- What is the dark web?
- Surface web vs. deep web vs. dark web
- How to access the dark web
- Enhance your protection on the dark web
- What you can find on the dark web
- Is the dark web legal?
- History of the dark web: why and how was the dark web created?
- Conclusion: stay safe when exploring the dark web
- FAQ
We all browse the surface web daily, including regular websites like Google, social media platforms like Instagram, but there are other layers to it, including the deep web and dark web. While it’s not easily accessible, the deep web includes everything that doesn’t show up on regular search engines, such as your private accounts. On the other hand, the dark web is a hidden place on the internet, which is not safe to use without extra security measures.
The dark web is one of the most private parts of the internet, ensuring total anonymity. Because of this, it’s often used for illegal activities. Accessing the dark web is risky, as there are users who use it to sell prohibited items or services, including drugs, porn, and malware. However, if you’re not engaging in illegal activities, the dark web is a good place to privately share information. Due to its robust privacy, many use it to stay anonymous while browsing, bypass geo-restrictions and censorship in countries with strict internet restrictions, or even as a more private communication channel.
Additionally, accessing the dark web is not that easy. You won’t be able to use the dark web with a regular browser. Instead, you need to use special software like Tor, which will mask your digital footprint. Even if you use a private browser like Tor, it’s necessary to use additional tools to safeguard your identity on the dark web. To do so, be sure to use antivirus scanners before downloading any files. Additionally, be sure to hide your personal information with a secure VPN like NordVPN, which uses all necessary measures for total anonymity.
Find out more about the dark web, how it works, and how you can safely access it by reading the rest of the article.
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a part of the internet where users can access hidden sites and web pages without their identities being revealed and with their privacy protected by encryption offered by specialized web browsers like Tor.
Since there are many levels of encryption, internet users can conduct various activities on the dark web that can be legal or illegal. The dark web, for instance, can be used to offer illegal goods and services or to get around government censorship in nations with strict internet regulations.
Surface web vs. deep web vs. dark web
To understand what the dark web is a bit better, we need to first take a closer look at the different layers of the web. The internet is often described as consisting of three parts: the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web.
However, all these different parts of the World Wide Web have distinct features that set them apart from each other. The table below summarizes some of the characteristics and key differences between the surface web and the deep and dark web:
| Features | Surface Web | Deep Web | Dark Web |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Freely accessible | Requires login credentials and a website’s exact URL | Requires a special browser and a website’s exact URL |
| Browser-Friendliness | Can be visited using any browser | Can be visited using any browser | Can only be visited using a special browser |
| Search Engine-Friendliness | Can be found on various search engines (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing) | Can’t usually be found on search engines | Can’t be found on search engines |
| Examples | Facebook, Amazon, VPNOverview | Confidential databases and employee pages of corporations, universities, and organizations | Black markets, Tor-exclusive email services |
The surface web
The surface web is the part of the internet most of us use every day. It’s accessible through regular browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. This very article is part of it: you can access it anywhere and at any time, as long as you have an internet connection and a browser. There’s no need for you to log in or use a password to access the content since it’s indexed by search engines.
The deep web
The term “deep web” refers to the part of the internet that’s behind closed doors, such as paywalls. In order to get access, you’ll need to know the exact web address (otherwise known as a URL), as search engines do not index deep web websites. In some cases, you’ll need a password, as well.
Most of the deep web consists of pages and databases that are only meant for a certain group of people within an organization. The deep web is by far the biggest part of the internet, estimated to make up between 90-95% of the complete World Wide Web.
The dark web
So, what is the dark web? The dark web is part of the deep web, and it’s only accessible through a special browser: the Tor browser. This browser encrypts your activity and routes it through a special network that allows access to dark websites (more on this later).
Broadly, the dark web refers to the unregulated part of the internet. No organization, business, or government is in charge of the dark web or is able to enforce rules. This is exactly the reason why the dark web is commonly associated with illegal activities.
Like the deep web, dark web websites are also not searchable on Google. They can only be accessed if you have the specific URL. These URLs are very different from surface and deep web URLs and often combine random letters and numbers. For example, the dark web address of the search engine DuckDuckGo might be something like: https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion
Some people refer to this part of the internet as the “deep web,” but this isn’t the right term. It’s true that the dark web is part of the deep web, but it’s a different section of the internet altogether.
