Incognito VPN Browser With TOR
Understanding the Dark Web
The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines. It exists on an encrypted network, requiring specific software and configurations to access.
In theory this should make your deep web browsing (as well as your regular web browsing) entirely private from interlopers. However, since your traffic is routed through nodes that you don’t have any control over, you are at the mercy of whoever operates these nodes. If you use the widest definition of the deep web, then it’s a vast ocean of websites. If you’ve followed the news in the last two decades, you’ve probably heard stories and seen headlines about the deep web or dark web.
But as this platform became a revenue generator for malicious actors, it transformed into a web of illegal activities. It can be found on the Play Store and allows you to access different onion links and explore the Tor network. Luckily, there are a few useful sites and search engines that can improve your dark web browsing experience. The dark web is a part of the internet that can usually only be accessed using a specialized browser. While it’s infamous for drug-slinging and other criminal activities, people also turn to the dark web for valuable anonymous activities like bypassing censorship, journalism, and whistle-blowing. The Dark Web is designed to provide anonymity, so tracking individual users is challenging.
Many users seek to understand how to access the dark web for reasons ranging from privacy and anonymity to accessing information that is not readily available on the regular web. However, it’s crucial to approach this area with caution, as it can host illegal activities and malicious content.
Prerequisites for Accessing the Dark Web
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. While such stories can cast the dark web in a negative light, it’s worth noting that there are numerous legal and beneficial activities accessible through it. I advise sticking to well-known, reliable sites and taking extra precautions to ensure your security. The dark web is the home of many criminal activities — from the use of stolen or fake documents to drug and weapon dealing.
It is nearly impossible to trace the activity on onion sites, including the identities of people who use them. It’s a hidden collective of sites that you could only access through a special browser. Since all activity on the dark web is anonymous by default, it is definitely where the murkiest transactions on the internet take place. A study by researchers at King’s College London that examined the contents of over 2,700 darknet sites found that approximately 60% of them hosted illicit content.
You may accidentally reveal personal information or click on the wrong link and infect your computer with malware. We highly recommend a top VPN like NordVPN if you are considering accessing the dark web. NordVPN offers a number of dark web-specific features, such as Onion over VPN servers and robust AES 256-bit encryption.
Before exploring the dark web, you should prepare adequately. Here’s what you need:
Once you have those, there are several ways to tunnel through the dark web. DefCon, ProPublica, the CIA, various libraries, and open-source software providers also feature in this area of the internet. A VPN and Tor should be used together and it is advisable to connect via a VPN to Tor, rather than vice versa, for the best protection possible. You could consider the clear or surface web the “top” and visible layer of the internet, easily accessible using a browser such as Safari, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. In a world of bulk data collection, surveillance, and personalized ad tracking, it’s up to us to take control of our personal privacy.
The best way to think of the shape of the internet is an iceberg — what you see on the surface is only a small fraction of the actual web. Below the surface of the water lies the deep web, with the Dark Web occupying a chunk of this gargantuan mass of data. NordVPN is particularly important as it encrypts your data and ensures malicious elements on the dark web can’t cause harm to you. You can try all of NordVPN’s features by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you do anything illegal on the dark web, you can still be prosecuted.
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): This enhances your privacy and adds an extra layer of security.
- Tor Browser: The most popular method to access dark web sites. It anonymizes your web traffic.
- Secure Operating System: Consider using a live operating system like Tails that runs from a USB stick and leaves no trace on your computer.
(The installation instructions that follow are for the macOS platform, I’ll mention where it’s different for Windows.) Simply double-click the downloaded file in your download folder. So, once you’ve activated your VPN and your privacy is secured, it’s time to visit Tor’s official download page. Make sure that when you download the Tor file, it’s from their official website. The majority of the users on the dark web use the Tor (The Onion Router) browser. A vast number of URLs have domain endings such as “.onion”, which means that the URLs are only accessible by Tor users. The “Hidden Wiki” (which can be accessed in a normal browser) offers a large collection of dark web links, but be careful, as many of those links are to dangerous websites.
Steps on How to Access the Dark Web
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to access the dark web:
- Install a VPN: Choose a reputable VPN service and install it on your device. This will help mask your IP address.
- Download Tor Browser: Visit the official Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/) and download the Tor browser. Ensure you get it from a reliable source to avoid malware.
- Configure Security Settings: Adjust the security settings within the Tor browser to the highest level for better protection.
- Connect to the Tor Network: Launch the Tor browser, and it will automatically connect to the Tor network.
- Navigating Dark Web Sites: Use .onion links to access dark web sites. Be cautious with the sites you visit.
Tips for Safe Browsing
While on the dark web, keeping safe should be your top priority. Follow these tips:
- Because Tor Browser has software vulnerabilities, the same as every other browser.
- In this section, I will outline some of the most significant dark web security risks and provide tips on how to minimize them.
- Understanding the complexities of the Dark Web allows users to navigate its hidden corners responsibly.
- Although content on the dark web is not as ‘indexed’ compared to the one on the clear web, you can still use search engines to find stuff.
- Fortunately, in Hidden Wiki, every website is followed by a brief description so that the user knows what to expect.
- Never share personal information.
- Be cautious of files you download; they may contain malware.
- Avoid engaging in illegal activities.
- Regularly update your software and security settings.
Common FAQs About Accessing the Dark Web
1. Is it illegal to access the dark web?
Accessing the dark web is not illegal. However, engaging in illegal activities on the dark web is against the law.
2. Can I be traced on the dark web?
While the dark web offers anonymity, it’s not foolproof. Using a VPN and the Tor browser greatly reduces the chance of being traced, but risk still exists.
3. What are .onion sites?
.onion sites are special domains that can only be accessed through the Tor browser and are often hosted on the dark web.
4. What should I do if I encounter illegal content?
If you come across illegal content, it’s advisable to exit the site immediately and consider reporting it to authorities.
Conclusion
Understanding how to access the dark web involves knowing the necessary tools and safety measures to protect your privacy. While it can be a resource for anonymity and information, always remember that it carries significant risks. Stay cautious, informed, and ethical while browsing.
