How to Get to the Dark Web: A Comprehensive Guide

PRIVACY ALERT: Websites You Visit Can Find Out Who You Are

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 hosts legitimate content and communities. In this article, we will guide you through the process of accessing the dark web safely and responsibly.

It’s useful for research, helping journalists shed light on injustice, communicating anonymously, and investigating criminal activity. Just remember to cover your camera and your speaker when you download these apps. The fact that you are using the Tor network is likely enough to pique their interest. The fact that you are using it to visit the Dark web probably makes you even more interesting. According to this old CNet article, the NSA has likely been tracking anyone who checks out Tor or any other privacy/anonymity tools since 2014 or earlier. A traffic analysis type attack could determine that you are using a VPN, but the contents of your messages would not be exposed.

What You Need to Access the Dark Web

To access the dark web, you will need the following:

Do I Have To Use A VPN?

• A darknet browser: The most popular darknet browser is the Tor browser, which is a modified version of Firefox. It can be downloaded for free from the official Tor Project website.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN will help protect your privacy and anonymity by encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address.
• Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency: Many dark web markets and services only accept cryptocurrency as payment.

How to Install and Configure the Tor Browser

How To Change Your Home Address On An IPhone

Once you have downloaded the Tor browser, follow these steps to install and configure it:

It includes your email inbox, company databases, member-only areas, and anything you won’t find through Google. 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.

1. Extract the downloaded file to a location of your choice.
2. Double-click on the “Start Tor Browser” icon to launch the browser.
3. A window will appear asking if you want to connect to the Tor network. Click “Connect”.
4. The Tor browser will now connect to the Tor network. This may take a few minutes.

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. The deep web, or second layer, is any website that does not appear as a search engine result when users browse content. There are many reasons why a search engine would not index a page—perhaps it is an old page with no identifiable keywords, or it is part of an organization’s members-only site. The deep web could also be used to house private information and information that needs to remain secret, such as legal or scientific documents, medical records, or competitor information. The world wide web is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is online.

5. Once connected, you can use the Tor browser just like any other web browser. However, keep in mind that the dark web can be dangerous, so only visit sites that you trust.

How to Use a VPN with the Tor Browser

Using a VPN with the Tor browser will provide an additional layer of security and anonymity. Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose a reputable VPN provider and sign up for an account.
2. Download and install the VPN software on your computer.
3. Connect to a VPN server in a location of your choice.
4. Launch the Tor browser and connect to the Tor network as described in the previous section.
5. Your internet connection will now be encrypted and routed through the Tor network and the VPN server, providing maximum privacy and anonymity.

• We like this provider because it offers special Onion Over VPN servers that allow you to go on the dark web instantly, as long as you have Tor installed.
• Released to the public in 2004, Tor later became a browser offering easier access to the dark web.
• Even more of a threat, hackers looking to make a lot of money and profit off people and companies around the world have found a way to do it — fast and at scale.
• The process costs a fee, but unlike other “tumbler” or “mixing” services, there is no risk that Wasabi or any of its users could scam you out of your coins.

How to Use Cryptocurrency on the Dark Web

To use cryptocurrency on the dark web, you will need to set up a digital wallet and purchase some coins. Here’s how:

1. Choose a reputable cryptocurrency exchange and sign up for an account.
2. Verify your identity as required by the exchange.
3. Purchase some coins using a credit card, bank transfer, or other payment method.
4. Transfer the coins to a digital wallet that supports the dark web.
5. You can now use the coins to make purchases on the dark web.

Conclusion

Accessing the dark web can be a fascinating and educational experience, but it is important to do so safely and responsibly. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can protect your privacy and anonymity while exploring the hidden corners of the internet.