Tor is the go-to for darknet access, but your internet provider can still see you’re using it. And given Tor’s association with illicit activities, that alone can raise suspicion. Plus, it’s got top-notch performance, especially around nearby servers like Double VPN and Onion over VPN. NordVPN uses top-notch encryption protocols, like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and AES-256, plus AES-256 for more secure connections. It supports up to 10 devices connected simultaneously with virtual servers across 70 countries.
How Do I Access Tor?
Not only that, it provides unlimited bandwidth and allows you to torrent freely. ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin and operates its own .onion mirror site, so you can sign up anonymously. CyberGhost’s apps are intuitive and easy to install for all major devices. The app opens in a minimized view with everything you need to connect.
Best Free VPNs To Access The Dark Web – Detailed List
- The dark web is a decentralized web, which means that the data is stored on many different servers around the world.
- A VPN encrypts your traffic before it goes into the Tor network.
- This makes the VPN server the first layer of network encryption, effectively keeping snoopers off your tail.
- Imagine getting malware on your computer from clicking on an ad from your VPN provider.
CyberGhost offers one of the most impressive server networks in the industry, with over 7,800 servers in over 90 countries, covering 112 locations. What’s even more remarkable in this case is that most of these servers are physically based in the actual location, as there are only a fraction of virtual servers. On the other hand, we should also mention that PIA is based in the US, which is a part of all major international surveillance organizations.
There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try NordVPN risk-free. Anyone can access the dark web, and it’s not that complicated to do so. Just remember, if you want to explore the dark web, be very careful. Tails is a mere 1.3 GB download, so on most connections it will download quickly.
Dark Web Websites: 10 Onion Sites To Explore
It protects those connections with military-level encryption, and IPv6 leak and kill switch protections. They’ll never slow down your online activities thanks to their lack of a data cap and bandwidth limitations. ExpressVPN is a British Virgin Islands-based provider that has quite the spec sheet (and proven track record) as far as user privacy and security is concerned. NordVPN, one of the most secure VPNs in the industry, is also the best option to stay safe on the dark web. AirVPN is an excellent, incredibly secure VPN provider based in Italy.
Why Choose ProtonVPN For The Dark Web?
There are a lot of these sites across the dark web, which is why you have to be extra careful. The easiest way to avoid falling victim to them is to simply not provide any personal data when browsing the dark web. It’s legal to access the dark web in the U.S. and most other countries. By some estimates, well over half of dark web content is illegal.
How To Navigate onion Links Safely
These nodes are frequently safe and won’t divulge or collect any of your private information. However, there are instances in which Tor nodes are compromised, which means their data can be accessed and stolen. Nowadays, Proton VPN’s 2-year plan is an excellent value and our wholehearted recommendation.
The Best Free VPNs For Dark Web Access In 2024
The dark web (often referred to as the “dark net”, “black web”, or “black net”) is a small section of the deep web that is hidden and kept inaccessible to regular internet users on purpose. And ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds on the market, even on the dark web. In my tests, all the .onion links I visited while connected to ExpressVPN loaded in around 10 seconds, which is really good — without a VPN, they took around 8 seconds to load. The free version also includes basic malware protection, which is a nice bonus considering how sketchy some dark web sites can get. During testing, we connected via the US free server and fired up the Tor browser. Speeds were solid for browsing text-heavy dark websites and small links.
- ExpressVPN offers all this and more, making it the #1 Dark Web companion VPN.
- When selecting a VPN for the dark web, security is the top priority.
- For more information, read more about the most secure email service providers in my other post.
- The dark web contains much of the internet’s illicit content, ranging from drug trafficking to child pornography sites.
onion URL Structure
We’ll navigate this intricate maze with you, uncovering its secrets while ensuring your online safety. Authorities are constantly monitoring the dark web and have managed to arrest people in the past. Make sure to use CyberGhost VPN if you want to be anonymous while visiting the dark web, especially if you’re using free Wi-Fi.
None of the features listed above matter if your VPN doesn’t support the dark web. There are different ways to access the dark web, the oldest and the most common being the Tor browser and network. At the very least, your VPN should support Tor and allow you to visit .onion websites.
Use A Dedicated Device Or Virtual Machine
All VPNs slow down your speeds because they encrypt your traffic and because it takes time to route your data from your device to the VPN server. That said, there are many good VPNs out there that minimize the speed loss. Hotspot Shield allows unlimited data, making it a great choice for surfing .onion sites.
You can’t access the deep web or dark web using standard search engines like Google, because neither is indexed. To access content on the deep web, you simply need the correct links and credentials, while the dark web requires specialized tools, like Tor. Most of what you see in search results is just a small slice of the internet. In fact, only about 4% of the web is indexed, meaning it shows up in standard search engines. The key difference between the deep web and the dark web lies in how you can access them.
The provider’s inclusion of Advanced Protection plays a key role. It blocks malware and trackers, ensuring this dark part of the internet doesn’t harm you. The bad thing is that Tor is insufficient to ensure your anonymity.
