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Search Engines & Directories
Step 1: Install Tor Browser
When making purchases on the dark web, protect yourself by using anonymized account information and cryptocurrency whenever possible. The dark web was created not long after the dark web websites app first message was sent in 1969 over the original internet, ARPANET. Covert networks — or darknets — emerged quickly to provide users with private networks to communicate on.
What Is Your Digital Identity? (And How To Keep It Safe)
Dark web refers to websites on darknets and account for less than 1% of the information available on the internet. Although the dark web has become infamous for stories of large-scale illegal activity, there are various legitimate uses, including secure communications, whistleblowing, and breaking through censorship. They target the illicit sale of personal data, malware and cybercrime tool development and sales, as well as ‘cybercrime-as-a-service’.
How Do I Get to 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 how to access darkweb uses, such as providing a platform for free speech and whistleblowing. If you are curious about the Dark Web and want to explore it, here is a step-by-step guide on how to access it.
Use a Dark Web Browser
The first step to accessing the Dark Web is to use a specialized browser that can handle the Tor network. The Tor network is a system of volunteer-operated servers that allows users to browse the internet anonymously. The most popular Dark Web browser is the Tor Browser, which is a modified version of Firefox that is pre-configured to use the Tor network.
Instead of connecting you directly, the Tor browser takes you on at least three random detours called relays. Your request could go from New York to South Africa, from South Africa to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong to New Jersey. For the open web, just type your name into Google and see what comes up. Whether this is a Linkedin profile, Facebook, social media, or any community involvement, chances are that you already have some online presence. While Tor is a powerful tool for defending your privacy, it isn’t the only one. It’s not that Tor is evil; it’s just that the same tools that protect political dissidents are pretty good at protecting criminals too.
Tor will protect your location by running your internet traffic through several “Tor Relays” (virtual private networks) so Tor runs much slower than a regular browser. However, some sites are effectively “hidden”, in that they have not been indexed by a search engine and can only be accessed if you know the address of the site. Special markets also operate within the dark web called “darknet markets”, which mainly sell illegal products like drugs and firearms, paid for in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. The term “dark web” essentially describes encrypted content that is unindexed by search engines.
The browser also has built-in protection for many kinds of tracking and de-anonymization features. Even with Tor, third parties can track your activities and uncover your identity and location. It would help to use a VPN alongside the Tor browser to add an extra layer of security and anonymity. But to see your personal account details or to make a purchase, you need to log in.
Download and Install the Tor Browser
To download the Tor Browser, go to the official Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/download/) and select the version that matches your operating system. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the instructions to install the Tor Browser.
Launch the Tor Browser
After installing the Tor Browser, launch it and wait for it to connect to the Tor network. This may take a few minutes, depending on your internet connection. Once connected, you can start browsing the Dark Web.
Find Dark Web Sites
The Dark Web uses a different naming system than the regular web, and Dark Web sites are not indexed by search engines. To find Dark Web sites, dark web you will need to use special directories or forums that list onion links. Some popular directories include the Hidden Wiki and Onion Links.
Access a Directory
- Content that is purposefully kept hidden on the internet is known as the dark web or dark net.
- It randomly chooses an introduction point from the list in the service descriptor.
- To access the dark web, you’ll have to download and install the free Tor browser.
- (You can also use it to browse the surface and deep web.) It’s perfectly legal, and the U.S. government is a major funder for the Tor Project, which creates the browser.
To access a directory, simply type the onion link into the Tor Browser’s address bar and press enter. The directory will then load, and you can browse the list of sites.
Use Caution
It is important to note that the Dark Web can be a dangerous place, and you should exercise caution when browsing it. Be wary of any sites that ask for personal information or that seem suspicious. Also, be aware that some Dark Web sites may host illegal content, and accessing them could get you into legal trouble.
FAQs
What is 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, such as providing a platform for free speech and whistleblowing.
Is it illegal to access the Dark Web?
No, it is not illegal to access the Dark Web. However, some Dark Web sites may host illegal content, and accessing them could get you into legal trouble.
What do I need to access the Dark Web?
To access the Dark Web, you need a specialized browser that can handle the Tor network, such as the Tor Browser. You also need to find Dark Web sites by using special directories or forums that list onion links.
Is the Dark Web dangerous?
Yes, the Dark Web can be a dangerous place, and you should exercise caution when browsing it. Be wary of any sites that ask for personal information dark web vs deep web or that seem suspicious. Also, be aware that some Dark Web sites may host illegal content, and accessing them could get you into legal trouble.
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.
What is the difference between the dark web and the deep web?
Access: Despite not being indexed by search engines, the Deep Web is accessible via traditional web browsers — i.e. you can access a Gmail page using Firefox, Chrome, etc. The Dark Web, on the other hand, is only accessible via special browsers that use Tor to protect anonymity.
What if my Gmail account was found on the dark web?
If your Gmail address is found on the dark web, you can set up 2-factor authentication to protect your account. This adds another layer of security when you sign in to your devices. On your device, open your Google Account. In the navigation panel, select Security.
