The term deep web is sometimes used as a synonym for dark web, while the two are actually different. Though the term ‘deep web’ is used in some languages instead of ‘dark web’.

The dark web consists of all kinds of websites, just like the surface web. And even though the dark web is known for ‘illegal’ sites, these sites are only a small part of the dark web.

Although it isn’t very hard to access the dark web, it’s important that you think of your online safety. The dark web is unregulated and cybercriminals could be lurking anywhere. That’s why you should educate yourself and secure your system before entering the dark web. This article will give you advice on safely accessing the dark web.

Want to know how to set up the Tor browser and how to navigate the dark web? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll give you an extensive step-by-step plan with links and tips on how to browse dark web sites as securely as possible. If you come across terms you don’t understand, check out our dark web dictionary for further explanations.

How to Access the Dark Web Safely? Start With a VPN

If you want to gain dark web access, we strongly advise you to use a VPN connection. Using a VPN will give you extra privacy and protection online. The Tor network has several vulnerabilities, and a VPN can protect your privacy and data. However, it’s better not to connect to a VPN when using a mobile live OS. You’ll read more about this later.

A VPN ensures that you’re more anonymous, free, and secure on the web. Because a VPN allows you to access the internet with a different IP address, your online behavior can’t be linked to you. Since the dark web is also used by criminals and hackers, it’s good to ensure that no one can trace your identity.

Excellent protection and a large network of servers Nice and pleasing application No logs

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If you’d rather learn about other great VPN providers, you can take a look at our article about the five best VPNs. For more information about what a VPN connection does and how it works exactly, click here.

How Do You Get on the Dark Web?

If you want to access the dark web, it’s important you do so in a safe way. The dark web isn’t the same as the ‘normal’ surface internet. It comes with a number of unexpected pitfalls. To access the dark web, follow these steps:

If you really want to know how to access the dark web fully prepared, you need more than these simple steps. Additional explanations and tips on how to enter the dark web anonymously and safely can be found in our extensive guide below. We will give you tips to help you stay safe when using Tor to gain dark web access.

Note: You may have heard that using the Tor network (with a good VPN for added security) is not the only way to access the dark web, which is true. However, it is in fact the only way that’s more or less safe. Nowadays, users can also reach some dark web pages via their standard browser (such as Google Chrome) through another tool developed by Tor: Tor2web. However, even Tor itself indicated this is far more dangerous than using the Tor browser to do so. After all, this way of accessing the dark web makes it far easier for cybercriminals to find out your identity or even infect your PC with malware. As such, we stress that the use of the Tor browser to access the dark web is really important!

Is the Dark Web Legal?

In one word: yes. The dark web is legal in most parts of the world. Using the Tor browser is also completely legal. However, if you use the dark web to violate the law, you’re still partaking in illegal activities. We’d strongly advise all our readers to be sensible and avoid illegal activities on the dark web (and beyond) at all times.

The dark web and the Tor browser are tools to protect your right to privacy. That is the intention of the browser and the way in which one should use it, in our opinion. The right to privacy is a human right established by the United Nations. This has been declared in the following articles:

Over 130 countries that are part of the United Nations have constitutional declarations on the protection of the privacy of their citizens. Chances are that the country you’re currently in has these declarations as well. Still, local laws can differ a lot. If you want to know more about your right to privacy and the use of the dark web in your location, we’d advise you to consult your country’s laws.

The Complete Step-by-Step Plan to Safely Browse the Dark Web

Now that you know how to access the dark web easily, let’s talk about browsing the dark web safely. We want to make sure to highlight that the dark web can be quite a dangerous place if you do not take the right precautions. You can stay relatively safe with a good antivirus and a decent VPN. However, if you want to be completely anonymous and protect your device you will need a little bit more than that. Below you will find 15 steps that can help you visit the dark web safely. However, do keep in mind that things change quickly and hackers get smarter every day.

1. Make Sure You’ve Got The Basics Down

This may sound boring. But the dark web is a complex place where a lot can go wrong. It is full of scammers, malware, and phishing websites. Sometimes it is better to learn by doing. With the dark web, however, this is not the best method. You would rather not infect your computer with malware or lose a lot of money before you understand how it all works. There are more than enough people on the dark web who want to abuse ignorance.

