SIM swapping is when someone temporarily takes over your phone line using the same SIM swapping procedure that you’d use to activate a new phone. Criminals do this by tricking or paying off mobile phone carriers’ employees. They then can have your text message MFA codes sent to a phone they control so they can access your accounts. If you use the same password—or similar password variations—for multiple accounts, you may want to change the other accounts’ passwords as well. Use a strong password that can’t be easily guessed or hacked, or consider using a password manager to create complex passwords for you.
What Is The Dark Web And How Do You Access It?
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 hosts legitimate content and communities. If you are curious about how to access the dark web, here is a guide to help you get started.
- That is why dark web monitoring solutions are now a necessity for companies, governments, and even individuals who want to protect themselves from data theft.
- Additionally, Tor exit nodes are often blocked by websites that don’t trust them, and Tor over VPN can’t do anything about that, either.
- Tor protects your privacy by passing your messages through three nodes in the worldwide Tor network.
- Deep web content — which isn’t picked up by search engines, either — includes pages that typically require additional credentials to access.
- While accessing the dark web itself is not illegal, using it to engage in illegal activities is a crime, and law enforcement agencies are increasingly cracking down on such activities.
What You Need to Access the Dark Web
To access the dark web, you will need a few things:
What Is The Tor Browser?
However, there are practical uses for its existence as well, and industry professionals can benefit from becoming familiar with the crucial information that may be lurking there. A reference to how Tor works; sending encrypted traffic through layers of relays around the globe as it hides content, the sender, and their location. Users need a special browser with added software to access the tor dark web in the first place. The dark web is a section of the internet that can only be accessed by using special software, such as Tor (The Onion Router). The dark web is the deepest part of the internet, a place where anonymity is king and business takes place outside of the public eye.
- A dark web browser: The most popular dark web browser is the Tor browser, which you can download for free. Tor stands for “The Onion Router” and it works by routing your internet connection through a series of volunteer-operated servers, which makes it difficult to trace your online activity.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN will encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address, which adds an extra layer of security and privacy. There are many VPN providers to choose from, both free and paid.
- Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency: Many dark web sites only accept cryptocurrency as payment, so you will need to set up a wallet and buy some bitcoin before you start exploring.
This is the readily visible part of the internet anyone can access with an internet connection and a normal web browser like Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome. Other terms for the surface web include the visible web, lightnet, or indexed web. The sharing of illegal pornography and discussion of illegal sex acts account for a significant portion of dark web traffic.
There is no reliable method of removing your sensitive data from the Dark Web. That’s why the defense is the best offense, so it’s worthwhile to be leveraging a service that monitors your personal data for you. It’s not wrong to assume that your personal information is on the Dark Web. If your personal details can be found on web search engines, then they’re most likely available on the Dark Web, too. As a hub for criminal activity, the Dark Web offers more than just “products” to anyone willing to buy and consume.
Risks Of Accessing The Deep Web And Dark Web
How to Find Dark Web Sites
Once you have set up your dark web browser and VPN, you can start searching for dark web sites. However, it is important to note that the dark web is not indexed by search engines like Google, so you will need to use a special directory or search engine to find what you are looking for.
One of the most popular directories is the Hidden Wiki, which is a collection of links to dark web sites. You can also use a dark web search engine like Torch or Ahmia. These search engines work similarly to regular search engines, but they only index dark web sites.
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.
When you are searching for dark web sites, be cautious and only visit sites that have a good reputation. There are many scams and phishing sites on the dark web, so it is important to protect yourself by doing your research and using common sense.
It then asks you to validate if certain usernames, email addresses, and other personally identifiable information is – or have been – yours. This Accuracy Check helps the service better understand your online fingerprints so it can track it to the farthest corners of the Web. And, yes, some of your data is most likely already in those illegitimate websites, forums, blogs, and data repositories.
What to Expect on the Dark Web
The dark web is a diverse and fascinating place, but it can also be dangerous and confusing. Here are a few things you can expect to find:
- Illegal goods and services: The dark web is often associated with the sale of illegal goods and services, such as drugs, weapons, and stolen data. While it is true that these things can be found on the dark web, it is important to remember that buying or selling them is illegal and can result in serious consequences.
- Anonymous communication: The dark web is often used for anonymous communication, such as whistleblowing or journalism. There are many sites and services that allow you to communicate anonymously, without revealing your identity.
- Communities and forums: The dark web is home to many communities and forums, where people can discuss topics that are taboo or controversial in the mainstream internet. These communities can be a great source of information and support, but they can also be a breeding ground for extremist views and hate speech.
In conclusion, the dark web is a complex and mysterious part of the internet that can be both fascinating and dangerous. If you are curious about how to find the dark web, make sure you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and stay safe. Remember that the dark web is not a place for illegal activities, and that you should always use your common sense and good judgement when exploring.
What does it mean when you get a dark web alert?
If you receive a dark web alert, fortunately, it doesn't mean that someone has already used your data. It just means that it has been found on the dark web, which means that it can be obtained from there. However, if you receive an alert, it still means that you have been a victim of data theft.