Unlike Tor, however, it cannot be used to access the public internet. It can only be used to access hidden services specific to the I2P network. I2P cannot be used to access .onion sites because it is a completely separate network from Tor. So, if you want to know how to access the dark web safely, you need to understand that the vast majority of the dark web, or dark net, is only accessible through the Tor browser. It’s like an iceberg – The visible tip above water, known as the “surface web” represents the familiar, searchable content.
- Analytics Insight is an award-winning tech news publication that delivers in-depth insights into the major technology trends that impact the markets.
- So, to clarify again, this tutorial will cover how to access the dark web privately and safely – not the deep web.
- While the Tor Browser hides your online browsing, it only hides your online activity through the Tor Browser.
- The looming threat of quantum computing has sparked adoption of post‑quantum cryptography in anonymity networks.
- This step-by-step guide is designed to help beginners navigate this hidden part of the internet safely and securely.
- Users should refrain from clicking on unverified links and exercise discretion in revealing personal information.
It is a reliable messaging tool where you copy/paste a text or image and send it to your addressee. Sci-Hub is a massive database that eliminates the barriers to getting scientific knowledge. It contains millions of scientific research documents from around the world. The site seeks to liberate information by making it free to individuals and institutions. ProPublica is a popular online publication that won five Pulitzers in 2016. It aims to expose abuses of power and betrayal of public trust through investigative journalism.
Step 2: Download Tor Browser
Because dark web pages generally aren’t indexed, you can’t find them using traditional search engines, but some search engines like DuckDuckGo may help you navigate the dark web more easily. The Hidden Wiki is a directory hosted on the clear net (also called the “surface web”) that contains a list of .onion links for many of the best dark web websites. To do so, enter a .onion URL and you’ll be taken to the dark web page being served at that address.
Alternatives To Tor
Always remember, your safety online depends significantly on personal responsibility, informed decisions, and proactive application of security tips. Embrace these strategies to confidently navigate the Dark Web, preserving your privacy and security in an ever-evolving digital landscape. There are both free and paid VPN services, but if you’re planning on accessing the dark web, you’re going to want to opt for a high-quality paid VPN that offers you plenty of protection. While there is a lot of criminal activity on the dark web, there’s nothing actually illegal about accessing the dark web.
You don’t even need to use Tor Browser, but keep in mind other browsers can still pass identifying information through the network. Alternatively, there’s IPVanish who claim to be the world’s number one VPN for Tor and comes highly recommended, you can save 60% on the annual plan here. Officially, the Tor Browser is only available on Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux. Many experts advise against using third-party mobile browsers that utilize the Tor Network.
Is The Dark Web Illegal?
You’re also open to threats like end-to-end correlation attacks, so while Tor is a lot more secure and private, it’s by no means completely safe. The dark web comes with its own set of tools and services, including web browsers and search engines (which I’ll get on to in a moment). Part of what makes the dark web the dark web is that you can’t access it through your normal web browser, nor can you look something up on it via a Google search.
Step 3: Install And Launch Tor
He strives to make complex cybersecurity topics accessible and understandable to the broadest audiences. In his spare time, Michael likes writing fiction, reading murder mystery novels, and spending time with his family. A lot of the user data that gets stolen or leaked from big platforms ends up on the dark web, where users buy, sell, and exchange it among themselves. As explained earlier, you won’t be able to access the dark web the same way you would the surface web. You can’t type dark web addresses into your usual browser or search for them via Google.
How Do I Access The Dark Web Safely Using Tor Browser?
Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Analytics Insight, or any of its affiliates, officers or directors. The “VPN-over-Tor” approach offers added protection, even if Tor is compromised. By distributing communication over several nodes, it obscures the user’s IP address. Indeed, most nations; including the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, allow access to the dark web as a lawful activity.
Dark Web Threats
Instead, you\’ll need to independently seek out the specific dark websites you wish to explore. This unique browsing experience underscores the user\’s active role in navigating the intricacies of the Dark Web landscape. Accessing the Dark Web requires the use of the Tor (The Onion Router) browser. Well known for its emphasis on security and privacy, the Tor browser distinguishes itself from mainstream browsers like Firefox or Chrome. Unlike the direct route taken by conventional browsers, Tor employs a series of encrypted servers known as nodes, chosen randomly, to ensure both user and site anonymity.
Given the many cyber threats present on the dark web, it’s recommended to be extra careful when you access it. The last thing you need to do to access the dark web is find links for sites hosted there. Unlike the surface web, you won’t be able to find dark web sites through a search engine. Rather, you’ll need to visit dark web aggregators that share links to various pages, or wikis where users can add dark web links manually. You will never know when you stumble upon illegal materials, inadvertently download malicious software, or expose yourself to identity theft.
Since you are navigating in uncharted territories with all the myriad threats today, you’ll have to disable them in your network settings to stay safe. Many dark net sites do not undertake the necessary measures to protect users like most websites on the surface web. As a result, you can be exposed to different malware types, including botnets, ransomware, keyloggers, and phishing.
You can’t access “.onion” sites through regular browsers like Chrome and Firefox. While the Tor Browser is designed to protect your privacy, it’s not 100% safe on its own. Without a VPN, your ISP can see that you’re using Tor, and the first Tor server (entry node) can see your real IP address.
Tips To Stay Safe When Using The Dark Web
Finally, many people consider the dark web a necessary tool for privacy and freedom of speech. In fact, there is an entire section of the dark web dedicated to pornographic content. However, it is important to note that not all of this content is legal. Freenet is still an experiment designed to resist denial-of-service attacks and censorship. Reddit is also a valuable resource for finding the dark net or deep website you’re looking for.
The deep web is basically all the content that you can’t find using Google or Yahoo search. So, that means that the number of pages increased by over 100 trillion in just over three years. Hypothetically speaking, Google may be aware of well over 200 trillion individual pages (these are obviously NOT all indexed in the search engine). Typically, any reference to the visible web will be to common websites with a familiar internet domain extension.
First, Install A Reliable VPN
Tor isn’t available for iOS due to Apple’s restrictions, but you can still access the dark web on your iPhone using the Onion Browser, which is from the Tor Project. This app connects to the Tor network, allowing you to visit .onion sites. Given the amount of illegal and unsettling content on the dark web, there is always a risk that you might encounter something that could disturb you.