That is why it is important to know exactly what you want to achieve on the dark web before you download the software or start browsing. after all, if you know what you want to do or discover on the dark web you can prepare yourself better:

2. Use a Live Mobile OS (optional)

When discovering how to access the dark web safely, we determined that anonymity is the most important thing to protect you on the dark web. Not because the dark web is illegal (it isn’t), but because the more anonymous you are – the safer you are. Unfortunately, operating systems like Windows 10 are not very well suited for privacy on the dark web. Windows does the following that does not help your anonymity:

If a hacker manages to get into your system via the dark web, all of this information can potentially be exploited by that hacker. Many of these settings in Windows can easily be turned off (though not all). You can do this by going through the settings in Windows or by using a nifty piece of software like W10Privacy.

A much better idea than going on the dark web via Windows 10 is to use a live mobile operating system (OS) like Tails, Whonix, ZuesGuard, or Qubes.

Tails, Whonix, ZeusGuard, or Qubes

Tails (The Amnesiac Incognito Live System) is a live version of Linux OS that won’t leave any trace of your activity or the OS on your computer. This free OS can be downloaded onto a USB flash drive or DVD. You do not have to install it on your computer. You simply plug in the USB flash drive or insert the DVD when you want to browse without leaving a trace and load the OS. It cannot save cookies on your hard drive unless you personally tell it to.

Tails also has the Tor browser pre-installed. The Tor browser is essential for getting on the dark web and installing Tails on a flash drive saves you the trouble of installing Tor on your PC or laptop.

Alternatives for Tails

Alternatives to Tails are Whonix, ZeusGuard (paid), and Qubes OS. All three have their upsides and downsides. It is really a matter of personal preference.

Whonix is much like Tails in that it is a live OS that runs next to your regular OS. In other words, you can use Windows, Mac, or Linux and just use Tails or Whonix on the side.

Everything you do on Whonix is routed through Tor. The difference is that Whonix runs simultaneously to your regular OS through a virtual machine. This makes logging in and out of the dark web much faster and simpler. It arguably also makes it less safe. Their homepage has detailed instructions.

Qubes OS is a single-user, desktop operating system with a bunch of virtual machines running inside it. It only has about 30k users. It is arguably your safest option because the OS is comprised of several different virtual machines. Edward Snowden, for example, uses Qubes OS to safeguard his anonymity.

Live OS do not support VPNs

It is very important to note, however, that many live operating systems do not support VPNs. This is for a good reason. These types of operating systems run on isolated virtual machines, meaning there is very little to connect it to your identity or anything else on your computer.

In this case, having a subscription to a VPN might actually make you more detectable than just using the Tor network. This is because VPNs, in this case, would introduce a permanent entry guard or a permanent exit node. This just means that, ironically enough, the VPN introduces a new method for detection.

Of course, not everyone feels comfortable downloading and using an entirely new operating system. If you choose to not access the dark web via Tails, make sure to follow these next steps.

3. Use a VPN to Encrypt Your Internet Traffic

Even if you use the Tor browser, your traffic can still be traced back to you by anyone with sufficient time, resources, and know-how. In fact, the Tor browser was found to have a vulnerability in 2017 that in some instances leaked real IP addresses.

This problem mentioned above was especially serious for macOS and Linux users. If these users had taken the precaution to also have a VPN operating in the background, however, their real IP addresses would not have been compromised.

Therefore, it is highly advisable that you use a VPN in addition to Tor while browsing the dark web.

VPNs encrypt your web traffic and make sure your IP address is hidden from any hackers or government surveillance, even if there is a leak within the Tor network. For more information on VPNs, see our detailed explanation.

Please be aware, however, that not every VPN provider is equally reliable. Free versions often suffer from slow service, data limits, and security leaks. We would recommend using NordVPN as a good VPN that works well with Tor.

What is the Dark Web? How to Access and What You Can Find

Think of the internet as a vast ocean. The websites we access on a daily basis (such as Google and Facebook) make up the surface. The dark web, on the other hand, is pretty much at the bottom. This is the “hidden” part of the internet that you can’t access using a regular browser such as Google Chrome.

There’s a myth that all you’ll find on the dark web are illegal markets and shocking graphic content. This is not the case. While those things are on there, the dark web is also a safe haven for journalists, whistleblowers, and people that want to avoid censorship.

If you want to visit the dark web, we recommend taking some safety precautions, namely: installing a VPN and using the Tor browser. For extra privacy and safety, we recommend NordVPN for its strong encryption and no-logging policy.

