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. Leaks of personal data can also lead to damage to your reputation via social fraud. The data you inadvertently leave online when you use the internet. McAfee provides everyday internet users with the tools they need to surf safely and confidently. It’s important to note that the dark web should not be confused with the deep web, which is a part of the internet individuals access regularly.
This is probably going to be one of the longest posts I’ve written on 99Bitcoins, but also the most interesting of them all. If you just want to go ahead and learn how to access the Darknet, you can skip to the bottom of the post and watch the video tutorial. I’m assuming you’ve heard the terms Darknet, Dark web or Deep web before. If you have, then you’re probably wondering how one can access these hidden corners of the Internet. To be sure your activity on the dark web is protected, I recommend only using a premium, reputable service.
Do I have to use a VPN?
Most of the content on the internet is, in fact, part of the deep web. It includes things like your email inbox, company databases, member-only areas, and anything you won’t find on Google. Those who are working remotely from coffee shops using unsecured Wi-Fi networks sometimes end up sharing everything they do online with threat actors. People who click on malicious links on social media also freely share their personal information. Unlike Tor, however, it cannot be used to access the public internet. It can only be used to access hidden services specific to the I2P network.
And with many unfamiliar looking sites on the dark web, it’s harder to distinguish safe websites from shady ones, and easier to fall victim. Avast BreachGuard monitors the dark web for data breaches around the clock. If a breach is detected, BreachGuard will notify you right away and help you take the steps you need to secure your data immediately. Even if you use Tor, this doesn’t mean that you’re secure. Because Tor Browser has software vulnerabilities, the same as every other browser. It’s also based on Firefox, so it inherits some of its vulnerabilities from there as well.
Tor
It enforces a strict no-logs policy and uses military-grade encryption to keep you anonymous. You can also try ExpressVPN risk-free because it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you find it’s not for you, you can easily claim a full refund. The reviews published on vpnMentor are written by experts that examine the products according to our strict reviewing standards. The rankings we publish may take into consideration the affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. If you take the necessary precautions, surfing the Dark Web will not get you hurt, robbed, and mugged.
Let’s unpack both of these concepts in terms of the “dark web browser” and the websites themselves. 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. However, legal parties have made use of this framework as well. Visible web, refers to the indexable parts of the internet. In other words, content in this portion of the World Wide Web is readily accessible and searchable with search engines. The surface web accounts for roughly 5% of information on the internet.
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Do not make the mistake of thinking the TOR browser guarantees full anonymity and safety, the Reality is far from that and very complex. I will write about the dangers of compromised exit nodes in the TOR Network in a future. Criminal forums and marketplaces exist on the dark web and are only accessible with specific network configurations and browsers. Unlike standard web pages that collect user data, privacy and anonymity are always paramount on dark websites.
- But more often than not, it’s tied to the world of cybercrime.
- You can even try ExpressVPN risk-free because it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Link lists like The Hidden Wiki are another option, but even indices also return a frustrating number of timed-out connections and 404 errors.
- You could also use a virtual machine instead of booting Tails from a USB or optical drive, such as VirtualBox.If you’re on a Mac, you should be fine if you use a VPN and Tor.
- Now, I’d like to recommend NordVPN, which offers strong security features like 256-bit encryption, and they also have an easy-to-use app.
In case you were looking for more Dark Web sites, we have curated more than 160 Dark Web links in the following table. These are the ones that may be a little naughtier in nature. By that, we don’t mean a spank on the butt, but you may end up with some jail time. Everyone needs some space on the web sometimes and SecureDrop is exactly that. However, it’s a little more transitionary, since it was designed to allow whistleblowers a way to submit stuff to media companies anonymously. TORCH is a very simple and minimalistic search engine you can try out if you ever get sick of the friendly duck.
Being hidden doesn’t translate into being completely protected from the possibility of tracking, or, when it comes to illegal activities, of risk. It’s worth noting that some countries more than others may take a dim view of attempts to stay in the shadows. As search engine crawlers do not catalog these pages, you would need to know the exact link to access a website in this area of the internet. This could include government services to access your records, health care services, members-only areas, intranets, or corporate resources. No longer restricted to dial-up, many of us now consider access to a stable internet connection as a critical aspect of our daily lives — and a right.