Important Note:
Dark web sites change URLs constantly. Be careful when using any dark web site URL listed in this article, as they may have changed since the article was written. Watch out for scams and illegal activities that may be found on dark web sites. We recommend that if you use the dark web, you should take precautions like improving your safety with a VPN and antivirus solution, as well as following your local laws.
How to access the dark web
The dark web, or hidden web, can only be accessed through a special dark web browser. The Onion Router, known as Tor, is the most popular dark web browser. We will briefly discuss what Tor is and how it works before diving into a step-by-step guide on accessing the dark web.
What is the Tor network and how does it work?
The Tor network is a free, open-source web browser that aims to ensure its users remain anonymous. In order to accomplish this, your activity is encrypted and sent through a network of nodes operated by volunteers around the globe. At every node, part of the encryption is peeled off.
Eventually, your information ends up on the website of your choice. However, the website cannot trace this activity back to your IP address. This process of “onion routing” aims to keep the user anonymous. Hence, the Tor search engine can be used to access the dark web or to access surface and deep web websites anonymously.
How to access the dark web safely on a PC
Accessing the dark web is easy. However, we must point out that there are dangers when entering the dark web realm. Although the dark web itself is legal, many of the activities on the dark web are illegal. You may accidentally end up on a website that sells illegal drugs or a porn website that displays illegal content, so it’s vital to take all measures to protect yourself before getting on the dark web.
But, if you’re in a hurry, follow the steps below to access the dark web safely from a PC.
Install the Tor browser for Windows
Follow these steps to install the Tor browser for Windows:
- Go to the Tor Project website and click on the button that says “Download Tor browser.”
- You will be forwarded to the download page. Select the “Download for Windows” icon.
- Open the file once it has been downloaded.
- Choose the folder where you’d like Tor to be installed and click “Install.”
- Choose for Tor to start automatically, or you can opt to open it on your own when you want to use it.
The process for installing Tor on a Mac is very similar.
Enhance your protection on the dark web
Even though the Tor browser will offer you a good level of protection on the dark web, there are additional measures you can take to enhance your privacy. We delve into some of these measures below.
Download and install a reliable VPN provider
We highly recommend using a VPN as an additional layer of encryption for your connection and to prevent potential leaks on the Tor network. NordVPN is recommended for dark web browsing as it offers specialized Onion over VPN services, has a strong track user safety record, and can keep your online anonymity.
These are the steps to download and install NordVPN:
- After you have purchased your subscription package, go to NordVPN’s website and click “Login.”
- You will be redirected to another page where you have to select “Log in With Nord Account.”
- Fill in your account information and click “Continue” to go to the dashboard.
- On the left side of the dashboard, click on “Downloads.”
- Click on “Download the NordVPN app.”
- Download the “.exe file.”
- Open the installation file and select “Install.”
- Click on the NordVPN icon on your desktop and log in.
- Connect to a server in a different country. Connecting to a server too far away from you may result in slower loading times, so choose a server from a country that’s close to where you are.
You can now use the Tor browser to access the websites you want and have the added protection of a VPN.
You can also use other VPNs for the dark web. It all depends on the specifications you want your VPN to have, but ensure you look at the different features of a VPN provider thoroughly to find the one that will keep you safe.
Access the dark web from a mobile device
We generally do not recommend using a mobile device like an iPhone or Android to access the dark web for the following reasons:
- Smartphones are easier to trace. Modern smartphones come with a number of sensors designed to improve functionality. Accessing Tor from your mobile device can increase the likelihood of it being hacked and used for tracking and surveillance.
- There is no official Tor browser for iOS. Tor has not launched an official app for iOS yet. While alternatives are available, they are not as reliable as the official Tor app and can be vulnerable to security risks.
- Fake dark web browser apps can be found in app stores. The App Store and Play Store are both littered with dark web browser apps. However, several of these apps appear to be fake and unreliable. It is unclear if they encrypt your connection and connect you to the dark web as desired.
If you do insist on accessing the dark web from your mobile device, you can check out our article about accessing the dark web on Android or iPhone.
Follow these additional tips to stay safe on the dark web
Using a VPN with the Tor browser should provide you with a reasonable level of security. However, the dark web can be dangerous, and taking a few extra security precautions is recommended. Here are some quick tips on staying safe while browsing the dark web:
1. Choose the highest security configuration on Tor
Setting Tor’s security to “Safest” will affect your visual experience when browsing, but it will greatly increase your online security. That’s because this setting will disable JavaScript and lots of other potentially dangerous code on all websites.