To learn more about the dark web and what you can find there, keep reading below!

The dark web is a hidden part of the world wide web that can only be accessed using a special browser known as Tor. Dark web pages don’t appear when you look for them in a search engine, so you need to know the exact address of the website you want to visit.

This part of the internet is usually described as “dangerous.” The widely-known stereotype is that the dark web is where all sorts of shady things happen, from dealing illegal drugs to hiring hitmen. While there are definitely dangers lurking in the dark web, it’s also home to more than just illegal marketplaces.

The dark web can be a safe place for journalists and whistleblowers to communicate freely. Citizens from countries with strict internet regulations can also use the dark web to talk openly.

Video Explainer: What is the Dark Web?

Our short animation discusses what exactly is the dark web — and what you can use it for. The article continues below the video.

What is the Dark Web?

To understand what the dark web is, we need to understand its terminology. The internet is often described as consisting of three parts: the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web.

The terms “deep web” and “dark web” get misused regularly, which can cause a lot of confusion. As we talk about the dark web, here are a few points to keep in mind:

Here’s an infographic to differentiate between the terms.

The surface web

The surface web — along with the deep web — is the part of the internet most of us use every day. It’s accessible through regular browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. This very article is part of it: you can access it anywhere and at any time, as long as you have an internet connection and a browser.

Other websites, including those of online stores and businesses, are also part of the “regular web.” However, when you open a website as a visitor, you don’t get to see every part of that website. You’ll only see the surface.

When you surf Amazon without logging in, for example, you’ll see their product listings. But you’ll only be able to see the website as a customer, not as a seller or administrator.

To be able to look “behind the scenes,” you’ll need a username and password. Once you have those, you’ll be able to get past the surface and onto the deep web.

The deep web

The term “deep web” refers to the part of the internet that’s behind closed doors. Most of the deep web consists of pages and databases that are only meant for a certain group of people within an organization.

Your work database might be on this part of the web. In order to get access, you’ll need to know the exact web address (otherwise known as a URL). In some cases, you’ll need a password, as well.

Most of us won’t have access to this URL and the required login credentials — and this information can’t be found on search engines, either. In other words: a conventional Google search won’t show you deep web content or pages.

The deep web is by far the biggest part of the internet, estimated to make up between 90 and 95% of the complete world wide web. Examples of pages on the deep web are: the private data and pages of companies, universities, libraries, hospitals, governments, international organizations, and so on.

The dark web

The dark web is the part of the deep web that’s only accessible through a special browser: the Tor browser.

Also called the “darknet,” this collection of sites refers to the unregulated part of the internet. No organization, business, or government is in charge of the dark web or is able to enforce rules. This is exactly the reason why the dark web is commonly associated with illegal activities.

Some people refer to this part of the internet as the “deep web,” but this isn’t the right term. It’s true that the dark web is part of the deep web, but it’s a different section of the internet altogether.

As mentioned, the deep web is accessible through regular browsers — as long as you have the exact URL. This isn’t the case for the dark web. It’s impossible to reach the dark web through a regular browser such as Google Chrome or Edge.

The address of search engine DuckDuckGo, for example, might be something like https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion

Moreover, the URLs of dark web sites change regularly, so they aren’t as easy to find as most platforms on other parts of the internet.

Surface web vs. deep web vs. dark web

To summarize, here are some key differences between the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web:

What You Can Find on the Dark Web

The dark web is constantly changing and remains largely hidden. Below, we list down some of the things you may find on the dark web, both helpful and risky.

A word of advice: even the most innocent of tools can be dangerous when placed in the hands of the wrong people. Always be critical of any dark web content, services, software, or information that you come across, especially if they promise you too-good-to-be-true offers like free crypto or cheap Netflix hacked accounts.

The URLs listed below will only open in Tor.

Link directories

As mentioned, to access a specific dark website, you need to know the exact URL of that page. And it’s not like these URLs are easy to remember either: they’re strings of random numbers, letters, and special characters.

Fortunately, there are dedicated pages that can help you find what you’re looking for. These pages usually even categorize their “onion links,” making it easier for you to browse through their list of links. Here are two of these pages, together with their onion links:

Black markets

Black markets have flourished since the birth of the internet. The dark web is home to many black marketplaces, where all sorts of goods can be sold and bought, from cheap Netflix accounts to credit card numbers, weapons, and drugs.

