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Using Tor Browser
How to Use the Dark Web
It was created to provide layers of encryption (hence the reference to onions) in order to anonymize communication between intelligence professionals. Tor operates almost like a traditional web browser, you can download it to your machine and use it to access different sites. Each version of the dark web provides its own dataset, encryption services and risks from attempting to access it.
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. Here’s a guide on how to access and use the dark web safely.
- Significantly smaller than the tiny surface web, the dark web is considered a part of the deep web.
- And just like in real life, using the dark web for criminal purposes is never legal.
- The difference is that a lot of the goods and services advertised and sold on the dark web are illegal.
- Subscription-based applications can be accessed only once the user has paid for them.
- The deep web is the first level beneath the “surface” of the visible web — and it’s significantly larger than the surface web, accounting for an estimated 96% to 99% of the entire internet.
What You’ll Need
- A computer or mobile device
- A dark web browser, such as Tor
- A virtual private network (VPN) for added security (optional)
Then, once you connect to Tor, your connection is encrypted once again, so you basically get a double layer of encryption. If you wish, you can even use DuckDuckGo or other search engines that operate on the Dark Web. In this case, you’ll need to download the setup file from ExpressVPN’s site and follow the on-screen instructions to install it. It’s easy and the whole process lasts about 20 to 30 seconds, so it’s not going to chip away too much of your time. Instead, it uses the “.onion” domain which applies to all of its websites that also don’t have typical names.
Double-click on the server location you want and you’ll establish a connection, as indicated by ExpressVPN turning green. From here, I recommend connecting to a VPN server first and then using Tor. This is something called Tor over VPN, where the VPN will mask the fact that you’re using Tor once you connect to a VPN server.
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We’re going to focus on the approach called Tor over VPN, or Onion over VPN. In this approach, you first connect to a secure VPN, then pass messages through the Tor network. With this setup, your messages are encrypted before they enter the Tor network, and decrypted after they leave the network. To function dark web accessing securely, the Tor network nodes need to be running the official Tor software. An attacker can add subverted nodes to the volunteer-run Tor network and cause various kinds of problems. It is designed for anonymous web browsing, and has various features (and limitations) that help achieve this.
Accessing the Dark Web
To access the dark web, you’ll need to download and install a dark web browser, such as Tor. Tor is a free and open-source software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously.
Once you’ve installed Tor, open it and you’ll be automatically connected to the dark web. You can then start browsing websites with the .onion extension, which are only accessible through the Tor network.
Staying Safe on the Dark Web
The dark web can be a dangerous place, so it’s important to darknet drug trafficking take precautions to protect yourself. Here are some tips:
- Use a VPN for added security. A VPN will encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address, making it harder for others to track your online activity.
- Only visit reputable websites. Be cautious of any website that asks for top darknet marketplaces personal information or tries to install malware on your device.
- Don’t download any files or click on links from unknown sources. Malware is common on the dark web, and downloading a file or clicking on a link can infect your device with malware.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. This will help protect your accounts from being hacked.
- Keep your software up to date. This will help protect your device from known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.
Can you just download Tor?
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.
What not to use Tor for?
Don’t use Tor for online shopping or banking: While Tor can provide a high degree of anonymity, it’s not designed for secure online transactions. Using Tor for online shopping or banking could put your financial information at risk.
Can the government track you on Tor?
While it provides better anti-tracking features than most browsers, Tor isn't a standalone solution for protecting your digital identity. Your ISP and government agencies can still see when you're using Tor and your IP address is visible to the entry node.