What do you think about the dark web? do you know anything about Dark web? have you heard about the dark web before? How do you access the dark web? Is it legal or illegal? lots of question comes in your mind when you think about dark web.
I think you have heard this word before but you don’t have a clear concept of the dark wave. why so, you are reading this article.
before to start a talk about the dark web, I am going to have a small talk on the internet.
Internet is beyond your thought. Accessing the web through the traditional Browser is not complete internet OR reaching to the website through any search engine including google bing Yahoo etc also not the internet. This internet is only 4% of the complete internet.
The websites which are indexed by the search engines is called the clear web, and it is only 4% of internet rest is filled by deep web and dark web.
90% of internet things are filled by Deep web and 6% is dark web.
I hope you understand that the dark web part is more than the clear web on the internet. we are thinking the only 4% internet is completely internet but in fact, most of the part of the internet is covered by Deep web. it is 90% I will discuss the deep web in another post.
Article Contents
- What is the dark web?
- What will you get on Dark Web?
- Is the dark web safe place for you?
- How to access the dark web safely
- How to access the dark web with Tor Browser?
- Access dark web positively.
- Dark Web isn’t illegal but dangerous
- Online security tips to access the dark web and Maintain Your anonymity
- Conclusion
What is the Dark Web?
The simple definition of the dark web “dark web is a collection of websites that exist on the encrypted network. You cannot search these websites through the traditional search engine like Google And Bing. and also you cannot access these websites through the traditional web browser like Google Chrome, Opera, and Firefox, etc.
If you want to access the dark web you must use the Tor Browser which helps you to hide your IP address as well as access the encrypted network.
Most of the websites on the dark web hide their identity by using the Tor encrypted network.
You may know the TOR network is used for the hide your IP address only but you can also spoof your location with the help of this browser similar as VPN service.
And the end-user cannot be tracked and identified when using VPN and tor network together.
When the website is running through the Tor encrypted network has the same effect.
When you are using the Tor network your IP address bounces from the different layer of the encrypted network so this is very hard to find out the person behind the network.
Similar, it is very difficult to find out the person behind the website exists on the dark web. but it is not difficult to access the same website over the Tor network.
What will you get on Dark Web?
Dark web operates with the help of anonymity factors it may host harmless content as well as criminal ones.
But the dark web is known for dark/black and harmful content — meaning, illegal and sometimes disturbing content is copyrighted. For instance, here’s some example of illegal content you can find on the dark web.
#1 Stolen data and information
Group of hackers hacked into the websites and steal the data. and biggest data breaches happened from time to time worldwide.
Hackers are selling this stolen data on the dark web. this data may include bank information, bank credit/debit card information, username and passwords, hacked Netflix accounts and more.
When there’s been a data breach, there’s a chance the accessed information — from Social Security numbers to bank card numbers — will end up for sale on the dark web. You can also buy things like log-in credentials, hacked Netflix accounts, and more.
#2 Illicit substances
Silk Road is biggest market for illegal drugs and prescription drugs. You might also find toxic chemicals that can cause other types of damage.
#3 Disturbing and dangerous items and services.
You can get things like gore, murderers-for-hire, human trafficking, child pornography, body parts, counterfeit goods, and guns for sale can be found on the dark web.
In short, you can buy anything you can imagine It may legal or illegal including things you’d probably be better off not imagining.
What type of currency makes it possible to do business on the dark web? Financial transactions use Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency that helps assure buyers and sellers anonymity.
Is the dark web safe place for you?
The dark web is not safe in every moment but may be safe in some cases like think, legitimate content but it is not safe in other cases. If you are on the dark web you can’t feel completely safe like the clear web.
You should consider some safety issues before to access the dark web. Here are:
- Criminal element. You will find lots of websites are running by criminals. Beyond selling illegal goods and services, they may seek to exploit you and steal from you. Exploitation is always harmful to you.
- Breaking the law: You can be prosecuted for things you do on the dark web. It’s important to behave in an appropriate and legal manner.
- Suspicious links There are a bunch of hackers are on the dark web, they generate harmful link and send to you. If you click on any links, you may be taken to the material you might not want to see. It’s also possible that clicking a link or downloading a file could infect your device with malware and virus. They may affect your computer.
- Law enforcement most of the Law enforcement person officials operate on the dark web to catch people engaged in criminal activity. Like others on the dark web, law enforcement can do their work under a cloak of anonymity.
If you decide to get into the dark web, it’s smart to be selective about the websites you access.
How to access the dark web safely
If you want to access the dark web then always use VPN Service before using the Tor network. because when you are using only tor network it may possible to detect by ISP provider or other government agencies.
But when you are using the VPN before the Tor Browser then you will not be detected by ISP provider as well as other government agencies. and you will remain anonymously completely.
Even if you are using the Tor browser, your network traffic can still be traced back to you by government agencies and person with enough time and know-how, for example, NSA and FBI.