Note that the existence of such markets is illegal.

Anonymity is highly valued in these circles, and payment methods are often limited to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Monero as they can help ensure that buyers are never identified.

Dark web versions of popular websites

News websites like BBC, email services like ProtonMail, and torrent sites like The Pirate Bay all have onion websites. These dark websites are usually for people who can’t access the surface web version of the site, often because of strict internet regulations in their countries.

Here are examples of dark web versions of popular sites:

Email services

Email services on the dark web almost always require you to use Tor and only allow you to send emails to others who are also using Tor. Some secure email services available on the dark web are:

File uploads and transfers

Secure file uploads and transfers are widespread on the dark web, as the onion network provides several layers of encryption on both your files and connection. Similar to whistleblowing websites, file transfer services are used by journalists and informants to share files with sensitive information.

Services under this category include:

Forums and chat boards

There are several message boards and chatrooms on the dark web, often dedicated to topics that aren’t safe to discuss in other parts of the internet. We advise against visiting these websites, as people may be discussing dangerous, illegal, and unethical activities or topics.

On the dark web, you can also find hackers’ forums that trade in stolen data. This usually involves passport data, credit card numbers, and (digital) identities. This personal data is obtained by cybercriminals by hacking into systems through things like phishing or man-in-the-middle attacks. This illegally obtained information is then sold on the dark web.

Whistleblowing websites

Whistleblowers and journalists use the dark web to leak or find sensitive information. People who want to report a company or their government for illegal acts can use Tor to try and stay anonymous.

Both the WikiLeaks network and whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have used the dark web in the past to spread their message.

How to Access the Dark Web

Accessing the dark web requires two tools: a virtual private network (VPN) and a specialized browser called Tor. If you plan on downloading any files from the dark web, you’ll also want to have an antivirus running at all times.

What is Tor?

The Onion Router (Tor) is a free, open-source web browser that aims to keep its users anonymous. In order to accomplish this, the Tor browser channels your internet activities through several IP addresses or hosts. Here’s how to install the Tor browser.

Your activity travels through a network of nodes. At every node, part of the encryption is peeled off. Eventually, your information ends up at the website of your choice. This process of “onion routing” aims to keep the user anonymous.

Although Tor can be used to get access to the dark web, most of its users still remain on the surface web. In other words: Tor is mostly used to anonymize online browsing but is also the main route to the dark web.

Tor can give you access to the whole web, regardless of whether the websites are regulated or not. In short, using Tor is necessary to access the dark web — and also helps to make you more anonymous on the internet.

Note, however, that Tor is not foolproof. This is why it is always recommended to also have a VPN running.

What is a VPN?

Accessing the dark web is easy, but so is getting into deep trouble because of it. Therefore, it’s important to always keep your online safety and privacy in mind.

A virtual private network (VPN) reroutes your internet traffic through a server from a different country. By using a VPN, you are effectively masking your real IP address. The websites you visit see a different IP address instead of your real IP address.

A VPN also makes it harder for hackers and your government or internet service provider (ISP) to figure out what you’ve been doing online. You’ll be protected from censorship, hackers, and prying eyes.

A popular VPN service to use in combination with Tor is NordVPN. This service lets you protect multiple devices at the same time and offers strong encryption, as well as an array of extra safety measures, including “Onion Over VPN” servers. These servers offer extra protection from DDoS attacks.

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All this makes NordVPN a great VPN to use when you venture onto the dark web. To learn more, read our full review of NordVPN.

How to surf the dark web safely (on PC)

To access the dark web, you must first download the Tor browser and your VPN software of choice. Here are the steps to follow after this:

Once connected, make sure to choose a security level you’re comfortable with. Tor has three security levels you can choose from.To learn more about the Tor browser and how to keep yourself safe, visit our guide here.

How to surf the dark web safely (on mobile)

Tor supports Android, but the operating system is very vulnerable, and it is not recommended for accessing the dark web. Tor does not support iOS at all, but there are Tor-based alternatives for iOS available.

In general, smartphones are not very suitable when it comes to anonymity. Everything you do online can be tracked. With a smartphone, this is even easier because of the GPS tracking that many apps use. Moreover, you run the risk of your phone being hacked and your personal data being stolen.

If you’re interested in using your phone for the dark web, anyway, you can check out our full guide on accessing the dark web on iPhone and Android.

