To review security settings, click on the onion logo in the top left and select “Security Settings”, which will bring up a slider offering a choice of the default of standard, or safer and safest. In “safer” mode, JavaScript is disabled on HTTP sites, some fonts are disabled, and all audio and video won’t run automatically, you’ll have to click to play. Slide up to the “safest” level, and as well as those settings, JavaScript is disabled on all sites. Google doesn’t index these sites, but other search engines do, including DuckDuckGo, and there are lists — including one run by Muffett — so you can find what you’re looking for. Stay informed about the latest darknet marketplaces, secure browsing practices, and privacy tools.
- Outdated software can have vulnerabilities that may put you at risk.
- Tails is a portable, live operating system that offers high-level privacy with built-in dark web access.
- On that note, if you’re having trouble telling the two apart (including their strengths and weaknesses), check out our comparison of Tor and VPNs.
- Explore this FAQ section to get answers to some common queries about this hidden part of the internet.
- When you’re done surfing or shopping on the dark web, don’t forget to shut down Tails.
- Everything else on the internet is located on either the deep web or the dark web – and they aren’t as easily accessible, or as safe.
Legitimate Uses Of The Dark Web
- Some markets even sell privacy tools, but you are more likely to run across counterfeit prescription pills and stolen identities.
- Always verify a site’s legitimacy before visiting – onion addresses are long, random strings, making it easier for malicious actors to create lookalike addresses for phishing.
- And while the dark web isn’t synonymous with illicit activities, it’s undeniably the breeding ground for the internet’s black markets, hacker forums, malware vendors, and other illegal activity.
- This architecture protects your IP address even when the Workstation is before malware that may compromise it.
- The reputation of the dark web has often been linked to criminal intent or illegal content, and “trading” sites where users can purchase illicit goods or services.
Again, they can use various tools and technologies for this, like tracking tools or social engineering techniques. This is another reason it’s best to use a VPN and be careful on the dark web to preserve anonymity. “I never realized how accessible and secure the dark web could be until I used Forest VPN.
Essential Tools For Secure Dark Web Access
As explained earlier, you won’t be able to access the dark web the same way you would the surface web. You can’t type dark web addresses into your usual browser or search for them via Google. Instead, you have to use a specialist browser, designed to navigate the dark web. A phishing website or link is one that appears legitimate but is actually a trick designed to make you hand over your personal information to hackers and other bad actors. Often, these sites are made to look just like real, trusted platforms, such as banks, social media sites, or email providers. Firstly, it could jeopardize your anonymity if you submit any kind of personal information during a dark web browsing session.
Will Visiting The Dark Web Attract Attention?
The BBC news website has a special .onion site, which you need to access via the dark web. Its goal is to offer anonymous access to the content without being censored, no matter where you live. The good news is that the BBC Onion site is an international edition.
#1 Install A VPN
Once you have those, there are several ways to tunnel through the dark web. This multi-layered redirection ensures your actions leave no trace, offering a high level of anonymity. Tor relays are servers run by volunteers, designed to keep your activities private and untraceable. The Dark Web is a hidden part of the internet, completely different from the clear web we all use daily. When you search for something on Google or Bing, you’re using the clear web.
What Is Tor?
By following this dark web access guide, applying Tor browser safety practices, and knowing when it’s safe to browse the dark web, you can navigate responsibly without compromising your security. The deep web is every part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines, like private messages from your social media or your online banking portal. The dark web is a small section of the deep web that is hidden on purpose, requiring specific software to access. Another challenge in navigating the dark web is the transient nature of its websites.
Install TAILS
You’ll need to find and navigate to the specific dark web addresses on your own. While the dark web has a reputation for hosting nefarious activities, it also serves legitimate purposes. It’s a platform for privacy and free speech, offering resources for individuals in countries with restrictive internet policies.
Since your traffic goes through a series of relays, getting encrypted or decrypted along the way, things slow way down. This means Tor is a lousy option for streaming video, online gaming, or downloading files (torrenting). VPN-over-Tor breaks dark web compatibility, reintroduces trust in the VPN provider, and creates unnecessary complexity. It’s extremely rare and only useful in very specific cases, like if your VPN is only accessible through Tor. With this setup, your ISP sees Tor usage, and your VPN provider sees the final traffic after it leaves Tor. Avoid fraudulent Tor-like browsers that compromise your online security.
All you’ll need is an 8GB thumb drive, an installation package, and a couple of minutes to get things up and running. I strongly recommend surfing on the dark web using virtual machine software instead of your locally installed Windows. Because it’s easier to contain malware in a virtual environment, which can be fully controlled. Well, VPN over Tor is basically its opposite – instead of going through the VPN first, the signal passes through the Tor network, before going through the VPN. There’s no broad consensus on dark web safety, but you at least need to use Tor and VPN together.
Many users now leverage Tor to browse both the public Internet and the deeper parts of the web privately. The Internet is sizable with millions of web pages, databases, and servers all run 24 hours a day. But the so-called “visible” Internet (aka surface web or open web) — sites that can be found using search engines like Google and Yahoo — is just the tip of the iceberg. By following these straightforward steps, you significantly reduce the risk of exposure, protect your digital identity, and ensure a secure and anonymous browsing experience on the Dark Web. Indeed, Facebook, The New York Times and now even the CIA have sites on the dark web, hosting “onion” versions of their pages that can be accessed via the Tor browser.
The Dark Web refers specifically to websites that exist behind multiple layers of encryption and cannot be found by using traditional search engines or visited by using traditional web browsers. Identity theft monitoring is critical if you want to keep your private information from being misused. All types of personal data can be distributed online for a profit. Passwords, physical addresses, bank account numbers, and social security numbers circulate in the dark web all the time. You may already be aware that malicious actors can use these to harm your credit, engage in financial theft, and breach of your other online accounts.
You can also use the Tails operating system to further protect yourself. If you’re just browsing the dark web out of curiosity, Tor, or a Tor and VPN configuration is safe enough. If you’re trying to hide from an oppressive government or want to be a whistle-blower for something illegal, take as many steps as you can to be safe. The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines.
By proactively employing these detailed, actionable security measures, you can confidently mitigate risks and safely utilize the dark web while preserving your privacy and anonymity in 2025. Governments worldwide have intensified online surveillance in the name of national security, while corporations increasingly monetize personal data. As digital rights erode, anonymity online is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury for many individuals. Ruheni Mathenge specializes in writing long-form content dedicated to helping individuals and businesses navigate and understand the constantly evolving online security and web freedom worlds. His articles have appeared in many respected technology publications. Ruheni explains complicated technical concepts clearly and simply.
Also, it is worth noting that using Tor may draw attention from authorities if they suspect you are engaging in illegal activities or if your online behavior raises suspicion. Generally, it’s important to use Tor responsibly and in accordance with local laws and regulations. However, while using Tor itself is not illegal, some illegal activities can occur through the network, such as the distribution of child pornography or the sale of illegal drugs. It’s important to note that engaging in illegal activities is still illegal, even through the Tor network. Fortunately, it’s not a criminal offense if you simply search the dark web, but if you use it to carry out illegal activities, you get in trouble.
