The project soon evolved to become Freenet — a platform for free speech online. Users could discuss, share, and publish information anonymously and free of government censorship. The surface web is part of the iceberg above the water, visible and accessible to everyone. Then the deep web is right under the water – it’s less accessible, but basic swimming skills would be enough to get there.
- The good news is that this happens very rarely and in 99.99% of the cases, users have no issues with this method.
- Surfshark is also really user-friendly, as its apps are all intuitive and make it very simple to find and connect to servers.
- The best way to find out is to check the “Have I Been Pwned” (HIBP) website.
Customizing Tor Browser In Tails OS
The dark web is a mysterious and often misunderstood part of the internet. It is a collection of websites that are not indexed by search engines and can only be accessed using special software. While the dark web can be used for illegal activities, it is also home to a community of people who value their privacy and want to keep their online activities hidden from prying eyes.
What You Need to Access the Dark Web
How To Access The Dark Web On IPhone Safely
To access the dark web, you will need to download and install the Tor browser. Tor is a free and open-source software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing your internet connection through a network of servers, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
Close Tails After Finishing Your Session
In addition to the Tor browser, you will also need to use a virtual private network (VPN) to further protect your privacy. A VPN will encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address, making it even more difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
What does an onion link look like?
An onion address consists of 56 letters and numbers, followed by ". onion". When accessing a website that uses an onion service, Tor Browser will show in the URL bar an icon of an onion displaying the state of your connection: secure and using an onion service.
How to Find Websites on the Dark Web
Internet traffic first passes through the Tor Network, and then through the VPN. This means the VPN provider doesn’t see your real IP address and the VPN protects you from those bad exit nodes. This part of the internet is notorious for illegal activities, facilitated by the anonymity it offers.
Finding websites on the dark web can be a bit more difficult than on the regular web. Since these websites are not indexed by search engines, you will need to use special directories to find them. Some popular directories include the Hidden Wiki and Onion Links.
Daniel — Onion Site With Chat, Link Checker & More
It is important to note that not all websites on the dark web are legitimate. Be cautious when clicking on links and only visit websites that you trust.
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).
FAQs About Surfing the Dark Web
However, in practice, security flaws in Tor and incorrect server configurations can expose this information to those interested in accessing it. On the other hand, one cannot visit the dark web without purpose-built software. This is because the dark web is placed on darknets, an overlay network that exists ‘on top of” the regular internet. These pages are mostly obscured from the surface web to secure user data and privacy rather than any nefarious purpose. The former includes privately protected file collections that one cannot access without the correct credentials. The latter includes internal networks for governments, educational facilities, and corporations.
- Is it illegal to access the dark web? No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, some of the activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, so it is important to use caution and only visit websites that you trust.
- Can I get in trouble for accessing the dark web? It is possible to get in trouble for accessing the dark web if you engage in illegal activities. However, simply accessing the dark web is not illegal.
- Do I need to use a VPN to access the dark web? While it is not required, it is highly recommended to use a VPN when accessing the dark web to further protect your privacy.
Conclusion
Surfing the dark web can be a bit more complicated than surfing the regular web, but with the right tools and a healthy dose of caution, it can be a fascinating and eye-opening experience. Just remember to always protect your privacy and only visit websites that you trust.
How do I download Tor browser?
The safest and simplest way to download Tor Browser is from the official Tor Project website at https://www.torproject.org/download. Your connection to the site will be secured using HTTPS, which makes it much harder for somebody to tamper with.
