Their 2016 reporting on sexual abuse won the Pulitzer Prize that year. ProPublica is accessible on the “clearnet” — the regular internet you’re using right now. Accessing it via a Tor browser gives you a layer of anonymity and security and allows you to bypass country blocks.
The dark web can be a mysterious and intimidating place, but with the right knowledge and tools, it’s possible to access and explore this hidden corner of the internet. In this article, we’ll go over the steps you need to take to get on the dark web in 2024.
Protect Your Device With Antivirus
This is everything you need to know about exploring dark web links in 2024. In addition to finding things like drugs and stolen electronics, you will be able to find a lot of new things on the dark web in the coming years including refined AI bots and new markets. They may also suspend or fire you, depending on the severity of your actions. Using dark web sites on an office network can also put corporate data at risk.
What is the Dark Web?
What Is Dark Web Monitoring?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires the use of special software to access. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also hosts a number of legitimate communities and resources. Because of its hidden nature, the dark web can be a valuable tool for those who need to communicate or access information privately.
Getting on the dark web using a mobile device is surprisingly easy. In early 2000s, Roger Dingledine (MIT graduate) with Paul Syverson began working on the onion routing project created at Naval Research Lab. To distinguish their work from other efforts, they named the project Tor (The Onion Routing). Surprisingly, the U.S. government is usually cited as the creator of the dark web to allow spies to communicate with each other anonymously. The dark web is quite small when compared with the internet as a whole.
Dark Web Search Engines
How to Access the Dark Web
To access the dark web, you will need to use the Tor browser. Tor, which stands for “The Onion Router,” is a free, open-source software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing your internet connection through a series of volunteer-run servers, called “nodes,” which encrypt and decrypt your data as it passes through. This makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or identify your location.
- First, check out our beginner’s guide on how to use Tor, then come back when you’re ready to get started.
- After extensive tests, we’ve found NordVPN to be best suited for accessing the dark web on a phone as it’s mobile-friendly, secure, and offers specialized dark web servers.
- Indeed, Facebook, The New York Times and now even the CIA have sites on the dark web, hosting “onion” versions of their pages that can be accessed via the Tor browser.
Step 1: Download and Install the Tor Browser
The first step to accessing the dark web is to download and install the Tor browser. You can find the latest version of the software on the official Tor Project website. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the prompts to install the browser on your computer.
What Are The Things You Can Find On The Dark Web Links In 2024?
Step 2: Connect to the Tor Network
What is the dark web called now?
The dark web, also known as darknet websites, are accessible only through networks such as Tor ("The Onion Routing" project) that are created specifically for the dark web. Tor browser and Tor-accessible sites are widely used among the darknet users and can be identified by the domain ".onion".
Once the Tor browser is installed, open it and click the “Connect” button. The browser will automatically connect to the Tor network and launch a new window. You are now ready to browse the dark web.
Step 3: Navigate to Dark Web Sites
To navigate to dark web sites, you will need to use their “onion” addresses. Onion addresses are unique, cryptic URLs that are only accessible through the Tor network. They typically look something like this: http://examplexyz.onion. To visit a dark web site, simply enter its onion address into the Tor browser’s address bar and press enter.
However, it’s not impossible for a skilled and determined party, such as law enforcement, to track activity on the Dark Web. What is illegal is participating in illicit activities that may be found there, such as purchasing illegal goods or services. Remember, just because something is hidden on the Dark Web does not make it legal or ethical. Stay away from illegal activities and always consider the potential risks before diving too deep.
Staying Safe on the Dark Web
While the dark web can be a valuable resource, it’s important to remember that it can also be a dangerous place. To stay safe while browsing the dark web, be sure to follow these guidelines:
- Only visit sites that you trust.
- Do not download or install any software unless you are absolutely sure it is safe.
- Do not share any personal information, such as your name, address, or credit card number.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) to add an extra layer of security.
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. We also discuss more reasons why you should use a VPN when connecting to Tor in the Tor Won’t Keep you Safe on Onion Sites section.Thank you & stay safe. A VPN adds another layer of anonymity to your traffic with a Tor-over-VPN connection, encrypting your traffic before you use Tor.
By following these steps and taking the necessary precautions, you can safely access and explore the dark web in 2024.
How do I get Tor browser?
Where to download Tor Browser. Tor Browser is available for Linux, Mac and Windows, and has also been ported to mobile. You can download desktop versions from the Tor Project website. If you're on Android, find OrBot or OrFox on the Google Play Store or F-Droid.