How Do You Get On The Dark Web?

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. In this article, we will discuss how to access the dark web safely and securely.

What Is The Dark Web?

Today, this is no longer true–advanced encryption technologies have made the anonymization of web surfing a hassle-free affair for regular users. The Dark Web is used by cybercriminals to buy and sell illegal goods and services, coordinate attacks, distribute malware and phishing kits, and share other prebuilt exploits. Specifically, bad actors could use the Dark Web to buy and sell stolen employee credentials from a business. For most of us, the internet begins and ends with websites we can find on Google.

The dark web is a collection of websites that are not indexed by search engines and require special software to access. It is often used for illegal activities, such as buying and selling drugs, weapons, and stolen data. However, it also has legitimate uses, such as providing a platform for whistleblowers and journalists to communicate securely.

How Do You Access The Dark Web?

How To Access The Dark Web?

To access the dark web, you will need to use a special browser called The Onion Router (TOR). TOR is a free, open-source software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing your internet connection through a series of volunteer-operated servers, which makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.

• Instead, it passes user data through a randomized link of encrypted servers called nodes.
• Whistleblowers, journalists and political dissidents may use the dark web to share information that would otherwise be censored or suppressed.
• As such, the dark web has attracted many parties who would otherwise be endangered by revealing their identities online.
• As you are now familiar with the three different sections within the entire world wide web, let’s take a closer look at how you can access the dark web anonymously.
• It is part of any OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) investigation and live would be really hard without it for many digital forensics and OSINT investigators.

Step 1: Download and Install TOR

Always Use A Reliable VPN Like NordVPN

The first step is to download and install TOR on your computer. You can download it from the official TOR project website. Once you have downloaded the software, follow the installation instructions to install it on your computer.

Check out our full list of dark web sites worth visiting for more dark web links for Android, iPhones, and other devices. You could also use dark web search engines like Torch or DuckDuckGo to find interesting sites. While the Tor network is designed to be anonymous, it is run by volunteers. When you activate Onion Over VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a NordVPN server and then via the Tor network.

Step 2: Launch TOR Browser

Once you have installed TOR, launch the browser. It will look and feel like a standard web browser, but it will route your internet connection through the TOR network.

Download The Tor Browser

Step 3: Access The Dark Web

Journalists and activists also use the dark web to avoid being traced by autocratic governments or other actors that might want to harm them. You can report the theft of this information to the Federal Trade Commission on IdentityTheft.gov. You’ll then receive a personalized plan with the next steps you can take based on what was stolen. In addition, real-time website screenshots can be checked without direct access, as shown below. The developer, Versatile Apps, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. However, you should be aware that there are valid reasons to access this obscure internet section.

To access the dark web, you will need to use a special URL that ends in .onion. These URLs are not indexed by search engines, so you will need to know the exact address of the website you want to visit.

Is It Safe To Access The Dark Web?

Accessing the dark web can be risky, as it is often associated with illegal activities. However, if you take the necessary precautions, it is possible to access the dark web safely and securely.

• Use a reputable VPN service to encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address.
• Do not download any files or click on any links unless you are sure they are safe.
• Only visit websites that have a good reputation and are known to be safe.

For authorities, the dark web has been elusive but not invulnerable. The FBI’s 2013 crackdown on the Silk Road marketplace, an online narcotics bazaar, was a high-profile response to a large operation, the report noted. More recently, a collaboration of the FBI, DEA, ICE, and Homeland Security Investigations has shut down two major dark web markets, AlphaBay and Hansa, the RAND report noted. In January 2018, the Department of Justice created a joint enforcement team focused on dark web opioid sales. State and local agencies have also engaged in collaborative dark web enforcement initiatives, the report said. The dark web’s anonymity accommodates illegal activity and contributes to its reputation as being a haven for criminals.

• Do not share any personal information or engage in any illegal activities.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between the deep web and the dark web?

A: The deep web refers to all the parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines, while the dark web is a subset of the deep web that requires special software to access. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, while the deep web contains many legitimate websites that are not accessible through standard web browsers.

Q: Is it illegal to access the dark web?

A: No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, many of the activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, so it is important to take precautions to protect yourself.

Q: Can I get in trouble for accessing the dark web?

A: If you access the dark web for illegal activities, you could face criminal charges. However, simply accessing the dark web is not illegal, and you will not get in trouble for doing so as long as you do not engage in any illegal activities.

Q: How do I know if a website on the dark web is safe?

A: It can be difficult to determine if a website on the dark web is safe. However, you can take precautions by only visiting websites that have a good reputation and are known to be safe. You should also avoid downloading any files or clicking on any links unless you are sure they are safe.

Q: Can I use my regular web browser to access the dark web?

A: No, you cannot use your regular web browser to access the dark web. You will need to use a special browser called The Onion Router (TOR) to access the dark web.