As a result of the above, you’ll often only see text on pages, but we strongly recommend this setting to users who aren’t looking for specific videos or images.
2. Install a good antivirus scanner
A good antivirus scanner will scan your device and the pages you visit for threats in real time. This means that you’ll be aware of threats before they can do any big damage.
We recommend our number 1 virus scanner, Norton 360, as the best dark web antivirus. Norton regularly blocks 100% of threats during tests by cybersecurity giants like AV-Test and SeaLabs. It has also received near-perfect marks for security from AV-Test since 2018.
3. Do not reveal personal information on the dark web
Revealing personal information on the dark web leaves you vulnerable to being scammed or hacked. Just like the surface web, the dark web sees tons of phishing attempts to steal personal data.
4. Don’t click on suspicious links or download files from the dark web
Users shouldn’t click on links or download files they’re unfamiliar with on the dark web, as this could lead them to dangerous pages or install malware, such as a virus or worm, directly on their device.
Even if you don’t interact with a dangerous page, it can still download malware onto your device. This is called a drive-by download and refers to dangerous code that can activate itself.
Because of the above, we strongly advise always having a sound antivirus, such as Norton 360, which offers real-time protection. Norton 360 uses heuristics and machine learning to keep track of online threats and keep you safe from all kinds of malware, like viruses and ransomware.
What you can find on the dark web
The dark web is constantly changing and remains largely hidden. To help you discover what is on the dark web, below, we list some of the websites, tools, products, and services that you can find there. We urge you to exercise utmost caution when exploring any of the above, as they are potentially risky.
The URLs listed below will only open in Tor. We also recommend opening them only with an active connection to a VPN server.
Dark web tools and sites
The dark web is home to different kinds of sites and tools. Some of these are similar to ones on the surface web, while others differ almost entirely. Broadly, dark web websites and tools can be classified into the different categories mentioned below.
1. Dark web link directories
If you’re wondering how to search the dark web, you must keep in mind that to access a specific dark website, you need to know the exact URL of that page, which can be quite difficult to remember. Fortunately, there are dedicated pages that can help you find what you’re looking for. These pages even categorize their “onion links,” making it easier for you to browse through their list of links.
Here are two such pages:
- The Hidden Wiki: http://zqktlwiuavvvqqt4ybvgvi7tyo4hjl5xgfuvpdf6otjiycgwqbym2qad.onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
- Daniel: http://danielas3rtn54uwmofdo3x2bsdifr47huasnmbgqzfrec5ubupvtpid.onion/
2. Dark web websites for mainstream sites
News websites like the BBC, email services like ProtonMail, and torrent sites like The Pirate Bay all have onion websites. These dark web websites are usually for people who can’t access the surface web version of the site, often because of strict internet regulations in their countries.
Here are examples of dark web versions of popular sites:
- The New York Times: https://ej3kv4ebuugcmuwxctx5ic7zxh73rnxt42soi3tdneu2c2em55thufqd.onion/
- BBC: http://bbcnewsd73hkzno2ini43t4gblxvycyac5aw4gnv7t2rccijh7745uqd.onion/
3. Dark web email services
Email services on the dark web provide a way to send completely anonymous mail, even though they usually require the sender and recipient to be on the Tor network. Some secure email services available on the dark web are:
- Mail2Tor: http://mail2torjgmxgexntbrmhvgluavhj7ouul5yar6ylbvjkxwqf6ixkwyd.onion/
- ProtonMail: http://protonmailrmez3lotccipshtkleegetolb73fuirgj7r4o4vfu7ozyd.onion/
4. File uploads and transfers
Secure file uploads and transfers are widespread on the dark web, as the Onion network provides several layers of encryption on both your files and connection. Journalists and informants usually use dark web file transfer services to share files with sensitive information.
Services under this category include:
- SecureDrop: http://sdolvtfhatvsysc6l34d65ymdwxcujausv7k5jk4cy5ttzhjoi6fzvyd.onion/
- BlackCloud: http://bcloudwenjxgcxjh6uheyt72a5isimzgg4kv5u74jb2s22y3hzpwh6id.onion/
5. Dark web forums and chat boards
There are several message boards and chat rooms on the dark web, often dedicated to topics that aren’t safe to discuss in other parts of the internet. We advise against visiting these websites, as people may be discussing dangerous, illegal, and unethical activities or topics.
