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. If you’re interested in accessing the dark web, here’s how you can do it.
Use a Dark Web Browser
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The first step to accessing the dark web is to download and install a dark web browser. The most popular dark web browser is the Tor browser, which you can download for free from the Tor Project website. The Tor browser routes your internet connection through a series of volunteer-run servers, which makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
Dark web sites can track your location (using GPS or WiFi location tracking) and access other information easily when you’re using a mobile device. While NordVPN’s Onion Over VPN feature allows you to access the dark web on any browser (including Google Chrome), we recommend using a pro-privacy browser like DuckDuckGo. This is important to block trackers and protect your privacy from snooping third parties.
Method 1: Use A VPN & The Tor Browser
Configure the Tor Browser
Once you’ve installed the Tor browser, you’ll need to configure it to access the dark web. Here’s how:
- Open the Tor browser.
- Click on the “Onion” icon in the top left corner of the browser window.
- Select “New Identity” from the drop-down menu.
- Wait for the Tor browser to connect to the dark web.
The dark web is a hive for criminal activity due to its anonymous nature and the fact that it is extremely hard to track down anybody who accesses it. In fact, research performed at the University of Kent in 2015 revealed that 57% of the dark web hosts illicit material. What’s more, in addition to providing anonymity for surfing websites, Tor also allows website publishers to remain anonymous thanks to the strong encryption provided by the Onion Router system. Check out our what is Tor page for information about it and the steps you need to follow to install it. Sci-Hub is mostly useful for academics who know the PMID, DOI, or URLs of papers they want to access.
Access Dark Web Sites
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Once you’ve connected to the dark web using the Tor browser, you can start accessing dark web sites. Dark web sites have a .onion domain name, and they can be difficult to find because they’re not indexed by search engines. Here are some ways to find dark web sites:
- Based on Mozilla’s Firefox, this browser hides all that pinging about in the background.
- Top safety measures should be taken when accessing a potentially dangerous place like the dark web.
- Due to the anonymous nature of the dark web, it’s very difficult for law enforcement to find such perpetrators.
- Even more of a threat, hackers looking to make a lot of money and profit off people and companies around the world have found a way to do it — fast and at scale.
- Educate yourself about the legal compliances of your country to avoid breaching them while using the dark web.
- The most famous is DuckDuckGo, fondly known as the search engine that doesn’t track you and doesn’t store your personal information.
- Use a dark web directory, such as the Hidden Wiki.
- Follow links from other dark web sites.
- Use a dark web search engine, such as Ahmia.
Accessing the dark web is not inherently illegal in most countries, as it is simply a hidden part of the internet that can be accessed through the use of certain software or configurations. However, the dark web is known for hosting illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapon sales, hacking services, and child exploitation, among others. This technology was later released to the public, again to support secure, anonymous communication.
FAQs
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.
Is it illegal to access the dark web?
No, it’s not illegal to access the dark web. However, many activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, so it’s important to be cautious and to avoid engaging in any illegal activities.
Can I access the dark web on my phone?
Yes, you can access the dark web on your phone using a dark web browser, such as the Tor browser. However, it’s important to note that accessing the dark web on a mobile device can be more difficult than on a desktop computer, and it may not be as secure.
Is the dark web dangerous?
Yes, the dark web can be dangerous. There are many scams and frauds on the dark web, and it’s easy to accidentally stumble upon illegal content. It’s important to be cautious and to use a reputable dark web browser, such as the Tor browser.
Can I be tracked on the dark web?
No, it’s difficult to track someone on the dark web. The Tor browser routes your internet connection through a series of volunteer-run servers, which makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity. However, it’s still possible for someone to track your online activity if you’re not careful.
Is my password on the dark web?
Use HaveIBeenPwned.
HaveIBeenPwned has been around for many years and is a great tool you can use to find out if your passwords are being leaked on the dark web.