And remember, the Tor browser fell victim to an IP leak in April 2018. Nicknamed “TorMoil,” the flaw allowed a user’s operating system to connect to a remote host, bypassing the Tor Browser entirely. macOS and Linux users were most at risk.
Ergo, you should also use a VPN when connecting to the dark web. It will encrypt your web traffic, ensuring it’s hidden from snoopers even if there’s a similar repeat of last year’s issues.
Top 3 best VPN based on speed and anonymity are:
How to access the dark web with Tor Browser in 2 Steps?
Step 1: Install the Tor bundle on you computer
Before download tor browser bundle please check your VPN service is running. And also make sure to download tor browser bundle from the official tor project website
Double click on downloaded file > Select language > click Ok
Select location then click on Install follow the other instructions
After complete installation, go to the Tor Browser folder and click on the “Start Tor Browser” executable file inside it.
You will see a new window on the screen like the following image, click on the “Connet” button to connect the Tor network and open tor-browser
Step 2: Start Browsing .onion websites
When you open Tor browser in your computer, you will be redirected to the search engine DuckDuckGo automatically. We can say DuckDuckGo is the default search engine for tor browser due to anonymity behavior. It is designed to provide extra privacy, anonymity, and encryption while searching on the web. but this is not a dark web version of google. you can this search engine for your daily life and can be accessed by any traditional browser.
Fortunately, there are Dark Web search engines that will bring you to.onion sites. These include:
- Welcome to Dark Web Links (http://bznjtqphs2lp4xdd.onion/)
- Candle (http://gjobqjj7wyczbqie.onion/)
- not Evil (http://hss3uro2hsxfogfq.onion/)
Just make sure to always turn on your VPN before opening Tor and starting a web surfing session.
Access dark web positively
If you are doing positive things on dark web is not more dangerous. If you are involved in illegal activity 100% put you in trouble.
If you are using dark web use it in a positive way. Some of the main features are below.
#1 Exchange information in countries with internet censorship
You can share your view and read others view on the dark web from an internet censorship country. There are tons of countries worldwide, including China, Qatar, Cuba, Turkey, and Russia censor online content that promotes political dissidence or what they consider obscene and punishable. (e.g. content relating to homosexuality).
The Dark Web has lots of forums where you can share such type of information without any restriction.
#2 Expose abuses of power
If you are fighting against abuses of powerful person, politician and government. And you have fear of your life. then you can use the dark web to say your opinion in front of the public.
The Dark Web allows journalists and political activists to report on stories that could get them in trouble with dictatorial regimes or governments bent on infringing on an individual’s right to privacy.
WikiLeaks is one of popular way to share such type of information. If you have sensitive documents. So you can upload directly on WikiLeaks with the help of following the link: http://wlupld3ptjvsgwqw.onion/wlupload.en.html
#3 Buy restricted goods
Although we are not promoting to buy illegal products and other goods, we can’t help but acknowledge certain instances in which such purchases could be justifiable.
For example, some painkillers and sleep aids that are common in Europe but it is illegal in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries. Plus, with an estimated 15.5% of Americans without health insurance (and many more with high deductible plans) many people have no access to the prescription medications they need.
That said, the lack of oversight on the Dark Web makes this extremely risky – though some in dire straits are likely to take that risk.
#4 Buy legal goods anonymously
Life is a rich tapestry, and we don’t have to list the type of stuff people buy that they might want to keep private. Buying on Dark Web marketplaces can add a level of privacy to your shopping experience that you just won’t find on Amazon.
And for the particular security conscious, the Dark Web can simply provide an extra layer of protection when buying anti-surveillance tools.
It should be noted, however, that while the products themselves may be legal, there are definitely instances in which sellers hawk merchandise that’s been illegally obtained or stolen.
#5 Simply use the internet anonymously
You will find lots of website on the dark web is similar to clear web. And these websites are completely safe for users. Such type of website is including blogs, gaming sites, social media networks, and super-encrypted email platforms.
You can find some of the popular email services are Proton Mail (https://protonirockerxow.onion/login) and MailtoTor (http://mail2tor2zyjdctd.onion/).
Dark Web isn’t illegal but dangerous
If you are searching on the dark web and browsing different -2 website then it is not illegal. If you are carrying out illegal activity there then You will get into trouble.
Police always include in his operation involved the Dark Web and child pornography, drugs, or hackers dumping stolen data are not infrequent.
Simply dark web is not general place because it is full of scammers, hackers, defaulters, and another type of bad guys. If something goes wrong with you, you can’t complain anywhere.
You can maintain the safety on the dark web by simply following the basic rules as on the clear web.
Always click on link wisely It may mislead you. You will avoid sites or links that advertise illegal, dangerous content. you don’t want to see it
Conclusion
Now you have understood dark web is not as dangerous as you think. You will remain safe if you follow the same basic security tips.
If you are planning to access the dark web the always use VPN and tor together. I hope you like this article if yes then share with your friends.
If you have any question please leave in the comment box.
Thanks for reading
Cheers!