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. In this article, we will guide you through the process of finding and accessing the dark web safely.
What is the Dark Web?
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The dark web is a collection of websites that are not indexed by search engines and cannot be accessed through standard web browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. These websites are hidden behind multiple layers of encryption, making them difficult to locate and access. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and child pornography. However, it also has legitimate uses, such as providing a platform for free speech and whistleblowing.
- Deep web pages can’t be accessed through a simple search, as search engines do not index them — it’s a layer of the internet only accessible to people with a specific link or login credentials.
- These steps are all the same if you want to access anything on the deep web.
- It is tremendously more vast than the surface web, with some experts estimating that search engines index less than 1% of online content.
- Website owners hide their sites to protect information not meant for public viewing, like email and banking accounts, private social media pages, and electronic health records.
- By doing this, they get access to whoever is visiting the sites — including you if you accidentally end up there.
How to Access the Dark Web
How To Protect Yourself Online
Accessing the dark web requires the use of a specialized web browser called Tor. Tor is a free, open-source software that allows users to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing internet traffic through a network of servers, making it difficult for anyone to track a user’s online activity. To access the dark web, you will need to download and install the Tor browser on your computer.
Most of the time, these dark web sites are for people who can’t get to the open web version of the site, usually because their countries have strict internet laws. The dark web is a complex place where a lot can go wrong when you don’t do proper research on how to access the dark web safely. It is full of scammers, malware, and phishing websites — and these are just a few of the dangers. The main risks of visiting the dark web can be found in the table below.
Step 1: Download and Install Tor
Although the data may be publicly available on social media or in business directories, it’s scraped and reposted. “But it still exposes a vast number of individuals to phishing scams, corporate fraud, and social engineering,” he says. According to the Privacy Affairs Dark Web Price Index, attackers can make a lot of money from stolen personal information on anything from credit cards to Netflix accounts. Currently, the going rate for stolen credit card information with a balance of up to $1,000 is only $70, while cards with a balance of up to $5,000 cost $110. “The index shows how cheap it is to get data on the dark web,” says Biswas.
To download Tor, go to the official Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/) and click on the “Download Tor” button. Choose the appropriate version for your operating system and follow the installation instructions. Once the installation is complete, launch the Tor browser.
What Is The Tor Browser?
Step 2: Connect to the Tor Network
Some countries and governments implement strict online censorship and block access to foreign news outlets. The BBC website is a prime example of a news source that isn’t accessible in certain oppressive countries. Some users use this website as a way around the government censorship that exists in some countries.
When you launch the Tor browser, it will automatically connect to the Tor network. This may take a few seconds, so be patient. Once connected, you will be able to access the dark web.
📱 How To Get On The Dark Web On An IPhone Or Android Phone?
Let’s SAFELY access some forum sites on the deep, and check out what topics are being discussed there. It is truly important for them to know if their brand name, products, employee/customer data, or confidential documents are being mentioned, even worse sold, in any of these Darknet content. That is why white hackers also surf these contents and try to keep companies up-to-date. To clarify the confusion, everything on the darknet is also part of the deep web, but everything on the deep web is not necessarily illegal, therefore these terms shouldn’t be used interchangeably. As you see – the selling point of the data detected on the Deep Web is in the darknet, more specifically, in the black markets.
Step 3: Navigate to Dark Web Websites
What is the darkest search engine?
- Torch. A portmanteau of Tor + search, the Torch search engine is the oldest search engine on the Tor network.
- DuckDuckGo. The DuckDuckGo dark web search engine is like Google for the dark web.
- The Hidden Wiki.
- Ahmia.
- Haystak.
- Not Evil.
- Candle.
- Dark Search.
To navigate to dark web websites, you will need to use their .onion URLs. These URLs are long strings of seemingly random characters and are only accessible through the Tor browser. You can find dark web websites by searching for them on popular dark web search engines, such as Ahmia (http://msydqstlz2kzerdg.onion/) or Grams (http://grams7enufi7jmdl.onion/).
Staying Safe on the Dark Web
Accessing the dark web can be risky, as it is home to a wide range of illegal activities. To stay safe, it is important to take a few precautions. First, never give out personal information, such as your name, address, or credit card details. Second, be wary of any websites that ask for this information. Third, use a virtual private network (VPN) to add an extra layer of security to your connection. Finally, remember that the dark web is not a place for casual browsing. It is a serious tool that should be used with caution.
Conclusion
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed through specialized software, such as the Tor browser. While it is often associated with illegal activities, it also has legitimate uses. To access the dark web safely, it is important to take a few precautions, such as using a VPN and never giving out personal information. By following these steps, you can explore the dark web with confidence and stay safe online.
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.
