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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. In this article, we will guide you through the process of accessing the dark web safely and securely.
Is Tor Browser Free?
Let’s unpack both of these concepts in terms of the “dark web browser” and the websites themselves. Locating surface web websites is possible because search engines can index the web via visible links (a process called “crawling” due to the search engine traveling the web like a spider). The dark web’s inherent anonymity is helpful for political activists, journalists, and anyone living in regions that heavily restrict and monitor internet access. You can even organize decentralized communication networks to share benign memes if you want—though it’s probably easier to just use WhatsApp or Discord.
What is the Dark Web?
Is my email address on the dark web?
However, you can use a few tools to find out whether your email address has appeared on the dark web. For instance, you can use the NordPass Data Breach Scanner to monitor your email addresses and credit card details. Having your data exposed during a leak is a strong indication that it's present on the dark web.
That said, while it’s not illegal to browse the dark web, it’s also not completely void of criminal activity. Putting yourself in close proximity with illegal activities is rarely a good idea and could heighten your risk of being targeted by a criminal yourself. So, why would someone not want their website to be picked up by a search engine?
Dark Web Search Engines
The dark web is a collection of websites that are not indexed by search engines and are only accessible through special software. These websites use encryption and anonymity tools to hide their location and the identity of their users. The dark web is often used for illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and child pornography. However, it also hosts legitimate content such as political dissent, whistleblowing, and journalism.
How to Access the Dark Web
How To Protect Yourself Online
To access the dark web, you will need to use a special browser called Tor. Tor is a free, open-source software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing your internet connection through a series of volunteer-operated servers, which makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
How do I access onion sites?
- Download Tor Browser from here.
- Install Tor Browser on your computer by opening the file you downloaded and following the prompts.
- Open Tor Browser.
- Click “Connect” on the Tor startup page.
- Wait for a connection to be established.
- Surf the dark web!
To download and install Tor, follow these steps:
- Go to the Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/) and download the latest version of Tor for your operating system.
- Install Tor by following the instructions provided.
- Launch Tor and wait for it to connect to the network.
But if you want to find something specific, you can also ask a Librarian to help you locate it. Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008. There are SO MANY pages to look at in the Dark Web, but we’re obviously not going to show you where to buy a gun or a fake passport. So the links above are a good starting point and from there you will immediately go off in a dozen different directions all at once.
Once you have installed and launched Tor, you can start browsing the dark web. However, it is important to note that the dark web can be dangerous, and you should take precautions to protect your privacy and security.
Can you check if your password has been leaked?
Avast Hack Check notifies you automatically if your password is compromised, so you can secure your accounts before anyone can use your stolen passwords.
Nira’s Cloud Document Security system provides complete visibility of internal and external access to company documents. Organizations get a single source of truth combining metadata from multiple APIs to provide one place to manage access for every document that employees touch. Nira currently works with Google Workplace, Microsoft 365, and Slack. When making purchases or communicating over the dark web, always use encrypted and anonymous email addresses. Similarly, it’s better to use a cryptocurrency wallet when making payments.
- Some secure services even use escrow services to gain trust and keep the doubts of scams away.
- Unlike traditional threat intelligence platforms, CTI4SOC is powered by big data scrutinized by SOCRadar’s analyst team through the dark web.
- However, it can help prevent your ISP from seeing your online activity and marking it as suspicious.
- This is the reason we must use a VPN to hide our identity while accessing the dark web.
- The Ashley Madison data dump, for instance, was posted to a site only accessible to Tor users.
How to Browse the Dark Web Safely
To browse the dark web safely, follow these tips:
- Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity. We recommend using a reputable VPN service such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
- Use antivirus software: The dark web is full of malware and viruses, so it is important to use antivirus software to protect your computer. Make sure to keep your antivirus software up to date and run regular scans.
- Do not download anything: Many files on the dark web contain malware or viruses. Avoid downloading anything unless you are absolutely sure it is safe.
- Do not give out personal information: The dark web is full of scams and phishing attempts. Do not give out any personal information, such as your name, address, or credit card number.
- Use a secure password: Use a unique, complex password for each website you visit on the dark web. Consider using a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.
Conclusion
The dark web can be a dangerous place, but it can also be a valuable resource for accessing information that is not available on the surface web. By following the tips in this article, you can browse the dark web safely and securely. Remember to use a VPN, antivirus software, and a secure password, and avoid downloading anything or giving out personal information.
Should I be worried if my information is on the dark web?
If your personal information is spotted on the dark web, it could mean someone took the information without your permission. Criminals steal personal information in a variety of ways. Some try hacking into accounts or using malware to capture passwords.
