The dark web is a mysterious and often misunderstood part of the internet. It’s a hidden network of websites that can’t be accessed through traditional search engines like Google or Bing. But despite its reputation as a haven for criminal activity, the dark web also hosts a wealth of information and resources that are unavailable elsewhere on the internet.
Words Of Caution When Using Dark Web Sites
There’s also an International category, where you can find cases from tons of other countries like Austria, Romania, and Portugal. OnionName lets you generate an .onion domain name that starts with a specific keyword — like onionamev33r7w4zckyttobq3vrt725iuyr6xessihxifhxrhupixqad.onion/, which is OnionName’s dark web link. The keyword in that example is “onioname,” which is right at the start of the .onion link. With a readable site name like that, people will know what to expect when they click on the link.
Can everyone use Tor?
Short for the Onion Routing project, the system uses a series of layered nodes to hide IP addresses, online data, and browsing history. Originally developed by the U.S. government, critics consider Tor to be dangerous in the hands of some people, who may use the Tor network for illegal or unethical purposes.
What is the Dark Web?
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The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines. It can only be accessed using special software, such as the Tor browser. The Tor network allows users to browse the web anonymously, which makes it a popular choice for people who want to keep their online activity private. However, this anonymity also makes the dark web a breeding ground for illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and hacking.
How to Access the Dark Web
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Accessing the dark web requires the use of a special browser, such as Tor. Here’s how to get started:
- Federal agencies often track anonymous chat participants to glean clues for investigations or piece together a suspect’s identity.
- Dark web monitoring refers to the process of searching for and tracking down specific information found on the dark web.
- Each node peels away another layer of encryption, like peeling an onion before finally being sent to its final destination.
- If it sounds like too much work, then it’s best to sign up for a fraud alert.
- Download and install the Tor browser. You can find it at https://www.torproject.org/download/
- Launch the Tor browser and wait for it to connect to the Tor network.
- Once connected, you can browse the dark web just like you would the regular web.
Nathan is an internationally trained journalist with a special interest in the prevention of cybercrime. For VPNOverview he conducts research in cybersecurity, internet censorship, and online privacy. He contributed to developing our rigorous VPN testing and reviewing procedures. The Tor browser is free and legal to use in most parts of the world. However, some countries like China, Russia, and Belarus have banned it.
Just note that although you’ll be anonymous, you won’t have the speed or convenience of a direct connection, and some sites might block you outright. Many dark websites are perfectly legal and safe to use and, in many cases, are better for your privacy than clear websites. For built-in Tor over VPN functionality, NordVPN operates specialized servers that automatically route you through the Tor network. You don’t even need to use Tor Browser, but keep in mind other browsers can still pass identifying information through the network. Alternatively, there’s IPVanish who claim to be the world’s number one VPN for Tor and comes highly recommended, you can save 60% on the annual plan here.
The app touts itself as a robust online tool for privacy and freedom. Software firm Hyperion Gray put together a map showing all 6,608 dark web sites crawled during January 2018. Each screenshot is a site, and the content ranges from the nefarious to the noble. Also, you can use the TOR browser for the clear web sites just to increase your privacy protection. For Chromebook users — unfortunately, there isn’t an official Tor app available for ChromeOS at this time. While the dark web promises privacy to its users, it can also be used to violate the privacy of others.
FAQs
How much of the internet is the dark web?
The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden, requiring a specific browser—Tor—to access, as explained below. No one really knows the size of the dark web, but most estimates put it at around 5% of the total internet.
- Is it legal to access the dark web? Yes, it’s legal to access the dark web. However, many of the activities that take place on the dark web are illegal.
- Do I need to use a VPN with Tor? While using a VPN with Tor can provide an extra layer of anonymity, it’s not necessary. However, it’s important to note that using a VPN can slow down your connection speed.
- Can I get in trouble for accessing the dark web? It’s possible to get in trouble for accessing the dark web if you engage in illegal activities. However, simply accessing the dark web is not illegal.
Therefore, they provide onion.ly links so victims can access dark websites with regular browsers. Please refer to our article on LockBit 3.0 ransomware case study, where we determine how ransomware is distributed and what must be done to prevent it. The onion.ly domain is a proxy server domain address provided by Tor2Web. Tor2Web is a service that allows users access to Onion services from a regular browser. It contains pages that are intentionally hidden from search engines, all of which require you to use anonymity software, like the Tor Browser, to access them. However, the dark web can facilitate illegal acts, such as accessing illegal images or videos, money laundering, and selling illegal items like drugs, firearms, or stolen credentials.
Conclusion
The dark web can be a fascinating and informative place, but it’s important to approach it with caution. Always use a reputable VPN and avoid engaging in illegal activities. By following these guidelines, you can explore the dark web safely and responsibly.
Who created the dark web?
The dark web is known to have begun in 2000 with the release of Freenet, the thesis project of University of Edinburgh student Ian Clarke, who set out to create a "Distributed Decentralised Information Storage and Retrieval System." Clarke aimed to create a new way to anonymously communicate and share files online.
