How to Get Into the Dark Web: A Comprehensive Guide

• The Dark Web isn’t accessible by Google and other search engines.
• Bart is Senior Product Marketing Manager of Threat Intelligence at CrowdStrike and holds +20 years of experience in threat monitoring, detection and intelligence.
• Law enforcement officials are getting better at finding and prosecuting owners of sites that sell illicit goods and services.

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. If you are interested in accessing the dark web, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to do it safely and securely.

What Are Onion Sites?

What You’ll Need

To access the dark web, you’ll need the following:

Don’t Stick Your Nose Where It Doesn’t Belong

• A VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN will help you hide your IP address and encrypt your internet connection, making it harder for anyone to track your online activity.
• The Tor browser: The Tor browser is a free, open-source software that enables anonymous communication. It routes your internet traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers, making it difficult to trace your online activity.
• Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies: Many dark web marketplaces only accept cryptocurrencies as payment, so you’ll need to have some in your digital wallet.

Tor2Web is a service that allows users access to Onion services from a regular browser. There are also number of legitimate reasons users may want to access the Dark Web. The web’s substratum is populated by mainstream web companies like Facebook, political activists, and journalists who need to communicate and share sensitive information. The United Nations, FBI, and CIA use the encrypted internet to monitor terror groups like Daesh and keep tabs on criminal profiteers.

Hacking Tools And Services

With the tracking technologies of standard browsers like Chrome, you might put yourself at risk, so the best option you have is to use Tor. Tor is the best onion browser because it hides your network traffic with Tor routing by constantly changes your IP, and leaves no traces to reveal your identity. These provide point-to-point links, friend-to-friend connections. It is not quite uncommon to hear people use the terms ‘darknet’ and ‘deep web’ interchangeably, but that is very inaccurate. There is a slight difference between them, that might take you from scrolling down interesting hidden content – to conducting an illicit activity, and sometimes even gamble with your fate.

Step-by-Step Guide

Safety Settings For The Tor Browser

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to access the dark web using the Tor browser:

1. Download and install the Tor browser from the official website. Make sure you download it from a trusted source to avoid any malware or viruses.

2. Connect to a VPN. This will help you hide your IP address and encrypt your internet connection.

3. Launch the Tor browser. You’ll notice that it looks and functions like a regular web browser, but it has a .onion extension instead of .com or .org.

That said, it’s worth noting that the Tor browser is not the same as a VPN. It connects you to a network of servers rather than a particular server. This makes it slower than a VPN and also very difficult to try and get a new IP address in a specific country, which is easy to do with a VPN. Because the Tor network is run by volunteers, there’s also little in the way of accountability. Bad actors can compromise nodes, with exit nodes being of particular concern. While connected through NordVPN, your internet traffic is protected using AES 256-bit encryption.

4. Type in the URL of the dark web site you want to visit. Dark web sites have a .onion extension, and they are not indexed by search engines, so you’ll need to know the exact URL to access them.

5. Once you’ve accessed the dark web site, be cautious about the information you share and the links you click. The dark web is notorious for scams, phishing, and malware.

Tips for Staying Safe on the Dark Web

Here are some tips to help you stay safe on the dark web:

• Use a trusted VPN: Make sure you use a reputable VPN service that has a strict no-logging policy. This will ensure that your online activity is not tracked or monitored.
• Don’t share personal information: Avoid sharing any personal information, such as your name, address, or phone number, on the dark web. This will help protect your identity and prevent identity theft.

Tor browser is named after “The Onion Router” protocol that powers the dark web. As mentioned, Tor servers are completely concealed from regular internet browsers. However, by connecting to them using the Tor browser you can easily access them in a completely private and anonymous manner. Nevertheless, it is crucial to exercise caution and recognize that the hidden nature of the Dark Web can make it a breeding ground for malicious activities and individuals.

• Use a separate computer or device: Consider using a separate computer or device for accessing the dark web. This will help prevent any malware or viruses from infecting your main device.
• Be cautious about downloading files: Be wary of downloading any files or software from the dark web. They may contain malware or viruses that can harm your device or steal your personal information.

Note that the process can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on your machine. My recommendation is Universal USB Installer, which is very intuitive. Even completing a transaction is no guarantee that the goods will arrive.

Accessing the dark web can be a fascinating and eye-opening experience, but it’s important to do so safely and securely. By following the steps outlined in this guide and using common sense, you can explore the dark web without putting yourself at risk.