Dangers on the Dark Web

The dark web is home to many dangerous places. Cybercriminals abound in this area of the internet, especially since there is no reg ulation on dark websites. Here are some risks you should look out for when visiting the dark web.

1. Botnets

A botnet is a network of infected devices. Often, the devices in the network are infected without their owners being aware of it. The hacker in charge of the botnet can use the devices to spread viruses; phish for private information; or facilitate DDoS attacks.

The botnet is less likely to be discovered, taken down, or taken over if it operates on the dark web. Some hackers sell the botnets they have created on the dark web, as well. In exchange for a lot of money, you can get control over a large network of infected devices.

2. Illegal porn

3. Pirated content

Similar to the surface web, the dark web has millions of pirated content, like movies, TV shows, books, software, games, and more.

Before opening or downloading any of these pirated content, make sure to check the piracy laws in your country or state. If you accidentally download pirated content, then you may end up unwittingly breaking anti-piracy laws.

To be on the safe side, avoid downloading anything from the dark web at all.

4. Scams

Many websites promise enticing offers like cheap cash and free crypto. Remember that, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Scams are more difficult to detect on the dark web, as you can’t Google if a certain website is known for phishing or other scams.

Additionally, the majority of websites on the dark web have outdated user interfaces, and very few have badges or seals that prove they are legitimate businesses (because most of the markets on the dark web are illegal.) On top of that, you can’t exactly judge from the URL alone if the website is fake.

To keep yourself protected from scams, phishing attacks, and malware, avoid clicking on suspicious links and only visit websites that have been indexed by link directories.

Is the Dark Web Legal?

In one word: yes. The dark web and the Tor browser are legal in most countries.

Should you, however, choose to act on the dark web in a manner that isn’t in line with the law, that of course would be considered illegal. As such, we emphasize the importance of sticking to the laws of the country you’re in.

Nevertheless, people often forget that the dark web and Tor are merely tools to exert your right to privacy and freedom of speech. The United Nations established privacy as a basic human right. The following articles confirm this:

Over 130 countries that are part of the United Nations have laws concerning the protection of their citizens’ privacy. Chances are, this will be the case where you live, as well.

History of the Dark Web: Why and How was the Dark Web Created?

The dark web wasn’t created by cybercriminals. It was actually developed by the United States government. Why was it developed and how did it become the hub for anonymity it is today? Let’s find out.

Spy communication

For most of history, there was a global network of American spies who collected information and intelligence for the U.S. During the 1990s, information became increasingly digitized, and there was no longer a need for these spies to relay their reports through old-fashioned media like radios or letters. The internet and new cryptographic techniques replaced those old communication media.

As all of this information could suddenly be sent through the internet, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory started a program that would eventually become The Onion Router in 1995. With Tor, the agencies had an encrypted line of communications with their field agents.

Anonymity for all

Around 1997, the project was passed on to the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), who in turn gave it over to several civil rights groups (although there are some people who believe that Tor was never really given up by the U.S. government).

Of course, the question is: why would the government hand this network over to civilian advocacy groups?

One of the widely known explanations is that the US government had to open up the anonymous network so that US agents could use it from anywhere in the world at any time. The downside is that made the network vulnerable to infiltration.

Another explanation is that, if U.S. intelligence agents would be using this network exclusively, then obviously, any communication on this network would be directly linked to the U.S. government. Therefore, it was better to open the network up to many other people, so that intelligence communications can be drowned out by the presence of non-government communications.

Why don’t they shut down the dark web?

As the Tor network became available to anyone with an internet connection, more and more servers were being set up across the globe. The network, therefore, became far more decentralized. With each new connection in a different country, U.S. jurisdiction over the internet became smaller.

The power of the Tor network resides in the fact that it cannot be shut down from any one location. Even if you pull the plug on American servers, the rest of the network doesn’t cease to exist.

The U.S. benefits from having this network around — even if it also hosts criminal activity. To this day, it’s still being used as a channel for covert communications by intelligence agencies.

The dark web is also one of the best tools political activists can use to leak information against authoritarian states that the U.S. is very critical of. Of course, this also applies to the U.S., as was made clear by the emergence of WikiLeaks and the whistleblowing activities of Edward Snowden.

A double-edged sword

The Tor network can be both beneficial and dangerous at the same time. Because it is helpful in multiple ways, the U.S. government does not want to shut it down. Even if they did, they would have a hard time trying to shut it down in its entirety and would need the compliance and cooperation of dozens of countries all over the world.

