Exploring the Dark Web: How to Get On

The dark web is infamous for illicit underground dark web marketplaces selling contraband across international borders. The Silk Road rose to notoriety in 2011 after a longform article was featured on the then popular site, Gawker. The Silk Road was eventually shuttered by law enforcement agents in 2013. But since the bust, several more dark web markets have appeared in its wake, each seeming more competent then the last. Well-known dark web marketplaces for illegal drug sales and other items include Alpha Bay, Agora and countless others.

The dark web is a mysterious and often misunderstood part of the internet that is not easily accessible through traditional web browsers. Despite its reputation for illicit activities, there are legitimate reasons why someone may want to explore this hidden corner of the internet. If you’re curious about how to get onto the dark web, here are some steps you can take:

What Is The Tor Browser?

It is simply a different section of the internet that is harder to access and less regulated. When selecting a VPN, look for features like a strict no-logging policy, high-speed connections and a large number of servers in various locations around the world. It’s also important to check the VPN’s compatibility with the Tor browser, as some VPNs may interfere with Tor’s ability to connect to the dark web. The big downside is that your ISP will know you are using Tor, which is cause for concern in some places and will put many people off using this method.

Step 1: Download a Tor Browser

To access the dark web, you will need to use a special browser that allows you to browse anonymously. The most popular choice for this is the Tor browser, which encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a series of servers to protect your identity.

How To Access The Deep Web

Used in with a dedicated private browser, DuckDuckGo is a powerful search engine and a potent privacy tool. Torch takes online anonymity and digital identity very seriously. The platform offers truly uncensored and unfiltered web search results.

Step 2: Install and Configure the Tor Browser

Don’t Stick Your Nose Where It Doesn’t Belong

Once you have downloaded the Tor browser, follow the installation instructions on the website. After installation, you may need to configure the browser settings to optimize your anonymity and security while browsing the dark web.

Step 3: Find Onion Websites

Infrastructure like that is both dangerous and illegal to access. They are separated into several categories to make browsing easier. This means that it can check if any given Tor website is online and when it was active last, making Daniel’s website an excellent first step in exploring Tor. I’ll only look at the dark web links in this article, so if you also want to know how to use Tor safely, check out our guide. As we can see in the list below, plenty of actual ransomware websites use onion.ly links.

On the dark web, websites have addresses that end in “.onion” instead of “.com” or “.org”. To find these sites, you can use directories like the Hidden Wiki or search engines specifically designed for the dark web.

As such, bad actors can replicate your data multiple times for profit. The dark web plays a role in all the data breaches reported in the news. This is because cybercriminals like identity thieves buy, sell, and trade this information in dark web marketplaces and forums. NordVPN uses industry-leading encryption to secure your browsing activity. Its Onion over VPN feature combines the best elements of the Tor browser and a VPN.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• When selecting a VPN, look for features like a strict no-logging policy, high-speed connections and a large number of servers in various locations around the world.
• Now that we’ve looked at how to enter the dark web and have gone over some of the gravest risks of doing so, we’ll give you some tips on how to access the dark web safely.
• While it has legitimate uses, the dark web’s anonymity also makes it a hotbed for illicit activities, contributing to its infamous reputation.
• But it can be a little difficult to access information because it doesn’t use an index to locate the desired information.

Is it Legal to Access the Dark Web?

However, it’s important to remember there are tonnes of legitimate reasons to use Tor to explore the dark web too. Get leading antivirus, fast VPN, real-time safe browsing and instant ad blocking – all in one app. Click here to learn How you can protect yourself from identity theft. Should any of your personal information ever be exposed in a data breach, spyware or phishing attack, there’s a good chance it will be taken to the dark web so a buyer can be found. The U.S. government created the dark web in the mid-1990s to allow spies to exchange confidential data anonymously. Some medical professionals even offer advice on sensitive health issues through dark web sites.

• Answer: Accessing the dark web itself is not illegal, but engaging in illegal activities on the dark web is against the law.

Can I Use My Regular Browser to Access the Dark Web?

• Answer: No, regular browsers like Chrome or Safari cannot access the dark web without specialized tools like the Tor browser.

By following these steps and exercising caution while exploring the dark web, you can satisfy your curiosity and navigate this hidden realm of the internet safely and responsibly.