Content
Once you have downloaded and installed the browser you need to connect to the Tor network. The Tor browser uses the Tor network to bounce your traffic through multiple servers around the world, making it virtually impossible for anyone to track your activity. The deep web refers to all the web content not indexed by search engines.
A Good VPN (virtual Private Network)
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 has legitimate uses, such as providing a platform for free speech and whistleblowing. So, how do you access the dark web?
It’s best to avoid sharing any personal information on the dark web, including your real name and location. If you must provide any details, create a new identity or pseudonym to prevent any link to your real identity. Dark web marketplaces are where buyers and sellers can exchange goods or services anonymously.
Is It Illegal To Access The Dark Web?
Using a Dark Web Browser
- While Tor Browser provides anonymity, it is not entirely foolproof.
- You can access most of the Deep Web using the same browser you use for the Surface Web.
- If you get NordVPN, you can also use the Tor network whenever you want with its Onion over VPN servers.
- There are some websites you can absolutely get in legal trouble for even visiting, so proceed with the utmost caution.
- DuckDuckgo is a search engine that emphasizes protecting searchers’ privacy and avoiding the filter bubble of personalized search results.
- Dark Web Monitoring automatically scans the murkiest corners of the internet for data leaks.
The most common way to access the dark web is by using a dark web browser, such as the Tor browser. The Tor browser is a free, open-source software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously by routing your internet connection through a series of volunteer-run servers around the world. This makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or determine your location.
To use the Tor browser, you first need to download and install it on your computer. Once installed, you can open the browser and start browsing the dark web. However, it’s important to note that the dark web is not indexed by search engines, so you’ll need to know the specific URLs of the sites you want to visit.
Deep web refers to anything on the internet that is not indexed by and, therefore, accessible via a search engine like Google. Deep web content includes anything behind a paywall or requires sign-in credentials. It also includes any content that its owners have blocked web crawlers from indexing. The dark web, on the other hand, is a specific subset of the deep web. It refers to websites and online platforms that are intentionally hidden and can only be accessed through specialized software, such as the Tor (The Onion Router) network.
Close Every Open Internet-connected Program You Have Running
Using a VPN
Another way to access the dark web is by using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a remote server, making it difficult for anyone to intercept your data or track your online activity. This can provide an additional layer of security when accessing the dark web.
Has my info been leaked on the dark web?
Run a free Dark Web scan
This is a good place to start — however, free scanners only check for email addresses (and sometimes phone numbers). To see if your financial data, SSN, or IDs have been leaked, you need to sign up for a Dark Web monitoring service.
Facebook’s onion version lets people access Facebook in countries where access to the social network is otherwise restricted. The Hidden Wiki is the dark web’s unofficial Wikipedia, where you can find “.onion” links for many black web pages, services, and other content. The Hidden Wiki doesn’t discriminate, so if you start diving into dark net links randomly, you may come across objectionable or dangerous material. The dark web contains a wide variety of services and content to its users, some of which skirts or disregards legality. While the intention and purpose of users on the dark web may vary, the dark web itself is neither good nor bad.
To use a VPN, you first need to sign up for a VPN service and install the VPN software on your computer. Once installed, you can connect to a VPN server and start browsing the dark web through the Tor browser.
Using a Dark Web Search Engine
The dark web contains content that’s only accessible through networks like Tor. Tor browsers create encrypted entry points and pathways for the user, so dark web activity remains anonymous. The encryption technology routes users’ data through a large number of intermediate servers, which protects the users’ identity and guarantees anonymity. Connect to a VPN first, then use Tor in a Tor-over-VPN setup for extra security. The dark web is an encrypted portion of the internet not visible to the general public via a traditional search engine such as Google.
Can I tell if my email has been hacked?
If your normal email password isn't working, there's a good chance you've been hacked. There are strange messages in your “Sent” folder. In other cases, a hacker wants to use your email without alerting you that you've been hacked. Look for strange emails in your sent folder that you didn't send.
If you’re having trouble finding the specific URLs of the sites you want to visit on the dark web, you can use a dark web search engine. Dark web search engines work similarly to regular search engines, but they index dark web sites instead of surface web sites. Some popular dark web search engines include Ahmia, Not Evil, and Candle.
Is DuckDuckGo a Tor?
DuckDuckGo is the default search engine in Tor Browser. DuckDuckGo does not track its users nor does it store any data about user searches. Learn more about DuckDuckGo privacy policy.
Conclusion
Accessing the dark web can be a useful tool for protecting your privacy and freedom of speech, but it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself. Always use a dark web browser, such as the Tor browser, and consider using a VPN for an additional layer of security. And remember, the dark web is not indexed by search engines, so you’ll need to know the specific URLs of the sites you want to visit.
Should I delete my email if it was found on the dark web?
Once your data is out and about on the dark web, it's out there for good. The only thing you can do now is damage control and risk mitigation. *Incidentally, there's no central regular internet control agency you can ask to delete your data online.