We also recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) such as NordVPN — the best dark web VPN — to add an extra layer of protection. You can read our NordVPN review for more information, or try it out yourself using the 30-day money-back guarantee. Valentina Bravo is an editor at Cloudwards with a rich background in technology topics, particularly productivity tools and online security.
Though a large volume of traffic visits on the open web every day, it only represents 4% of the content on the internet. If you’ve already done that, or even something similar, that’s good news – you’re already a deep web user accessing information not available through common search engines. Everything from social media data to medical records are held on the deep web, as is all your email information. For this reason, many people prefer to use a VPN to encrypt their connection to the Tor network, thereby preventing their ISP from being able to detect that they are accessing the dark web. One of the challenges of exploring the dark web is that you can’t just use a search engine and type in what you’re after like you would on the surface web. Instead, you often have to consult directories to find lists of legitimate sites and visit and access them that way or use special dark web-friendly search engines.
When you’re done surfing or shopping on the dark web, don’t forget to shut down Tails. The major advantage of using a live OS such as Tails is that, on shut down, the OS wipes itself from the thumb drive you’ve installed it. Tor has an in-build slider which lets you adjust the level of security.
Besides this, ensure that services like remote desktop or file-sharing that are easy to exploit are disabled and check that your webcam is covered. Although browsing the dark web is not illegal, it contains unsavory activities that can expose you to danger. Remember that any website engaging in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, hacking, and human trafficking violates international laws and, therefore, is illegal. It is designed to provide online anonymity and privacy to its users.
How To Access The Dark Web Safely Using A VPN
Ensuring that the onion links you follow lead to the intended, trustworthy destinations can be a constant challenge on the dark web. The complexity and randomness of onion addresses make it easy for scammers and malicious actors to create spoofed versions of popular sites. To safeguard yourself against phishing, fraud, and other threats, it’s crucial to verify the authenticity of links before engaging with any dark web platform.
Is Tor Illegal To Use?
While the Tor network was not created for illegal activities, as it’s harder to trace websites to their physical location, cybercriminals have also adopted it to host their websites. These sites are only accessible over the Tor network and are commonly used for privacy and anonymity. The Tor Browser also features many built-in protections that protect against tracking and fingerprinting. If you want to improve your security further, you could also use a VPN at the same time as Tor.
VPN Services: Adding An Extra Layer Of Anonymity
- A step-by-step guide to safely accessing the dark web while maintaining your anonymity and security.
- For example, randomly clicking a link can land you in extreme content, such as child pornography, which is a serious criminal offense to access.
- VPN Over Tor is when you first connect to the Tor network and then connect to your VPN.
- Many people use Tor to avoid surveillance by government agencies, ISPs, or other entities monitoring online activities.
- You may know Tor for its ability to hide your identity and activity.
You can get a VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN which have leak protection built in. You should also check that the VPN also features WireGuard protocol which is faster and more secure compared to older options like IPSec or OpenVPN. Deep down, the tip of the iceberg is where over 90% of the internet content is. As much as the dark web is supposed to promote free speech alongside bypassing censorship, many shady activities occur there. Removing your sensitive personal information from the dark web once it has been exposed is virtually impossible.
Social Engineering And Identity Exposure
Tor websites are located at this far end of the deep web, which are deemed the “dark web” and are only accessible by an anonymous browser. Venturing further into the deep web does bring a bit more danger to the light. For some users, portions of the deep web offer the opportunity to bypass local restrictions and access TV or movie services that may not be available in their local areas. Others go somewhat deeper to download pirated music or steal movies that aren’t yet in theaters. Locating surface web websites is possible because search engines can index the web via visible links (a process called “crawling” due to the search engine traveling the web like a spider).
Adware: What It Is And How To Protect
Cybercriminal groups like DDOS have carried out over 140 cyberattacks on companies since Bitcoin’s emergence in 2014. The attacks have led to the formation of other cybercriminal groups and Cyber Extortion. According to recent research, Bitcoin tumblers are increasingly used for money laundering.
Tor and I2P are the two commonly used tools for accessing the dark web to provide anonymity. Whereas the deep web is the part of the web not searchable by traditional search engines and requires special tools to access it. Also, you must log in or have a specific IP address or URL to access the deep web content. If you need to use a computer and do not want to leave evidence behind (like a digital ghost), Tails is the best tool.
Be Cautious With Downloads
At a minimum, users should ensure that their cybersecurity defenses are activated and up to date. The dark web has many legitimate use purposes and contains legitimate content, including dark web mirrors of popular websites and services such as BBC News and Facebook. Despite this, many people prefer not to advertise to their Internet Service Provider that they are accessing the dark web.
- When you search a term (or query) in a web browser, the search engine combs through the database to find relevant results and serves them up on SERPs.
- The surface web — or clean web — is the part of the internet you can access anytime using mainstream browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
- Due to compatibility issues and technical restrictions imposed by Apple, Tor browser isn’t available on iPhones that haven’t been jailbroken.
- According to IBM Security X-Force, a notable percentage of ransomware incidents involved such groups, with REvil’s profits estimated at $81 million in a single year.
- Reports have suggested the dark web offers many illegal services, from paid assassinations to trafficking for sex and weapons.
Why You Need A VPN For The Dark Web
While no single tactic is foolproof, a layered approach—combining technical, operational, and psychological defenses—greatly improves your safety and confidence when navigating the dark web. While no approach guarantees complete safety, a careful and skeptical mindset serves as one of your most valuable tools on the hidden internet. Despite its benefits for privacy and anonymity, accessing the dark web in 2025 still carries significant risks. Users need to clearly understand these threats and proactively implement strong security practices. This section outlines the main risks you’ll encounter, along with actionable advice to minimize and manage these dangers effectively.
Accessing The Dark Web With Tor Browser And VPN
Doing so will protect you from accidentally accessing illicit content or becoming a victim of malware. Using a VPN alongside Tor adds an extra layer of security by hiding your IP address from Tor entry nodes and encrypting your traffic. This prevents anyone—including your ISP—from knowing that you’re using the Tor network. While Tor offers anonymity by routing your traffic through a decentralized network of nodes (onion routing), it shouldn’t be your only line of defense for privacy. Malicious actors and government agencies can run Tor nodes, compromising privacy and security. In fact, there have been instances where attackers controlled hundreds of Tor nodes.
Either way, some sites take up to a minute or more to load, so don’t fret. If you’re prompted to connect, click the purple “Connect” button and wait for a few seconds. The button above leads you to its website where you can claim an exclusive 70% discount for the 2-year plan. Click the button, get the provider for around $3.3/mo, and install it on your device. NordVPN works on every Tor-friendly system – Windows, Android, Linux, and macOS.
