HomeCybersecurityWhat is Dark Web,...

What is Dark Web, And How Can You access it?

Dark Webs are somewhat complicated. Usually, these parts of the internet are accessed via private servers, allowing for communication via specific technologies. The high level of anonymity provided by this technology makes it difficult for authorities to shut it down.

As a result, Dark Web has been turned into a place where many illegal activities occur.

What is hidden on the Dark Web?

If you’ve ever heard of cybercrimes, you might know that cybercriminals these days are after more than just money. In short, they take anything valuable, including credit card information and personal information. The Dark Web offers these commodities for sale, purchase, and trade.

Besides that, there are also illegal dealings that can’t be conducted over the surface of the Web. The Dark Web is a place where anything – for a price – can be bought. A variety of items could be available, including firearms, illegal drugs, illegal wildlife, and even the services of a hitman!

How to Access the Dark Web Websites?

Access the Dark Web

Here’s a guide that will show you how to explore the Dark Web, its sites and take measures. Accessing the deep Web is also way similar to accessing the dark Web. 

Be very careful when browsing the dark Web: It can be hazardous. If you explore it to conduct illegal activities, you could be prosecuted and jailed. 

It is also possible to be a victim of scammers and cybercriminals if you visit certain websites or download specific files. These individuals might infect your computer or steal your personal information.

Check out: How to Browse Deep and Dark Web Safely: Guide & FAQs

So, let’s get on to the process.

1. Get the TOR browser and install it

Despite its current popularity as a browser that can access parts of the Dark Web, TOR (aka. the dark web browser) was initially designed to help safeguard U.S. security. Basically, as an Intelligence online communication system.

Currently, it is the most popular way to access .onion websites on the Dark Web.

TOR is a modified version of the Firefox web browser that lets users browse the Web anonymously. The browser is designed to prevent users from doing things that may reveal their identities, such as resizing their browser window.

While you’re waiting for TOR to download, make sure to tape the webcam lens with dark tape. It’s impossible to predict what might happen next.

2. Use Virtual Private Network service or VPN

It is essential to use a VPN when accessing the Dark Web. But why? Because of the legal system, of course. 

Technically, you are free to access this Internet layer provided that you do not engage in any illegal activities. However, a recent rule from the U.S. Supreme Court determined that even casually browsing the dark Web can put you into serious trouble.

Thus, if the authorities intercepted your darknet connection request, they would have had good reason to search your house and confiscate the computer used to browse. Do yourself a favor, and install a VPN before you venture into the dark Web. To choose the right VPN, check out this article on Best VPN for dark Web

3. Install a V.M. or a disposable O.S.

For browsing the Dark Web, I suggest preferring virtual machine software instead of your locally installed Windows. What is the reason? Because virtual environments are more accessible to control than natural environments since they can contain malware.

 Virtual Machines are available in various formats: Oracle V.M. Virtualbox, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, Red Hat Virtualization, VMware Fusion and Workstations, QEMU, and Xen Project, to name a few.

When eliminating physical storage devices, you can use a disposable operating system, something you can deploy and easily remove if you run into difficulty. It will only take you a couple of minutes to install it with an 8 G.B. thumb drive.

4. You can trust DuckDuckGo

The Dark Web is slightly different from the standard Web. We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘Google is your friend,’ don’t we? Unfortunately, Google has a severe privacy issue, and you don’t want to carry around that albatross with you while browsing the Dark Web. 

Search engine DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your every move and won’t keep track of what sites you visit.

5. Sign up for a secure email account

Having decided to go this route, you need to sign up for an untraceable email address. Most .onion websites require an email address to register, so you cannot sign up with Gmail.

You might find these suggestions useful:

  • ProtonMail
  • Bitmessage
  • RiseUp
  • Tarbox
  • Lelantos (paid service)
  • Mail2Tor

It’s also worth noting that these have .onion domains, which require the TOR browser to access. A standard web browser like Chrome or Firefox won’t work.

6. Explore the Dark Web

Dark Web domains have a .onion extension. These domains are similar to regular ones but cannot be accessed unless you use a specialized browser, such as TOR.

The following addresses are relatively harmless, and you can test them:

  • DuckDuckGo Search Engine
  • Hidden Wiki
  • ExpressVPN

Alternately, you can begin your search with a Dark Web Search Engine like Ahmia.

Note: These links point to .onion sites, which you cannot view in a regular browser.

Is it all set up and configured now? Fantastic! It’s time to surf. Tor appears to be no different from your regular browser in the beginning – it has a search bar, quick-launch buttons, and the onion icon right in the center.

Even though search engines can’t index dark web content as much as the clear Web, you can still use them to find things. Grams and Hidden Wiki are the two most prominent players in this field.

YAY, now my heart has everything it longs for. No. Search engines like Wiki and Grams often return incorrect results because the Dark Web relies on privacy and anonymity. You can start by exploring the Hidden Wiki, no matter what the quality is.

