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This process slows down your browsing speeds, but ExpressVPN’s Lightway let me browse Tor without any noticeable slowdowns. I got an average speed of 46 Mbps against a base speed of 50 Mbps with just a 8% drop. For additional security, set Tor’s security level to “Safest”. To do this, simply click the shield button at the top right corner of the browser.
Please note that these browser-based proxies cannot provide the same level of anonymity and can make the process even slower. They aren’t as safe as Tor because they can log who has used them. It’s much more common for users to learn the precise address of an Onion site and then visit it directly. Ironically, you can find many Onion URLs on the surface web, but you can’t use them there. If there are no links or the site has purposely blocked search engine bots, the page falls into the deep web. On the flipside, bank security staff will have their own deep web admin area that the public can’t access.
How to Access the Darknet Summary
To better understand what the dark web is, it can be helpful to learn about the three levels of the internet. Tor might have had its security problems in the past, but it’s still the safest and most popular way to get on the dark web. There are lots of perfectly legitimate reasons you might want to access all that shady content.
- It’s relatively easy for anyone to access this encrypted network.
- Even though it’s difficult to do, ISPs and government agencies can sometimes determine which sites you’re visiting through the Tor Browser.
- Keep in mind, using VPN over Tor is not advised — even by the Tor browser itself.
Make sure to never visit your own websites, type out your name, or do anything that may reveal your identity on this account. There are many VPNs available for accessing the dark web, but the best VPN for you depends on your needs and preferences. Some VPNs are better for privacy and security, while others are better for streaming or torrenting. The dark web is only a small portion of the deep web, but it poses outsized reasons for concern and caution.
Step 2: Open and configure Onion Browser
In 2015, the FBI investigated and took down a website called Playpen. At the time, Playpen was the largest child pornography website on the dark web with over 200,000 members. Sites use complex systems of guides, forums and community regulation. Other content includes sexualised torture and killing of animals and revenge porn. Four people had been detained in raids, including a man from Paraguay, on suspicion of running the network.
The term dark web first emerged in 2009; however, it is unknown when the actual dark web first emerged. Many internet users only use the surface web, data that can be accessed by a typical web browser. The dark web forms a small part of the deep web, but requires custom software in order to access its content. Since then, especially in reporting on Silk Road, the two terms have often been conflated, despite recommendations that they should be distinguished. Free online services that are open to the public can be categorized as part of the deep web. For instance, banking websites require users to log in before viewing their account statements.
Dark Web Sites Name List
Even if you take precautions like using a VPN to hide your IP address, or paying with untraceable cryptocurrency. First, let’s go over the most common cyber threats you’ll face on the dark web. Download and install the anonymous Tor dark web browser from their official website. So after you read our guide, make sure you stick around for an in-depth dive into the risks of the dark web, and safety steps that you can take.
On your smartphone, you’ll also want to go through every app’s settings individually to deny location access as an extra precaution. If you’re using Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS to access the dark web, there are a lot of extra safety precautions you need to enact before even connecting to your VPN. Cybercriminals and even regular criminals also use the dark web to conduct illegal activities. Without a VPN, your ISP can see you’re using Tor – even though they don’t know what you’re using Tor for. But because it’s well-known that Tor is used for accessing the dark web, identifying Tor usage can raise suspicions.
If you’re browsing in a restrictive network that blocks Tor, , select “Configure”. Otherwise, clicking “Connect” will allow you to browse immediately. I recommend ExpressVPN for its military-grade encryption and leak protection that allows you to browse the dark web anonymously. Once Tor is installed, you have the option to “Connect” or “Configure”. If you’re browsing in a restrictive network or location, click “Configure”. Otherwise, you can click “Connect” to begin browsing Tor immediately.
