We’re a nonprofit organization and rely on supporters like you to help us keep Tor robust and secure for millions of people worldwide. Once the file is downloaded, run it to launch the installer and follow the prompt until the Tor browser is installed. Upon selecting the button for your operating system, you will be prompted to download the installer, which you should save to a folder. Upon opening the Tor website, you will be presented with various download options for the operating systems that Tor supports, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
By carefully following the safety procedures outlined in this guide, you minimize your risk of encountering malware, fraud, or legal troubles. Always remember, your safety online depends significantly on personal responsibility, informed decisions, and proactive application of security tips. Embrace these strategies to confidently navigate the Dark Web, preserving your privacy and security in an ever-evolving digital landscape. There are numerous directories that host .onion links and websites, but you should always exercise caution. First — and this is strongly recommended — you should install a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Also, you need to use a privacy-focused browser such as the Tor network to connect via nodes and proxy servers, which are more secure and aim to anonymize traffic requests.
#1 Install A VPN
It then depends on you, as the user, how you surf the dark world. This means that the identities and locations of darknet users are hidden from public view and remain anonymous, even when interacting with other users or engaging in any online activity. As such, you should exercise caution when accessing any unofficial dark websites. Internet providers and websites can detect when Tor is being used because Tor node IPs are public. Although websites can’t identify you and ISPs can’t decrypt your internet traffic, they can see that Tor is being used. Others were casual users—people buying fake IDs, stolen credit card numbers, or drugs.
Comparative Table: Essential Tools
As such, the dark web has attracted many parties who would otherwise be endangered by revealing their identities online. Abuse and persecution victims, whistleblowers, and political dissidents have been frequent users of these hidden sites. But of course, these benefits can be easily extended to those that want to act outside of the constraints of laws in other explicitly illegal ways.
Dark Web Tools And Services
In this setup, the VPN connection acts as a middle layer between your device and Tor, routing your internet traffic through the VPN before it reaches the Tor network. With this setup, you connect to your VPN first, then open Tor Browser. That means your ISP only sees encrypted VPN traffic and can’t tell you’re using Tor. It also hides your real IP address from Tor’s entry node, which is the first hop in the Tor circuit. Don’t log into any real accounts, reuse usernames, or enter any personal details. Treat every site as untrusted unless you’ve verified it from multiple sources.
Users must approach the Dark Web with caution and adhere to ethical practices, avoiding engagement with illegal activities or supporting harmful platforms. Using a virtual private network (VPN) is a crucial first step before diving into the dark web. While the Tor network anonymizes your browsing, it doesn’t secure your connection outside the Tor browser. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic before entering the Tor network, making tracking your online activities tougher. You can access many other sites via the Tor browser, and your requests will be routed through multiple servers to avoid monitoring.
Is The Tor Browser Safe Without A VPN?
- I strongly recommend surfing on the dark web using virtual machine software instead of your locally installed Windows.
- Also, since the Tor Browser is based on the Mozilla Firefox platform, it’s susceptible to the same attacks that other browsers are.
- Then individual applications must each be separately configured to work with I2P.
- In other words, the deep web covers everything under the surface that’s still accessible with the right software, including the dark web.
Again, we can’t emphasize enough that security and anonymity are paramount to those on dark websites. Your ISP and the government might not be able to view your activity when on the Tor Network, but they do know you are on the Tor Network, and that alone is enough to raise eyebrows. In fact, a recent judgment by the US Supreme Court denoted that simply using Tor was sufficient probable cause for law enforcement to search and seize any computer around the world. So, if you want to know how to access the dark web safely, you need to understand that the vast majority of the dark web, or dark net, is only accessible through the Tor browser.
How To Access The Dark Web On An IPhone
Despite its negative reputation, not all activity on the dark web is malicious; some users rely on it as a tool for freedom of expression or to circumvent restrictions. While Tor browsers are used to access the dark web, search engines play a crucial role in facilitating the browsing experience for users. Since Google and surface-level search engines don’t work in the dark web world, users often opt for these search engines that enhance their experience and accessibility on the platform. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic, routing it through servers in different geographical locations.
But, this isn’t only about bad things; you can also get useful information. The hidden web (also known as the deep web or deep net) is the largest part of the internet. It comprises websites that aren’t easily accessible mainly because they are non-indexed, password-protected or paywalled. The dark web is a small subset of the deep web comprising purely non-indexed websites and services. For one, the VPN can’t see your online activities because of VPN encryption. Plus, the ISP won’t see that you’re using Tor, which is excellent.
Content and services on the deep web are accessible through a regular browser. Installing the Tor Browser is the best way to access the dark web. However, your online activity is encrypted and hidden from view thanks to Tor’s onion routing. This means your ISP can’t see that you’re accessing the dark web (or indeed, the specific sites you’re accessing).
How Can I Differentiate Legitimate Services From Scams On The Dark Web?
However, there are plenty of legal and legitimate online activities that require privacy and anonymity. The dark web is used by journalists, whistleblowers, and political activists who need the protections that it offers. Anything you need to do that has to be off the books to some extent, for noble or ignoble reasons, can be done on the dark web. The dark web comes with its own set of tools and services, including web browsers and search engines (which I’ll get on to in a moment). Part of what makes the dark web the dark web is that you can’t access it through your normal web browser, nor can you look something up on it via a Google search.
For a number of technical reasons, it’s much faster and more reliable than Tor. The peer-to-peer routing structure is more advanced, and it does not rely on a trusted directory to get route information. I2P uses one-way tunnels, so an eavesdropper can only capture outbound or inbound traffic, not both. Due to all the nodes that your traffic passes through, Tor by itself significantly limits bandwidth. Adding a VPN to it, even a fast one like IPVanish will make it even slower, so please be patient.
With RAM-based servers in 90+ countries and features like WireGuard, IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, worries are over. Like NordVPN, this provider doesn’t store logs and has around 20 third-party audits to prove it. Its RAM servers and Private DNS go a step further to protect your identity online. Not to mention its Advanced Protection that blocks malicious sites, trackers, and ads.
This section comprises content requiring specific permissions, login credentials, or specialized tools for access. Examples include password-protected websites, private databases, and subscription-based resources, contributing to a broader yet less visible realm on the internet. When accessing the dark web, using specialized browsers alone isn’t enough. Here’s a practical overview of the most essential tools available in 2025.
What Is The Safest Way To Access The Dark Web?
ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. If you want to improve your security further, you could also use a VPN at the same time as Tor.