7. The Hidden Wiki – your Wikipedia for Dark Web

The Hidden Wiki is like the evil twin of Wikipedia: it looks the same but has links to dark web categories. These categories may include editor’s picks, volunteer work, introduction points, blogs & essays, hosting providers, financial services, commercial offerings, email\messaging, darknet radio, drugs, hacking services, literature ( black hat and ethical hacking resources).

The dark Web is also full of links to stuff that would make a typical website pitch-black dark. These include contract killers, rape, torture, and murder on demand, and child pornography.

Luckily, in Hidden Wiki, each website comes with a short description to know what to expect and whatnot. I would suggest you stick with the editor’s pick. If you’re looking for coding resources, you can also check out the blogs & essays section.

Whenever you feel like chatting, you can always enter a chat room. Through Random Chat, you can connect with random users of the same service. It’s totally up to you what happens next.

It’s best to ignore anything labeled as “porn,” “card skimming,” “PayPal hack.” “Firearms,” “fake I.D.s and passports” should also be avoided. It’s not surprising. There are a lot of them to choose from, and each one of them is watched over meticulously. Not to mention you will be exposed to some stuff that will make you take a lot of cold showers.

Does Google block Tor?

The Google search engine blocks Tor entirely because it may be used for scraping. Tor Browser usually uses DuckDuckGo as its search engine. It doesn’t track you like Google.

Check out: How to Detect And Prevent Cryptojacking?

Most Popular

More from Author

7 Ways to Protect Your Identity This Year

In the past few years, identity theft threats have grown exponentially....

Surfshark VPN Review: Privacy, Performance & Pricing

VPNs increase your privacy by sending all of your web traffic...

How to Learn Ethical Hacking? A Step-by-Step Guide

A job as an ethical hacker is exciting and lucrative. Any...

Importance of Mobile App Security Testing

In recent years, more than 36 billion data files have been...

Read Now

Network Automation: A New Approach to Network Assurance

Networks are a critical part of any business, and ensuring that they operate at peak performance is essential for success. Network automation through the use of AI has emerged as one of the most effective ways to address the growing complexity of networks while also improving their...

5 Cybersecurity Tips for Businesses

There are many benefits to working with IT Support Services to improve Cybersecurity through IT Infrastructure improvements; here are a few tips to improve your business Cybersecurity: Educate your employees (IT Consultancy) One of the best ways to improve business security is to educate employees about the risks and...

Use An LMS to Train Your Employees About Cybersecurity

Do you conduct cyber security training in your company? If you do, are you sure your training is effective and bringing the change you require? A survey of over 1200 employees revealed that 61% failed the basic cybersecurity test even though they received cybersecurity training from their company....

Jobs You Can Get With CCNA Certification

Cisco Certified Network Associate is a widely respected IT credential. The material covered on the exam spans a broad range of networking concepts. It ensures that those who take the CCNA test are ready to work with today's challenges. Whether you want to refresh your skills or...

6 Important Ways To Improve Your Website Security

Recently, it has become easier than ever before for anyone to build a website. However, many people forget that building your own website means that you are responsible for the safety and security of your own site. This is especially important to remember if people are taking...

Top 7 Latest Trends in Online Data Privacy

With the ever-growing number of cyber-attacks and data breaches on the rise, online data privacy has never been more important to protect. And while it may seem like an abstract concept at first, it’s one that many people are still woefully unprepared to handle. How we interact with...

Revolut Became the New Target For Phishing Scams. What happened?

On the 11th of September, Revolut users noticed unusual events in the app chat. A few days after the activity, people were alerted via email that the company had been the target of a cyberattack, which exposed multiple user accounts. This has decreased the bank’s credibility, and...

Getting Started with PCI Data Security Compliance

Getting started with Payment Card Industry (PCI) security for payment card processors and merchants is an actual result of the demand for credit card data security. The PCI standard comprises 12 requirements for companies managing, processing, or handling payment cardholder data. The 12 PCI requirements determine the architecture...

5 Ways To Protect Your Company Data From Hackers

According to economists and industry experts, data is currently the world's most valuable asset. This is hardly unexpected, considering that organizations of all scales and sizes rely solely on data to make crucial choices, seize opportunities, develop strategies, and enhance operations. For these reasons, you should make...

Common Email Phishing Attacks, Techniques & Preventions

Email phishing attacks are a form of social engineering commonly used to obtain sensitive user information, such as login information and credit card details. It occurs when an attacker poses as a trustworthy entity and convinces a victim to open an email, instant message, or text message....

Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities Any Business Should Look Out For

No business is immune to cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Small businesses are more at risk than larger businesses. This is because they often have fewer resources to devote to cybersecurity and may not have the same level of protection as a larger company. If you are a business owner,...

5 Ways to Quickly Secure a Small Business from Cyber Attacks

There is no question that cyber attacks and hackers are targeting small businesses. They don't have the infrastructure to deal with professional attacks; most can't afford to hold out against ransom attacks. Many businesses don't have any viable defense at all.  Any small business online is fundamentally a cash...