What national authorities do instead is work together to close down specific sites involved in illegal activity. Often, when a dark website does get closed down, multiple agencies have worked together to make that happen.

For example, if the US Department of Justice wants to shut down a Dutch marijuana market, that would require the cooperation of the Dutch police, Europol, and possibly a number of other agencies and authorities.

The following image showcases the number of agencies involved with seizing one such black market.

Taking down this particular website required the cooperation of at least ten different agencies from at least four different countries. The fact that all of these agencies had to cooperate to bring down this site shows how tricky it can be to take down parts of the dark web — let alone the entire dark web.

Exploring the Dark Web

We want to stress that we advise you NOT to use the dark web without first having taken the proper safety measures. In most cases, it’s not worth exposing yourself to the dangers of this unregulated part of the web.

If you do end up visiting the dark web, always take precautions. This step-by-step plan will explain exactly how you could do that. Ultimately, you access the dark web at great risk to yourself. Stay curious, but stay safe, too!

Do you need a quick answer to your question? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers concerning the dark web.

What is the dark web?

The “dark web” is a collective term for websites that are only accessible using the Tor browser. These websites are not accessible via Google Chrome, Firefox, or other popular browsers.

In the media, the dark web is often portrayed as a dangerous place, but there are also legitimate websites on the dark web that don’t necessarily pose any danger. Learn more about what you can find on the dark web here.

What is the surface web?

The surface web comprises all of the websites that can be visited through browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox. The surface web is the internet as most people know it. Facebook, Amazon, Google, Netflix, and this very article are all part of the surface web.

What is the deep web?

The deep web includes sites that can only be visited by using a password or other means of authentication. Think of your email inbox and Facebook page, but also corporate databases, student portals, and e-commerce seller platforms. In some countries, the term “deep web” is used to refer to the “dark web.”

How do I get to the dark web?

What is Tor?

Tor stands for “The Onion Router” and is a special browser that allows you to visit dark websites. Besides being the gateway to the dark web, Tor also offers enhanced privacy for its users.

What kind of sites can I find on the dark web?

Most websites on the dark web can be put in one (or multiple) of the following categories:

Is the dark web legal?

Yes, the dark web is legal in most countries. However, it is possible that some websites or that some content on dark web websites is illegal.

Moreover, repressive governments restrict access to the dark web and to Tor in an attempt to limit free access to information. If you want to find out more, read our articles on censorship and our discussion of the history of the dark web.

Which browser can I use to visit the dark web?

How to Access the Dark Web: Guide to Browsing Dark Web using TOR Browser

The World Wide Web (WWW), much like real life, is so massive that it would take you a lifetime to traverse every nook and cranny. To compound that fact, by the time you were halfway done, so much more content would have been created and updated that you’d have to start all over again.

All of this is well known, but how many of you are aware that the content you usually encounter on the web is barely the tip of a massive iceberg of information?

Table of Content

The Hidden Internet

Imagine a real iceberg – The top protrudes above the water and is visible, yet the real bulk of the iceberg is below that, unseen.

The WWW is similar, in which the regular sites we visit are the top of that iceberg. This includes common sites such as Wikipedia, Google, and even the millions of blogs that come and go daily.

Beneath the water lurks the deep and dark, hidden from view for various reasons, the Dark Web.

Less nefarious is the information that skims the surface of the Dark Web, in a zone called the Deep Web. That belongs to large corporates or governments and is never exposed to the public, such as medical records, government reports, financial records, and such. These are kept away from search engines and behind powerful firewalls to protect them.

It’s truly in the depths of the Dark Web that things get more shady – and oftentimes dangerous.

The Deep Web vs Dark Web

In the case of the Deep Web, since personal records, government documents and such are not meant for public view in the first place, those are understandably kept safe. However, they still are mostly connected to the Internet since much of that information forms an ecosystem for many surface web applications.

The Dark Web is slightly more complicated. This part of the WWW is often run on networks of private servers, allowing communication only via specific means. This enables a high degree of anonymity and makes it difficult for authorities to shut down.

Unfortunately, this has led to the Dark Web to become a place where many illegal or immoral activities take place.

What’s hidden in the Dark Web?