6. Dark web whistleblowing websites
Whistleblowers, journalists, and other individuals reporting on companies, governments, law enforcement agencies, and other entities use the dark web to find and communicate sensitive information. Both the WikiLeaks network and whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have used the dark web in the past to spread their message.
What is for sale on the dark web?
You can find several items or services for sale on the dark web, including illegal or banned substances that cannot be bought on legitimate websites. Neither can they be obtained through legal channels in the physical world.
Dark web products
Some of the most commonly traded products on the dark web include:
- Drugs and contraband: The most common items sold on the dark web include drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and crystal meth. High-profile dark web marketplaces, such as Silk Road and Alpha Bay, were notorious for their role in trafficking illicit drugs across the world.
- Fake IDs and user accounts: Forfeited passports, identification documents, and accounts for services such as Uber and Coinbase are regularly found on the dark web. These are used to circumvent identification and security measures in places like airports and government offices.
- Personal data and information: Personal data that is obtained through a data breach or hack often ends up on the dark web. Various dark web sites regularly list datasets, including addresses, credit card information, and medical and financial records for sale.
- Weapons and ammunition: While the dark web plays a small role in global arms trafficking, it is gaining prominence as a channel to sell arms to terrorists and non-state actors. This is especially true for the “lone wolf,” a terrorist who acts alone and does not rely on a larger organization for weapons.
- Illegal porn: There are websites on the dark web dedicated to illegal porn containing content such as bestiality, child pornography, rape, and extreme violence. Accidentally watching or downloading these videos means potentially breaking laws in the country you’re in.
Dark web services
In addition to illegal and dangerous products, the dark web is also used to offer and contract potentially illegal and criminal services. Some of the services known to be offered on the dark web include:
- Malware and malware as a service: The dark web is replete with different exploit kits and off-the-shelf malware. Cybercriminals can purchase and implement these to attack users. Additionally, cybercriminals also provide access to botnets to launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. The services of a hacker to launch a ransomware attack can also be purchased.
- Scam campaigns: Users can purchase access to botnets that are used to send spam or phishing emails to user accounts. Hackers choose to sell botnet access on the dark web due to its anonymity.
- Professional hitmen: In addition to cybercrime, the dark web can also be used to purchase the services of real-world criminals, such as hitmen. It goes without saying that such an act would be clearly illegal, regardless of whether the services were purchased on the dark web.
- Money laundering: The dark web is home to services that allow users to mix their ill-gotten gains with other legal transactions to avoid detection by law enforcement. This helps criminals launder their money back into the financial system.
Is the dark web legal?
Given the nature of products and services available on the dark web, you may be wondering whether the dark web is legal. In one word: yes. The dark web and the Tor browser are legal in most countries.
Indeed, the primary motivation behind the Tor browser is the enhanced anonymity and privacy it provides. As such, it is an important tool to uphold the right to privacy, which is widely recognized as a basic human right. There are several applications and uses of the dark web that are not considered illegal or nefarious, such as:
- Circumvention of government censorship and controls
- Anonymous communication through the dark web, reporting, and whistleblowing
- Access to books and documents unavailable on the surface web
- Access to forums and communities centered around niche content
When is using the dark web illegal?
Simply accessing the dark web using the Tor browser should be perfectly legal in most countries. However, in certain situations, you could face legal consequences for using the dark web. For example:
- When Tor and the dark web are explicitly banned in your country: Some countries like Russia and China have outlawed the dark web. We encourage you to research the legal status of the dark web in your country before accessing it.
- If you use the dark web for illegal acts: Using the dark web will not shield you from criminal liability if you are caught purchasing illegal products or services. Government entities, such as the FBI, regularly monitor the dark web for activity.
History of the dark web: why and how was the dark web created?
The dark web wasn’t created by cybercriminals. It was actually developed by the United States government.
Below, we’ll go over some important events that eventually led to the dark web as we know it today. Hover over an image to learn more!
The birth of the Internet (1960-1990)
The internet’s origins lie with the ARPANET. This was a US military-backed project that sought to create a decentralized network to exchange sensitive information. The military wanted to make sure the network couldn’t be attacked by external actors.
The Internet goes public (1990-2002)
In the ’90s, the Internet became publicly accessible in lots of countries, leading to widespread commercial use. With this, concerns over the system’s security increased. This led to the creation of projects to facilitate anonymous communication and file sharing.
