The anonymity provided by the dark web does indeed make it ideal for people looking to engage in illicit activity. But the dark web isn’t a violent or criminal place in and of itself — it just depends on how you use it. It means that whenever you want to access the darknet, try to connect to a VPN first and then open Tor for visiting the dark sites. A VPN adds enhanced security, hiding your data and identity so that nobody can track you. Remember, there is a chance of getting phishing attacks on the dark web and you must never click on any suspicious links. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory funded a project called The Onion Router (TOR).
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The deep web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines, making it difficult to access. However, with the right tools and knowledge, it is possible to access this hidden part of the web. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to access the deep web.
What is the Deep Web?
The deep web is a part of the internet that is not accessible through traditional search engines such as Google or Bing. It is estimated that the deep web is 500 times larger than the surface web, making it a vast and largely unexplored part of the internet.
Steps To Access The Dark Web
To access the Dark Web effectively, a VPN compatible with Tor is your best bet. This will encrypt your connection, hiding your IP address and geo-location tags from view while passing through several exit nodes so your end destination cannot be tracked back to you. Simply accessing the dark web and using the Tor browser may already raise government suspicion.
What is the dark side of the deep web?
The Dark Web Is a Hidden Section of the Deep Web
There is a portion of the deep web known as the "dark web." The dark web is purposefully concealed, and it can only be accessed with sophisticated tools. Tor, which stands for The Onion Router, is the most well-known of them.
It consists of websites that use the “.onion” top-level domain instead of “.com”, “.net”, etc. You can’t access “.onion” sites through regular browsers like Chrome and Firefox. The surface web — or clean web — is the part of the internet you can access anytime using mainstream browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.). It includes any page that you can find with a simple Google search. However, your access is limited to the information that the website’s administrator permits you to see. The dark web hosts all kinds of illegal activities, many of which are the buying and selling of firearms, drugs, counterfeit money, fake passports, and stolen accounts.
How to Access the Deep Web
Navigating Through The Darknet / Dark Web
Accessing the deep web requires the use of special software and protocols. Here are the steps you need to follow to access the deep web:
- Download and Install a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) is a must-have tool for accessing the deep web. A VPN will encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
- Download and Install a Tor Browser: Tor is a free and open-source software that allows you to browse the deep web anonymously. Download the Tor browser from the official website and install it on your computer.
- Connect to the Tor Network: Launch the Tor browser and connect to the Tor network. This will route your internet connection through a series of servers, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
- Access the Deep Web: Once you are connected to the Tor network, you can start accessing the deep web. There are many deep web search engines that you can use to find websites and content on the deep web.
The surface web accounts for roughly 5% of information on the internet. The reputation of the dark web has often been linked to criminal intent or illegal content, and “trading” sites where users can purchase illicit goods or services. The Internet is sizable with millions of web pages, databases, and servers all run 24 hours a day. But the so-called “visible” Internet (aka surface web or open web) — sites that can be found using search engines like Google and Yahoo — is just the tip of the iceberg.
Method 1: Use A VPN & The Tor Browser
FAQs
Is it illegal to access the deep web? No, it is not illegal to access the deep web. However, some of the content on the deep web may be illegal, so it is important to exercise caution and use a VPN and Tor browser to protect your privacy.
Virtualization apps will dedicate a portion of a computer’s resources to simulating a separate device. The word “separate” is key here, as this isolation from your “real device” will protect the latter in case anything goes wrong. If you click on the wrong link, install something suspicious, or encounter any other danger, you can just close the virtual machine, and you’re done. There are tons of dark web commerce sites where you can buy legal or illegal goods. The most infamous example was “The Silk Road,” which has long been shut down. It is important to change these settings because websites often run scripts without notifying you.
Can I access the deep web on my phone? Yes, you can access the deep web on your phone using the Tor browser app. However, it is important to note that accessing the deep web on a mobile device can be more difficult and less secure than on a desktop computer.
- Your Netflix dashboard is another prime example of what you can find on a deep web site.
- If you plan to make a purchase on a dark net marketplace or dark web commerce sites, you’ll need to create a fake identity.
- I2P sends user’s traffic through about distributed computers, this way creates a vast number of paths through which your messages can be sent.
- The first step in accessing the Dark Web is to download and install the Tor browser.
What are the risks of accessing the deep web? Accessing the deep web can be risky, as some of the content on the deep web may be illegal or harmful. It is important to use a VPN and Tor browser to protect your privacy and avoid accessing any illegal or harmful content.
Conclusion
Accessing the deep web can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the steps outlined in this article and exercising caution, you can explore this hidden part of the internet and discover content that is not available on the surface web.
How do I download Tor browser?
- Navigate to the Tor Browser download page.
- Download the Windows .exe file.
- (Recommended) Verify the file's signature.
- When the download is complete, double click the .exe file. Complete the installation wizard process.