If you’ve ever heard of cybercrime, you’ll probably know that the cybercriminals of today are after more than just money. They take literally anything of value, which means credit card information, personal information and more. All of these things are commodities on the Dark Web, to be bought, sold or traded.

Aside from that, there are also illegal business dealings that can’t be conducted on the surface web. Almost anything can be bought on the Dark Web as long as you’re willing to pay. Items available include firearms, illegal drugs, illegal wildlife, or even services such as the rental of a hitman!

Finally, there is the most depraved and undesirable of all – those who deal in the sickest and most perverse types of pornography, which is illegal is almost every part of the world.

How to Access Dark Web Websites

Warning: The Dark Web is a dangerous place. Many scammers and even more dangerous individuals lurk therein. We highly urge users to exercise caution when experimenting in this area. All content published here is for educational purposes only. WebHostingSecretRevealed.net does not suggest, recommend, or advise users to be active on the Dark Web.

1. Download and install the TOR browser

Despite its current usage as a browser that is often used to access parts of the Dark Web, TOR (aka. the Dark Web browser) was originally developed to help safeguard US Intelligence online communications.

TOR is a variant of the popular Firefox web browser, modified to allow users to browse the web anonymously. The browser is designed to block or advise against user attempts to do things that might reveal their identity, such as resizing the dimensions of the browser window, for example.

While you’re waiting for TOR to download, take the time to stick a piece of dark tape over your webcam lens. You never know what might happen.

And also – check out the following introduction video by TOR.

2. Consider paying for a VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are services that offer secure servers that allow private access to the web. These servers mask your origin and may emulate locations from many other places in the world. Data that passes through VPN tunnels is also encrypted.

Although TOR masks your identity, it does not hide your location.

NordVPN for your Dark Web tour

For those who have not used a VPN service before, you might as well sign up with one of the best: NordVPN. Don’t worry though as they have a 30-day risk-free money back guarantee period for which you can evaluate their services.

3. Sign up for a secure email address

Here are a few that you might like to consider*:

4. Dive in to the Dark Web

.onion is a domain exclusively used on the Dark Web. These are similar to regular domains, but cannot be accessed without a specialized browser like TOR.

Dark Websites to Visit

Some of them are relatively harmless that you can try out, others… well, let’s say a new adventure awaits. Bear in mind that you may bump into strange (and again, highly illegal) things on the Dark Web.

Stay safe. Be very caution of what you click or download from the Dark Web.

5. Searching the Dark Web

Word of caution – Navigating the Dark Web is slightly different. Remember the phase that often tossed about: ‘Google is your friend’? The problem is that Google is also a massive data privacy nightmare and you don’t want that albatross hanging around your neck as you navigate the dark web.

DuckDuckGo is your friend

Enter DuckDuckGo, a privacy-focused search engine that won’t keep track of everything you do – or the sites you visit.

Alternatively, you can start your journey with a Dark Web Search Engine like Ahmia and Deep Search.

Dark Web Security Guide

Since we’ve established that there are some truly terrifying things happening on the Dark Web, let’s look at some ways you can avoid them, if you really insist on peeking.

1. Make sure your Tor browser is up to date

2. Use VPN for extra protection

As I’ve mentioned, the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is highly recommended – they help to protect your online privacy, keep your identity safe and protect all data that’s being sent to and from your device. But make sure the VPN you’re using meets a few basic criteria.

For starters, you’ll want to choose one which is based out of a country without strict data retention laws, like NordVPN which is based in the Panama. Top quality service providers like this help assure your privacy and security well.

Best VPN for the Dark Web

When looking for a VPN for Dark Web surfing, there are certain criteria you need to be aware of:

Here the three VPNs we recommend for Dark Web:

* Note: ExpressVPN is the only VPN provider on Onion Network – this means you can buy directly from their website on the Dark Web – giving it an extra layer protection.

3. Stop using Macros

Macros and apps which run scripts like JavaScript open a whole new can of worms and raise your risk profile considerably. Some normal sites like YouTube need them, but if a site on the dark web is asking you to enable scripts, think twice. You will be at high risk of virus or Malware infections.

4. Watch what you download

The logic is like the above, to avoid Virus and Malware, but please watch what you download on the dark web. Remember, malicious code can be embedded in almost any file type and you won’t know until it’s too late. If you must, use a virtual machine to do so, as this will isolate the file form the rest of your OS.

