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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 explore the dark web websites and what makes them different from the surface web.
What are Dark Web Websites?
External Links
Dark web websites, also known as “onion sites,” are websites that can only be accessed through the Tor network. The Tor network is a decentralized network of servers that enables anonymous communication. Dark web websites have a .onion extension, and they cannot be accessed through traditional web browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox.
What happens if you use Tor without VPN?
Is it safe to use Tor without a VPN? While using a VPN and Tor together can help prevent any of the nodes from seeing your IP address, Tor is still extremely secure on its own, making it very difficult for anyone to identify a specific Tor user.
This medium can be used to exhibit contents which are otherwise legally barred. Constitutional issues and local problems have been raised here in the dark markets of web. Several safe places as well as local regulations make it easier for hackers to spend their days in dark web.
Other Tips For Staying Safe On The Dark Web
Dark web websites are often used for illegal activities such as buying and selling drugs, weapons, and stolen data. However, there are also legitimate uses for the dark web, such as whistleblowing, political dissent, and secure communication.
How to Access Dark Web Websites
To access dark web websites, you need to use the Tor browser. The Tor browser is a free and open-source web browser that routes your internet traffic through a series of servers, making it difficult to trace your online activity. To download the Tor browser, visit the official Tor Project website.
Popular And Interesting Dark Web Websites (with Onion Links)
Once you have downloaded and installed the Tor browser, you can access dark web websites by typing their .onion URL into the address bar. It is important to note that not all .onion websites are safe, and some may contain malware or attempt to steal your personal information.
Popular Dark Web Websites
Everything else, from academic journals to private databases and more illicit content, is out of reach. This deep web also includes the portion that we know as the dark web. Aside from being isolated from the everyday internet, most of the Tor network isn’t indexed, rendering it invisible to search engines. There are numerous directories that host .onion links and websites, but you should always exercise caution. The dark web, or the darknet, is a small subset of the deep web. It’s a hidden collective of sites that you could only access through a special browser.
The Tor Browser is one of the most secure and private ways to access the internet, including the dark web, with or without a VPN. However, connecting to a VPN first, then Tor, gets you all the privacy protection of the Tor network, plus added protection that prevents any Tor node from seeing your home IP address. You will also not have to worry about being flagged by your home network for using Tor, as all that network will see is encrypted traffic to your VPN server. Using a VPN with Tor also provides access to the Tor network even where it is blocked, such as corporate and school networks, or certain countries.
- However, identities are still not completely anonymous after accessing the TOR browser.
- TOR’s relaying function provides a tunnel through which information can pass safely.
- If you connect to your VPN and fire up Tor Browser, you’re using Tor over VPN, this is by far the most common method.
- SecureDrop is a place where whistleblowers and journalists meet.
There are many dark web websites, and new ones are created every day. Here are some of the most popular dark web websites:
- The Hidden Wiki: The Hidden Wiki is a directory of dark web websites. It is a good starting point for exploring the dark web.
- ProPublica: ProPublica is an investigative journalism organization that has a dark web version of its website. It is used for secure communication and whistleblowing.
- Dream Market: Dream Market is a dark web marketplace where you can buy and sell illegal goods such as drugs and weapons.
- Tor Mail: Tor Mail is an anonymous email service that can be accessed through the Tor network.
How do I access Tor browser?
You can download the Tor Browser for your desktop from the official download page. The link for the Android version will take you to a page with downloads for .apk files. On that same page, you'll find a link to the Google Play Store Tor entry.
Conclusion
Is Tor legal in the US?
Tor is legal in the US. You won't likely get in trouble just because you use the Tor browser. However, Tor is not a lawless domain, so you can't use this browser for illegal activities. If you use Tor for buying drugs or weapons, you are held responsible against the law.
The dark web websites are a part of the internet that is often misunderstood and associated with illegal activities. However, they also have legitimate uses, such as secure communication and whistleblowing. To access dark web websites, you need to use the Tor browser, and it is important to exercise caution when browsing the dark web.
How do I access .onion sites?
- Download Tor Browser from here.
- Install Tor Browser on your computer by opening the file you downloaded and following the prompts.
- Open Tor Browser.
- Click “Connect” on the Tor startup page.
- Wait for a connection to be established.
- Surf the dark web!