A small guide prepared by RD_tech and thiz site includes some copyrights of other websites.
The dark web can only be accessed through an anonymity network like Tor. Tor encrypts data sent to and from your device, hiding the contents of your internet traffic. But your internet service provider and government agencies can still see that you’re using Tor. Even though specific online activity is anonymized, Tor’s reputation as a criminal tool means simply connecting to the Tor network might be enough to raise eyebrows and draw unwanted attention. Some countries block Tor altogether.
If you want to hide the fact that you’re using Tor from your internet service provider and other third parties, we recommend using a VPN. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN encrypts all of a device’s internet traffic and routes it through a middleman server in a location of your choosing. The VPN hides Tor traffic inside the encrypted tunnel, so no one but you and the VPN provider can see you’re using Tor.
ExpressVPNOur #1 choice for the dark web. Secure and fast. Has a .onion site. Accepts bitcoin. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN Best budget VPN. Zero logs, tons of servers, and strong security.
Select a server location and connect to the VPN. Wait for the connection to be established.
Open the Tor Browser
Surf the dark web!
Using this simple setup, your internet traffic is encrypted twice: first by Tor, then by the VPN. It then goes to the VPN server, where the VPN’s layer of encryption is removed, before going on to a Tor entry node. Your ISP only sees encrypted traffic going to a server and cannot detect that you are using Tor or connecting to Tor entry nodes.
Best VPNs for the dark web
The downside is that the VPN provider can see that you’re using Tor, even though your ISP can’t. With that in mind, you’ll need a VPN provider you can trust. We chose the best VPNs for the darknet based on the following criteria:
No logs containing identifying information
Strong encryption and leak protection
Fast and reliable speeds
Special features for Tor users
Anonymous payment options (Bitcoin etc)
The given below is the explanation from Nortan "How to safely accessing the deep and dark webs"
Accessing the dark web with Tor browser
Getting to the dark web is actually a lot easier than you might think. All you have to do is download a dark web browser, like the Tor browser.
Once you install a dark web browser on your device, it functions just like a regular browser: type in a URL, and off you go.
However, finding the material you’re looking for on the dark web is more difficult than using a search engine like Google. The dark web doesn’t have an index or ranking system to help you find what you need.
There are such things as dark web search engines. One called the Uncensored Hidden Wiki offers some guidance to content on the dark web, but it may include illegal websites.
How to safely browse the deep web and dark web
If you browse the deep web — even if it’s just to check out your dental bill — it’s a good idea to equip your device with trusted security software and keep it up to date. We already talked about using a VPN on public networks.
Here are a few tips and tools to help stay safe when using Tor and other browsers. There’s a lot more to consider, but this should give you an idea of some of the issues — good and bad — to consider.
Tor is known for providing online anonymity, so it can be effective for sharing sensitive information with family or reporting corruption or abuse.
Keep Tor and Tor applications updated. Make sure your device’s operating system is also up to date.
Don’t use your regular email on websites when using Tor. While Tor is designed with anonymity in mind, providing your regular email address could expose your identity.
Browsing the dark web, and online security
The presence of illegal activity calls into question the “character” of some dark web denizens. That’s why it’s important to take care to help protect your personal information and identity.
Poking around on the dark web is where some people get themselves into trouble. Unlike the deep web, which contains important and useful information, the dark web is riddled with illegal and unconscionable activity.
Because Tor servers keep users and publishers completely anonymous, there’s no way to regulate or control the content, products, and services being offered inside the dark web. Plus, there’s no way to trace communications or keep financial tabs on responsible parties because all payments are made and received using Bitcoin, a digital currency that operates independently of a central bank.
On the flip side, there are publications on the dark web that believe it’s the only way to obtain and sustain a truly free press.
Before you get lost in the dark, be sure to educate yourself on the dangers of the dark web. Make sure you install and run strong security software on your computer and devices to help ensure the privacy and security of your data.
To learn more about how the deep and dark webs work, check out the documentary “The Most Dangerous Town on the Internet – Episode 2: Where Cybercrime Goes to Hide.”
In general, don’t underestimate the darkest side of the dark web. Here are a few additional things to keep in mind.
Browsing the dark web can be dangerous
There are people and things on the dark web that you’ll want to avoid. Here are a few of them:
Viruses. Some websites could infect your devices with viruses, and there are a lot of different types of viruses to watch out for. Remember to never download anything from websites you don’t trust.
Hackers. You can find hacker forums on the dark web. You can hire computer hackers to do illegal activities. Not surprisingly, a lot of these people would be willing to hack your devices.
Webcam hijacking. A website on the dark web may try to get a remote administration tool — also known as a “RAT” — onto your device. That can lead to someone hijacking your webcam — essentially, letting them see what you’re up to through your device’s camera lens. It’s a smart practice to cover your webcam with a piece of paper or tape if you’re not using it.
Dark web content may be illegal
Anytime you’re in the company of illegal drugs, illegal content, and other sordid online activities, you could risk landing in legal trouble.
A mistaken keystroke or simple curiosity might not be a reliable defense. Here are two examples of dark web content and activities that would raise legal concerns.
Sharing pictures and videos of child pornography. In one FBI arrest, the perpetrator traded material on a website with more than 100,000 registered users. The FBI busted him.
Purchasing illegal goods or services. If you buy illegal drugs or hire a hit man, you can be arrested for committing an illegal act. But browsing a website that offers those two things would not be illegal.
Dos and don’ts on the dark web
Law enforcement officials have an interest in stopping illegal activity on the dark web. When they do, there are legal consequences.
Here are some notable cases where law enforcement took down criminals doing business on the dark web.
Silk Road. This online black market sold illegal drugs. It was launched in 2011. Total revenue was estimated at US$1.2 billion. Founder Ross Ulbricht was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
AlphaBay. This was another online black market, launched in 2014. It grew to an estimated 10 times the size of Silk Road. Merchandise ranged from drugs to breached data. Alleged founder Alexandre Cazes was arrested. He was found dead in a Thai jail cell, apparently by suicide, several days later.
Hansa. This online black market expanded after AlphaBay was shut down and vendors moved to the platform. But Dutch police had already infiltrated the marketplace and seized information tied to its operation. Police shut down Hansa in 2017.
Why do the deep web and the dark web exist?
The deep web and the dark web both offer a degree of privacy and anonymity.
The deep web helps protect your personal information that you probably want to stay private. But if you access your bank account, it’s not entirely private. The bank knows you’ve accessed your account.
The dark web operates on the principle of total anonymity. What you do there is your business. With certain precautions, what you do there can’t be tracked or traced to you.
Freedom of speech also is an issue, and some people would make an argument for privacy and anonymity based on the First Amendment. That’s one reason why law-abiding citizens might value the privacy of Tor and other dark web browsers.
Anonymity can have positive effects — like being able to express views that are unpopular, but not illegal. And the dark web helps make things like that possible.
NortonLifeLock offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Our goal is to increase awareness about cyber safety. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses.
No one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime. Not all products, services and features are available on all devices or operating systems. System requirement information on norton.com.
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