It’s somewhere Google and Bing don’t index, and you need special tools to get to it.
Myth 1: The Dark Web Is Only Used For Illegal Activities
Tor Browser has an official Android app if you want to use it on mobile. For iOS users, while there’s no official Tor app for iOS, a couple of options, including Orbot and Onion Browser, recommended by the Tor Project itself, exist. This is an estimated reading time to let you know how long it will take you to read all the content on this particular PrivacySavvy.com page.
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Well-known news websites, such as ProPublica, have launched deep websites. Meanwhile, Facebook also offers dark web access to their social network. When you install a VPN, all of your activities on the dark web will be hidden from unwanted snoops from your ISP or the FBI. The VPN is a second layer of extra protection, on top of the protection that the Tor network already offers. Staying safe on the unregulated dark web requires vigilance, and its seedy reputation, fostered by controversy like that surrounding Silk Road, is well-earned. The safest and best dark web browsing tool for Android users is the official Tor Browser APK from the Tor Project site.
It’s the side of the internet that’s used for transactions and conversations that need to stay anonymous. Because it’s the most secure option when it comes to anonymous browsing. It protects your identity, hides your location, and gives you access to .onion sites that are not available on the regular web. That’s why it’s the go-to choice for journalists, activists… and, of course, curious internet users.
This means your activities cannot be traced or your browser history exposed. These sites are a hybrid tutorial-underground where wannabe hackers ask questions and professionals sell their services or stolen data. With the onion browser, you can access ordinary HTTPS websites on the web.
Don’t be fooled into going to a malicious clone site that is designed to extract your information. Some people regard it as a more decentralized and resilient alternative to Tor. While the Tor Project relies mainly on a centralized directory of relays, I2P uses a distributed dynamic routing system, which makes it a much more robust alternative. To access the dark web, you must have specialized software, such as the Tor Browser. It creates a space for staying anonymous, which itself is kind of a double-edged sword.
Download And Install Tor
People often make the grave mistake of divulging their private information to the seller or anyone else who can take advantage of it and harm the user in many ways. Tor supports a few systems only – Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. IOS is the only exception, leaving iPhone and iPad users without the option to go to this part of the internet.
The dark web hosts various types of illegal content, such as stolen data, child exploitation material, and prohibited items. As an average Internet user, you may accidentally stumble upon such content. Your access to illegal content, even if it is unintentional, can violate laws in many countries.
- For example, the BBC website is not accessible in such countries.
- The dark web consists of websites that have hidden IP addresses and use encryption software to keep their locations and users anonymous.
- These forums look similar to those found on the clear web, but the content discussed and shared by the anonymous chatters can evade censorship on public sites and surveillance.
- Individual sites on the dark web look much like they do on the regular web, though a lot of them are a bit more rough around the edges.
De-anonymization And Surveillance
Alternatively, if the website has turned the onion URL into a link, you can click on that in the Tor browser, and it will automatically open the dark website. Download the Linux version from torproject.org, extract the file, and run the start-tor-browser script. Secure communication for journalists, accessing privacy-focused forums, and whistleblower submissions. Combining it with VPN and good digital hygiene improves security.
Tips To Stay Safe When Using The Dark Web
The exit node removes the final layer of encryption on your data. While this doesn’t tell the exit node what your original IP address or your geographical location is, it could spy on your activity if the website you’re visiting isn’t a secured HTTPS website. Similar to onion websites, I2P lets you access hidden I2P websites (also known as eepsites). Unlike Tor, the I2P network is decentralized and peer-to-peer, with each connected client involved in transmitting data traffic across the world. This traffic is transmitted in a single direction through the network, making tracking almost impossible.
Top VPN Deals
Simply put, onion routing is how Tor works, and how dark web websites can be browsed without anyone except you knowing. But fortunately, knowing how to use Tor Browser doesn’t require a PhD in computer science — it’s surprisingly easy and user-friendly. This essentially just makes certain that your VPN is working and that your personal IP address isn’t exposed for malicious actors prowling the dark web. To conduct this check, just turn on your VPN and head over to ipleak.net and dnsleaktest.com to see if the IP address displayed is the one from your VPN. With your VPN up and running and all of your other apps closed down, you’re finally on the brink of actually accessing the dark web.
This dark web browser utilizes a decentralized distributed data store to deliver information. Freenet has a “darknet” mode that allows connections only to registered “trusted” nodes, differentiating it from other anonymous networks. Freenet stores encrypted files across its distributed network, making it difficult to trace the origin or content of information shared within its dark web ecosystem.
Best VPNs To Use For Accessing The Dark Web Safely In 2025
In this article, we will unpack everything you should know about what the dark web is, how it works, how to surf it safely, and more. Just because the dark web feels anonymous doesn’t mean it’s invisible—especially to U.S. authorities. Versatile copywriter Heidi Edwards, a marketing graduate from WGU, crafts compelling content across diverse sectors, from eco-conservation to tech. Self-taught in WordPress and graphic design, she runs the successful Aultman Group. Just remember, besides using one of these browsers, be sure to pair it with a good VPN service too. Navigate to the Tor Project’s Download page, select Download for Windows, and then double-click the downloaded .exe file to install the browser.
Introduction: Unveiling Tor And The Dark Web
If you must use one, ensure it’s a VPN with a strict, independently audited no-logs policy. The same applies to downloading files, which often contain tracker elements. You should avoid downloading files via Tor to maximize your anonymity. For example, in Safer mode, JavaScript is turned off on non-HTTPS (insecure) sites, but in Safest mode, JavaScript is turned off entirely for all sites. Images load normally in Safer mode, but some complex images may not load in Safest mode.
The websites are hidden in layers of encryptions and use dot (.) onion domains, which is why they are called onion sites. Dark Search is a dark web search engine praised for its simple interface and strong security features. It emphasizes user privacy by not tracking user activity or storing search history.
Some dark websites serve as platforms for whistleblowers to anonymously share sensitive information. Examples include SecureDrop and GlobaLeaks, which are used by journalists and activists to securely receive documents and tips. Considered to be the oldest search engine on Tor, Torch doesn’t use web trackers, values user privacy, and won’t censor your search results or keep your search history. This means you’ll have access to pretty much anything out there on the dark web. This may not always be a good thing, though, so consider yourself warned. Even the threat of it can make people fall for scams, like this dark web fraud revealed by the FTC.
