navigation and present appropriate content.

Accessing the dark web can seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it’s actually quite simple. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps necessary to access the dark web safely and securely.

Method 2: Use Tails & The Tor Browser

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It’s often associated with illegal activity, but it also hosts a number of legitimate websites and forums. To access the dark web, you’ll need to use a special browser called the Tor browser.

How To Access The Dark Web Safely: Final Thoughts

How to Download and Install the Tor Browser

The Tor browser is free and open-source software that allows you to browse the dark web anonymously. Here’s how to download and install it:

Hacking Groups And Services

1. Go to the Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/).
2. Click on the “Download Tor” button.
3. Choose the version of the Tor browser that’s appropriate for your operating system.
4. Once the download is complete, open the installer and follow the prompts to install the Tor browser.

When you’re finished, make sure to close your browser before disconnecting from your VPN. To arrest Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road magnate, FBI agents had to physically grab his laptop. The search engine shows the website to anyone who submits a relevant query. You can download it or get more details on the TorProject.org website. Once you install the Tor Browser, it is important to set the location right.

How to Use the Tor Browser

The volume of dark web domains has remained stagnant, even though the overall traffic has increased recently,” Estes says. “The actors behind an attack may not access the organization’s network directly themselves. They may pay someone else to do that because that person has bought a vulnerability on the dark web to gain the access,” he says. Botnets are cheap and easy to use, so they continue to be among the most common cybercrime commodities sold on the dark web.

Using the Tor browser is similar to using any other web browser, but there are a few key differences. Here’s how to use the Tor browser to access the dark web:

1. Open the Tor browser.
2. In the address bar, type in the .onion URL of the website you want to visit. Note that .onion URLs are only accessible through the Tor browser.

Then open your VPN app and connect to another location other than where you are at, make sure to use the OpenVPN protocol as it is the most secure. Now close all of your browser windows and all apps connecting to the internet like Google Drive, Skype, OneDrive, iCloud, etc. The other benefit of using a VPN is to prevent hackers from stealing your identity and or personal files and photos from your computer. Dark Web or DarkNet is a subset of the Deep Web where there are sites that sell drugs, hacking software, counterfeit money, and more. We explain this further down the article if you are not up to speed. According to researchers, only 4% of the internet is visible to the general public.

3. Browse the website as you would any other website.

FAQs

Is it illegal to access the dark web?

No, it’s not illegal to access the dark web. However, some activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, so it’s important to use caution and only visit websites that you trust.

Can I get in trouble for accessing the dark web?

As long as you’re not engaging in illegal activities, you shouldn’t have any issues accessing the dark web. However, it’s important to remember that your online activity can be traced, so it’s important to use the Tor browser and take other precautions to protect your privacy.

Do I need to use a VPN with the Tor browser?

Using a VPN with the Tor browser can provide an additional layer of security, but it’s not necessary. The Tor browser already provides a high level of anonymity, so using a VPN is optional.

Can I use the Tor browser on my phone?

Yes, the Tor browser is available for both Android and iOS devices. However, keep in mind that the dark web can be a dangerous place, so it’s important to use caution and only visit websites that you trust.

Is it safe to access the dark web?

Accessing the dark web can be risky, as there are a number of threats and scams that you need to be aware of. However, as long as you take the necessary precautions and use the Tor browser, you can access the dark web safely and securely.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now have a good understanding of how to access the dark web. Remember to always use caution and only visit websites that you trust. Happy browsing!