While it is possible to use iPhone’s Lockdown Mode for extra security while browsing the dark web, we don’t necessarily recommend this. It will impact your device’s performance and your VPN and other Tor apps may not function properly with Lockdown Mode enabled. This service has servers in nearly 100 countries and offers great speeds, making it one of the top choices for going on the dark web. Aside from that, it has a no-logging policy audited by Deloitte, 256-bit encryption, an ad blocker, and even IP/DNS leak protection.
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. So, how do people access the dark web?
Using a Dark Web Browser
How To Safely Access The Dark Web
The most common way to access the dark web is by using a specialized web browser, such as Tor or I2P. These browsers allow users to browse the web anonymously and access websites that are not indexed by search engines. Tor is the most popular dark web browser and can be downloaded for free from the Tor Project website.
Tor Browser
Is It Illegal To Access The Dark Web?
If you use the Tor network regularly, you will want a way to share stuff with your dark web friends. Aside from revealing just how widely unused Tor is (data suggests barely more than 1.5 million daily users), you can also see the scope of the network. Riseup provides email and chat services that keep no record of your activity. It is also protected from malicious attacks and has no intention of cooperating with any government, unlike Google.
How many passwords are on the dark web?
The study finds there are more than 24 billion usernames and password combinations in circulation in cybercriminal marketplaces, many on the dark web — the equivalent of nearly four for every person on the planet.
Tor (The Onion Router) is a free and open-source software that enables anonymous communication. It works by routing internet traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers, called nodes, which are distributed around the world. This makes it difficult for anyone to trace the origin of the traffic, providing users with a high level of anonymity.
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To use Tor, you need to download and install the Tor Browser. This is a modified version of the Firefox web browser that is pre-configured to use the Tor network. Once installed, you can use the Tor Browser to access the dark web by visiting websites with the .onion suffix.
On the Darknet no one knows your identity and no one knows who is behind any website. The deep web is presumably 100 times larger than what is known as the “surface web” which is what you and I surf through search engines like Google, Yahoo! and Bing. Most of the deep web isn’t evil in any way, it’s just content blocked from search engines for security reasons. The TOR project also develops Tails, a live, pre-configured Linux distribution that will run on almost any computer. Popularized by Edward Snowden, Tails runs as a discrete operating system on USB flash drives. Tails provides additional layers of security so that Dark Web browsing is not tied directly to a user’s machine.
I2P Browser
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. The Tor browser looks like any other, except that there’s a whole lot happening that you don’t see. Instead of your connection request bouncing from its origin right to its destination, Tor sends your request on a much more roundabout route.
I2P (Invisible Internet Project) is another dark web browser that provides anonymous communication. It works by creating a network of tunnels that are used to route internet traffic. These tunnels are encrypted and distributed randomly, making it difficult for anyone to trace the origin of the traffic.
Browsing the dark web puts you at risk of cyberattacks such as DDoS attacks, botnets, and other malware or viruses. By simply entering the wrong URL or accidentally downloading a malicious file, you could install infectious viruses or malware. This can have a detrimental impact on your device or, even worse, expose your personal information. But to see your personal account details or to make a purchase, you need to log in.
To use I2P, you need to download and install the I2P software. This includes a web browser, called I2P-Bote, that you can use to access the dark web. I2P-Bote is based on the Firefox web browser and is pre-configured to use the I2P network.
Using a VPN
“You could also build trust with members of these groups or forums, but that is usually something that law enforcement officials acting undercover do,” he says. To find out if your information is leaked on the Dark Web — you can rely on Aura’s identity theft protection service. Lots of criminal activity happens on the Dark Web because it offers the anonymity that enables hackers and scammers to go undetected — but only up to a certain point. As a hub for criminal activity, the Dark Web offers more than just “products” to anyone willing to buy and consume.
- Using Tor means your ISP won’t be able to see the sites you visit, but they will be able to see you accessed Tor.
- Combining a VPN with Tor gives your messages an additional layer of encryption along with the increased privacy of hiding your actual IP address.
- Your Wi-Fi network is another handy access point that hackers use to infiltrate your computers, steal your identity, and grab your personal details.
- You may be able to search such pages but you do so using their own internal search function, not a search engine like Bing or Yahoo.
- Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection scans the Dark Web to find if your personal information was exposed.
Another way to access the dark web is by using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts all internet traffic and routes it through a remote server, making it difficult for anyone to trace the origin of the traffic. This provides users with a high level of anonymity and allows them to access the dark web from a standard web browser.
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.
There are many VPN providers to choose from, but it is important to choose a reputable one that does not keep logs of user activity. Some popular VPN providers include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.
Using a Proxy
A proxy server is another way to access the dark web. A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your computer and the internet, allowing you to access websites anonymously. There are many free and paid proxy servers available, but it is important to choose a reputable one that does not keep logs of user activity.
Using Tails
Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) is a security-focused Linux distribution that can be used to access the dark web. It is designed to be run from a USB stick or DVD and leaves no trace of user activity on the host computer. Tails routes all internet traffic through the Tor network, providing users with a high level of anonymity.
What to avoid on Tor?
- Avoid sharing your personal data. Once you enter your Facebook, Google, or any other account, you are not anonymous anymore.
- Turn on the safest mode.
- Visit only HTTPS websites.
- Don't click on suspicious links.
- Update your antivirus software.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN).
Conclusion
Accessing the dark web can be done in several ways, including using a dark web browser, such as Tor or I2P, using a VPN, using a proxy, or using Tails. It is important to note that the dark web can be dangerous and is often associated with illegal activities. Therefore, it is important to take precautions and use a reputable service when accessing the dark web.
How do you find out if you are on the dark web?
- Run a free Dark Web scan.
- Sign up for 24/7 Dark Web monitoring.
- Check recent data breach notifications.
- Look for warning signs that your device has been hacked.
- Spot the red flags of identity theft.
