You can see why this ecosystem would be so attractive to those involved in criminal activity. For instance, your Facebook posts are unindexed and won’t be found via a web browser. Your email inbox, online banking and Google Drive folders are undiscoverable via a web browser.
Hacking Services And Data Breaches
The Surface Web is the visible part of the internet that we interact with on a daily basis. It includes popular websites, news portals, online shopping platforms, social media networks, and more. These websites are indexed by search engines and are easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection. The Deep Web refers to the vast amount of online content that is not indexed by search engines. This includes online banking portals, email inboxes, password-protected websites, and other privately hosted content. The Deep Web, while not readily accessible, is not inherently malicious or illegal.
It tends to conjure vague notions of bad people secretly doing bad things. But while it certainly is a place where illegal activities are facilitated, it can also be a force for good. Others were casual users—people buying fake IDs, stolen credit card numbers, or drugs. That said, a significant chunk of U.S.-based activity on the dark web still revolves around illegal marketplaces—selling things like stolen data, counterfeit documents, and even drugs. Staying cautious is essential when interacting with content on the dark web, as illegal activities are prevalent. Users should refrain from clicking on unverified links and exercise discretion in revealing personal information.
The internet is huge—even in its shadows—it is possible to wander legally there. PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, which is a member of the SIGINT Seniors Europe international intelligence-sharing alliance. Although PrivateVPN has what sounds like a true no-logs policy, it has yet to be independently audited. It will still be able to get the job done if you’re interested in dark web browsing. Connection speeds are very fast, and you should be able to stream HD and 4K content without buffering.
Protect Your Personal Data
Talking about copycats and potential risks, due to its high risk and low signal-to-noise ratio for legitimate content, we advise beginners and privacy-conscious users to avoid The Hidden Wiki. If you must explore sites like The Hidden Wiki, do so with extreme skepticism, never download files, never enter personal info, and never send cryptocurrency to unknown sites. As such, it’s important to be extremely careful when accessing the dark web, as you could inadvertently access a site containing, displaying, or linking to illicit content in some form. It’s illegal to use the dark web for any form of criminal activity, like buying stolen goods, drugs, user accounts, and so on.
The installation process is straightforward and generally similar to installing any other software. On the Tor Project website, you will find different versions of the Tor Browser for various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android. Choose the version that corresponds to your device’s operating system to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. Many transactions on the dark web use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for anonymity.
Safely Browse And Verify Onion Sites
By understanding the nature of onion websites and using the Tor Browser for access, you can explore the Dark Web in a more informed and responsible manner. Remember to exercise caution and adhere to ethical guidelines while interacting with onion websites. To stay protected from potential security vulnerabilities, it’s important to keep your Tor Browser up to date. The developers of the Tor Browser regularly release updates that contain security patches and improvements. Configure the Tor Browser to check for updates automatically or periodically visit the official Tor Project website to download the latest version.
Is Using The Tor Network Illegal?
Some things that happen on the dark web are evil and need to be stopped. But other dark web activities are only “illicit” because they threaten the powers of dictators or reveal things the powerful would prefer to keep secret. Even if you take the strongest precautions, only accessing HTTPS pages and always using a VPN, trouble can slip through the net.
Illegal Content And Explicit Material
- Because of this, not many people are willing to give it a shot except if they have a very good reason.
- Traditional investigative techniques, such as IP tracking, are largely ineffective within the Dark Web’s encrypted network.
- The surface web (also called the Visible Web, Indexed Web, or Clear Web) is the part of the internet you can access anytime using mainstream browsers, like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.
- We pay our bills online, check our bank statements, communicate via email, find information, and maintain a presence on social media.
Everything you can find with a Google search is part of the surface web. In other words, every part of the web you can see and access by browsing normally. When viewed through this lens, the dark web’s legality is based on how you as a user engage with it. You might fall to the wayside of legal lines for many reasons that are important for the protection of freedom. Others may act in ways that are illegal for the protection and safety of others. Let’s unpack both of these concepts in terms of the “dark web browser” and the websites themselves.
Government cyber teams can take such websites down, arrest the owners and then use the website to track and follow users that show activity on the website. Then, simply click the operating system that you are using and download the file. While an iOS version of the official Tor browser is not available, there are Tor-compatible browsers available in the App Store.
Use Active Monitoring Of Financial And Identity Theft
These are all examples of the Deep Web because you need a login, a password, or sometimes even a subscription to access them. They’re kept private intentionally, and what amazed me most is that it’s estimated that this hidden layer actually makes up at least 90% of all online content (Google.org, 2025). Keep in mind it contains ALL content that’s sent between servers without passing by the general public first. Much of its content consists of private databases, protected legal and medical records, secure government communications and the like. The Tor Project, which oversees the network, does clean up malicious relays when it discovers them. If you are accessing the dark web via Tor, you’ll need to take steps to protect yourself.
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that requires specialized software like the Tor Browser to get access. Unlike the surface web, which consists of websites indexed by search engines, dark web websites are not searchable through standard browsers. It operates on a separate network that anonymizes users by routing their traffic through a series of encrypted servers, making it difficult to trace activities or identify users. Despite the dark web’s anonymity, users still need tools to navigate its vast and often confusing landscape. Several dark web search engines have been developed to index and provide access to hidden services. Examples include Ahmia, which filters out illegal content and offers a safer search experience, and Torch, known for its extensive index of dark web sites.
Best Practices For Staying Safe
For example, journalists, whistleblowers, and privacy-conscious individuals often use it to communicate securely or access uncensored information in restrictive regions. The Dark Web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and not indexed by traditional search engines. It operates within a network of encrypted websites that require specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. This hidden corner of the internet offers users anonymity and privacy, making it an attractive platform for various activities, both legal and illegal.
Do I Need A VPN If I Access The Dark Web On My Phone?
Illegal marketplaces are merely a small fraction of what’s actually there. To access a dark web address, you must use a VPN and a suitable browser (it should be Tor). The aim is to reduce your online footprint as much as possible, anonymize your traffic, and disguise your location.
The encrypted data, such as WhatsApp messages, is secured behind end-to-end encryption and is not visible to your ISP. So, if you aspire to use Tor privately, you can use VPN or Tor gateways (Tor nodes that are not publicly indexed). While a website can’t identify you or an ISP can’t decrypt your internet traffic; still, they can still see you using Tor, which can draw some unwanted attention and raise suspicions. DarkWeb “marketplaces” guarantee confidentiality and anti-surveillance for your online purchases that you simply won’t find on any other websites.
