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. To access the dark web, you will need to use the Tor network, which is a free software that allows anonymous communication.
Installing Tor
The first step to accessing the dark web is to install the Tor browser. You can download it from the official Tor project website. The Tor browser is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Android. Once you have downloaded the installer, run it and follow the on-screen instructions to install the browser.
Staying Anonymous On The Dark Web
Configuring Tor
After installing Tor, you can launch the browser and start browsing the dark web. However, before you do that, you should configure a few settings to ensure your privacy and security. Here are some steps you can follow:
Download Tor From Its Official Website
- Go to the Tor network settings and make sure that the “Use a bridge” option is checked. This will help you to bypass censorship and connect to the Tor network even if it is blocked in your country.
- Enable the “NoScript” extension, which will block scripts from running on websites you visit. This can help to prevent attacks such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and clickjacking.
- Use HTTPS Everywhere, which is a browser extension that forces websites to use a secure connection. This can help to protect your communication from eavesdropping and tampering.
- Consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to add an extra layer of security and privacy. A VPN will encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address, making it harder for others to track your online activity.
However, it’s not 100% secure, especially if you use it to access illicit marketplaces or message boards on the dark web. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Tor Browser is perfect, but it does provide another layer of security for your day-to-day browsing. Thanks to the onion routing technique, it’s considerably more difficult for a third party to trace individual user activity.
Accessing Onion Sites
Once you have configured Tor, you can start accessing onion sites, which are websites that are hosted on the dark web. To do this, you will need to enter the onion address of the site in the Tor browser’s address bar. Onion addresses are long strings of random characters that start with “http://” or “https://” followed by “onion”.
Use caution when handing out personal or financial information. There’s no regulation or assumption of safety on the dark web to protect your personal information. Countries such as China (and its famous “Great Firewall” blocks) may monitor citizens at the Internet Service Provider (ISP) level; if you are using Tor, the usage alone may appear in your records.
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Here are some examples of onion sites:
- The Hidden Wiki: This is a directory of onion sites that can help you to find content on the dark web. The address is http://zqktlwi4fecvo6ri.onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
- ProPublica: This is a non-profit news organization that has a mirror of its website on the dark web. The address is http://www.propub3r6espa33w.onion
- DuckDuckGo: This is a privacy-focused search engine that has a mirror of its website on the dark web. The address is https://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion
FAQs
Is it illegal to access the dark web?
No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, some activities on the dark web are illegal, such as buying or selling drugs, weapons, or stolen data. It is important to use the dark web responsibly and avoid engaging in illegal activities.
Can I get viruses or malware from the dark web?
Yes, there is a risk of getting viruses or malware from the dark web. This is because the dark web is often used for criminal activities, and malicious actors may try to infect your computer with malware or ransomware. To reduce the risk of getting infected, you should use
antivirus software and keep it up to date, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files, and use a VPN to encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address.
Can I use Tor on my mobile device?
Yes, you can use Tor on your mobile device. There is an official Tor browser for Android, which you can download from the Google Play Store. The Tor browser for Android is similar to the desktop version, but it has some limitations, such as slower browsing speed and less support for plugins.
Using the Tor browser is simple, but knowing when to fire it up is more complicated. Another challenge is CAPTCHAs; because Tor behaves differently than other browsers, it’s more likely to trigger the bot-hunting system, so be prepared to face more of them than usual. There are also many tools that can be use to monitor the dark web and scan for personally identifiable information and even respond to attacks. The dark web has flourished thanks to bitcoin, the crypto-currency that enables two parties to conduct a trusted transaction without knowing each other’s identity. “Bitcoin has been a major factor in the growth of the dark web, and the dark web has been a big factor in the growth of bitcoin,” says Tiquet. Many dark websites are set up by scammers, who constantly move around to avoid the wrath of their victims.
- Tor has tons of legitimate uses and is considered by many a cornerstone of democracy today.
- VPN over Tor requires you to place trust in your ISP but not your VPN and is best if you want to avoid bad Tor exit nodes.
- The threats of online browsing can extend into the unplugged world if your computer or network connection can be exploited.
- We always recommend using a reliable VPN when accessing the deep web or dark web.
They also limit bandwidth and speeds and bombard you with annoying ads and popups. Using a free service is simply not worth the risk when you can get a high-quality VPN backed by a risk-free, money-back guarantee. You can access Tor on your phone or iPad (not advised) — but not on Chromebook. Should you decide to access the dark web from your mobile phone, I highly encourage you to protect yourself with a VPN. The dark web is estimated to make up just a tiny fraction of the internet. However, it’s difficult to accurately tell its actual size due to its hidden, decentralized, and constantly evolving nature.
Can I access the dark web with a regular web browser?
No, you cannot access the dark web with a regular web browser. The dark web is hidden and requires special software, such as Tor, to access it. This is because the dark web uses a different network protocol, called onion routing, which allows for anonymous communication and helps to protect the privacy and security of its users.