5. Change your mindset

Many people browse the web daily with abandon and even with increased cyber threats today, there is still the mindset that the web is a safe place to just stumble around.

Always be security conscious and aware. Trust no one.

There are a ton of other things you should take note of, but here’s one final tip – Be cautious of making friends on the dark web, it’s not Facebook.

Frequent Asked Questions on Accessing Dark Web

The history of the hidden web is almost as old as the history of Internet itself. We found no official record of an actual “start date” but we believe the Dark Web we know today begun in year 2000 with the release of Freenet.

Sites on the deep web are simply not indexed by regular search engines. The deep web itself isn’t illegal, but some sites may engage in illicit activities. Joining in those activities may be illegal.

Much like real life, there is always an element of danger online and the dark web is no different. Safety is relative and it is best to increase your online protection no matter what you do. One way of doing that is by using a VPN, which can encrypt your data and hide your IP address from prying eyes. Find best VPN in my other article.

The Dark Web is an unregulated market where people can buy just about anything. This includes firearms, illegal drugs, illegal wildlife, horrific videos, fake passports, Netflix accounts, credit card information, or even the rental of a hitman.

Using the Tor network makes your identity harder to be tracked, but not impossible. It is safer to use a dedicated privacy service such.

Wrapping Up

If you’ve tested some the stuff in this article out, by now you’ve probably realized that what I’ve given you is a highly sanitized version of what’s really available on the Dark Web. Seriously, some of the things are so illegal that I won’t even type them out here.

The Dark Web can be a place of real freedom. For example, you can openly discuss anything political, no matter how left or right wing, without fear of prosecution from your local authorities. Unfortunately, that’s intermixed with a lot of, well, not so nice things.

Enjoy the freedom but always remember, if you try to stay anonymous but still get caught, you WILL be charged for whatever illegal activities you have partaken in on the Dark Web. After all, they even caught Saddam Hussein, didn’t they?

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How to access the dark web

Tips & tricks

Marcus

on October 20, 2021

Last updated: July 20, 2022

You may have heard the terms darknet, dark web, and deep web used interchangeably but there are distinctions between the three. So before we take this deep dive, let’s first define what the surface web is, then clear up what these other terms mean.

Surface web vs. deep web vs. dark web

Darknet refers to a restricted overlay network that is only accessible with specific software or authorization. Darknets are specifically designed for anonymity.

With that out of the way, let’s get onto accessing the dark web—specifically Tor (which stands for The Onion Router), the largest darknet.

Accessing the dark web on your desktop or laptop

We suggest using either Tor Browser or Brave to browse the dark web.

Using Tor Browser

Note: Closing Tor will automatically disable its connection to the Tor Network

On Brave

Accessing the dark web on your smartphone or tablet

On Android

Note: To disconnect, click the three vertical dots (⋮) on the address bar on the bottom right hand side of the screen and select “Quit.”

On iOS

Start with these dark web sites

You can’t just start surfing the dark web by typing something into Google. You’ll have to visit sites using their onion URLs or search with an onion search engine. Check out our recommended onion sites and search engines.

Combine VPN and Tor for extra security

While Tor by itself is a robust and secure privacy tool, combining it with a VPN is an ironclad way to ensure that your privacy isn’t compromised. Additionally, using Tor with a VPN lets you access the Tor Network in situations and locations where it is blocked.

FAQ: Accessing the dark web

Is it illegal to get on the dark web?

No, it is not illegal to get on the dark web. While the dark web is infamous for stories of illegal products or services, it also has legitimate uses—such as secure and anonymous communication and providing access to news in high-censorship countries. Simply accessing the dark web is not illegal, but illegal activity is illegal whether you do it via the dark web or not.

What’s illegal on the dark web?

Like the surface web, the dark web has its fair share of illegal content. That said, the dark web is mostly known for illegal activity. This can include drug trade, sales of firearms and weapons, data leaks, and extreme pornography—including child pornography.

Where can I go on the dark web?

You can access the dark web from any computer; you just need to download Tor Browser or Brave. Then, there are plenty of legal sites to visit, from dark web search engines to Bitcoin wallets, privacy tools, and news sites.

What happens if you go on the dark web?

When you visit dark web sites, you’re connecting to websites on darknets, which are specifically designed for anonymity. Your browsing activity is both anonymous and private.

Mask your IP address with a VPN

30-day money-back guarantee

We take your privacy seriously. Try ExpressVPN risk-free.

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