But it can be a little difficult to access information because it doesn’t use an index to locate the desired information. Make sure that you install security software to make sure your computer and personal information are ketp safe. Much of the dark web isn’t shady, illegal, or used for criminal purposes. Dark web browsing is often motivated simply by keeping your real identity secure and your online activity private. A Hidden Service (also known as an ‘onion service’) is one where not only the user, but also the website itself, have their anonymity protected by Tor. This means that the IP address of the site cannot be identified, meaning that information about its host, location or content is hidden.
The name Dark Web has ominous undertones and sounds like something we should seek to avoid. Granted, criminals do gravitate towards darknet sites in order to perform unlawful activities. If you do ever find yourself on a questionable website, utilizing a good security app, such as Clario, with a built-in VPN and other useful tools is vital.
What Percentage Of The Internet Is Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It has gained a reputation for being a haven for illegal activities, but it also has legitimate uses. This guide will walk you through the steps of accessing the dark web safely and anonymously.
Surface web, also known as visible web, refers to the indexable parts of the internet. In other words, content in this portion of the World Wide Web is readily accessible and searchable with search engines. The surface web accounts for roughly 5% of information on the internet. On the software end, the use of Tor and other anonymized browsers is not strictly illegal.
What You’ll Need
Regular browsers like Firefox and Chrome can’t access this concealed portion of the internet, because they are not designed to find websites listed using The Onion Router hidden service protocol. Knowing how to access the dark web can be of significant benefit if you are trying to bypass censorship and gain access to information that has been blocked by the government. And it can allow you to exchange information securely if you are a whistleblower websites on the dark web who wants to remain anonymous. While the Super Onion offers a good balance between usability and safety, solutions with better anonymity, privacy, and/or security do exist. It’s worth noting that Whonix does not provide better safety than our onion for dark web browsing. In this blog and video a Cyberint cybersecurity expert explains how the ‘dark web’ operates and shows real live examples of actors and their criminal activity.
So it is better to use the tor-over-VPN technique to avoid future problems. They are not backed by strong encryption techniques and they can expose you. The dark web is full of cyber security threats, and you could be a sufferer if you take risks.
The TOR Network
Sadly, because of its secrecy, the Dark Web is a hot spot for things such as child pornography. According to the FBI, many websites have hundreds of thousands if not millions of photos of children, and these sites are accessed by hundreds of thousands of individuals daily. Sometimes we like to laugh at the secret nature of the Dark Web, but things like this remind us that it’s also a safe haven and breeding ground for some truly sick individuals. However, what is interesting about these sites is that they operate much like any other eCommerce store. There are menus, catalogs, and reviews, which are meant to be a self-policing mechanism that ensures people are buying the products they want. But, unsurprisingly, these reviews are notoriously unreliable, largely because they are coming from anonymous users.
To access the dark web, you’ll need a few things:
What is the onion router?
The onion router is a peer-to-peer (P2P) overlay network that enables users to browse the internet anonymously. Onion routing uses multiple layers of encryption to conceal both the source and destination of information sent over the network. It is designed so no one can monitor or censor online communication.
- A VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) will encrypt your internet connection and mask your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
- The Tor Browser: The Tor browser is a special browser that allows you to access the dark web. It routes your internet connection through several different servers, making it nearly impossible to trace your online activity.
Setting Up Your VPN
IPVanish VPN Beta Release For Mac – Try It Today!
Before you download the Tor browser, you should set up a VPN. There are many VPN providers to choose from, but some of the most popular ones include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost. Once you’ve chosen a provider, follow these steps:
- Download the VPN software from the provider’s website.
- Install the software on your computer.
- Launch the software and log in with your credentials.
- Choose a server location and connect to the VPN.
Downloading and Installing the Tor Browser
Once you have your VPN set up, you can download the Tor browser. Here’s how:
#1 Install A VPN
- Go to the Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/download/).
- Click on the “Download Tor” button.
- Choose the version of the Tor browser that is appropriate for your operating system.
- Install the Tor browser on your computer.
Accessing the Dark Web
Now that you have the Tor browser installed, you can access the dark web. Here’s how:
- Launch the Tor browser.
- Enter a .onion URL in the address bar.
- Press Enter.
- You are now on the dark web.
Staying Safe on the Dark Web
- In this climate of data gathering and privacy concerns, the Tor browser has become the subject of discussion and notoriety.
- Let’s take a closer look at the best VPNs you can use to safely access the dark web.
- Because this offering is so extensive and affordable, the Dark Web is the ideal breeding ground for criminals.
- Each node peels away another layer of encryption, like peeling an onion before finally being sent to its final destination.
The dark web can be a dangerous place, so it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself. Here are some tips:
- Don’t use your real name or personal information.
- Don’t download any files or click on any links unless you are sure they are safe.
- Use a VPN and the Tor browser for all of your dark web activities.
- Be cautious of scams and phishing attempts.
By following these steps, you can access the dark web safely and anonymously. Remember to always be cautious and protect yourself online.
Am I on the dark web?
How Do You Know if Your Information Is on the Dark Web? If your data is available on the dark web, one of the easiest ways to find out is to check the “Have I Been Pwned” (HIBP) website. It's a free service, and all you have to do is conduct a search using your email address or phone number.