The emergence of Tor and the dark web (2000-2011)
One of the projects to facilitate anonymous or secret communication was backed by the US government. This project eventually became the Tor browser.
At first, the project was only used for protected communication. However, more and more people started abusing the network’s privacy features to host illegal and questionable content. This is one of the reasons the Tor network eventually came to be known as the dark web.
Bitcoin and the growth of dark web transactions (2009-2015)
Before people started using Bitcoin as a currency, which happened one year after its creation in 2008, dark web users had no way to make anonymous transactions.
This all changed with the rise of Bitcoin: dark web marketplaces, legal and illegal, popped up left and right. The most notorious of these was called Silk Road, on which all matter of illegal items were sold, such as drugs and stolen data, like hacked passwords.
Government crackdown (2015-today)
With illegal marketplaces popping up and other illegal dark web activities, governments around the world felt the need to act. In 2013, the infamous Silk Road was shut down by the FBI. Only a year later, the latter and Europol worked together to close down Silk Road 2.0.
In 2017, the equally notorious Alphabay and Hansa markets were shut down, thanks to efforts from, among others, the FBI and the UK, Dutch, French, and Lithuanian police forces. New markets will likely keep popping up, but ever since 2015, their operators have felt a lot more pressure from authorities.
Conclusion: stay safe when exploring the dark web
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where you can find useful tools and sites that are not available otherwise. To ensure total anonymity, it’s accessible only via special browsers like Tor. While it’s one of the most private parts of the web, which can be used for secure communication, it is also often used for illegal activities. Due to this, it’s important to use additional security measures to protect your digital footprint. Adding an extra layer with a robust VPN like NordVPN is necessary, as it will hide your IP address. If you’re interested in downloading files, I advise using an antivirus program, such as Norton 360, to prevent malware and other threats from infecting your device.
Want to learn more about the dark web and what you can do with it? Check out the articles listed below:
- Dark Web Facts vs Myths: What You Need to Know
- The Best Dark Web Books to Read
- The Most Notorious Cases on the Dark Web
FAQ
Do you need a quick answer to your questions about the dark web? Click on the questions below to reveal the answer.
The “dark web” is a collective term for websites that are only accessible using the Tor browser. These websites are not accessible via Google Chrome, Firefox, or other popular browsers.
In the media, the dark web is often portrayed as a dangerous place, but there are also legitimate dark web sites that are worth visiting.
There are many different kinds of websites on the dark web, from regular .onion sites (such as news websites) to drug market sites and pornographic sites.
Most websites on the dark web can be put in one (or multiple) of the following categories:
- Illegal marketplaces for drugs, weapons, etc.
- Websites for whistleblowers to disclose their information
- Pornographic websites
- Dark web news sites
- Forums and review sites where all kinds of topics are discussed, both legal and illegal
Yes, the dark web is legal in most countries. However, it is possible that some websites or some content on dark web websites is illegal. Moreover, repressive governments restrict access to the dark web and to Tor in an attempt to limit free access to information. If this happens to you, you can try using a Tor bridge or a VPN to get around this censorship.
The dark web can only be visited with special web browsers such as the Tor browser. Through the Tor browser, you can visit .onion web addresses. You cannot visit these dark web websites with browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.
Tor stands for “The Onion Router” and is a special browser that allows you to visit dark web sites. Besides being the gateway to the dark web, Tor also offers enhanced privacy for its users.
Hey, can I use CyberGhost VPN with Tor?
Yes, you can. Simply turn on your VPN before opening your Tor browser (Tor-over-VPN), and you'll be good to go! Do keep in mind that CyberGhost currently only supports Tor-over-VPN. VPN-over-Tor (meaning you first fire up the Tor network and then activate your VPN) doesn't work with CyberGhost. Since Tor-over-VPN is safer and easier anyway, we recommend going for that!
Very informative. Thank you. I also found that the wiki link doesn't work.
Webpage not available
The webpage at http:// zqktlwiuavvvqqt4ybvgvi7tyo4hjl5xgfuvpdf6otjiycgwqbym2qad. onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page could not be loaded because:
net::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED
Hi Talon! Thank you for the compliment! Did you try to open the URL in the Tor browser? It won't work in a regular browser. When we try it, it does appear to work.
Dark web is simply the way the internet was in the 90s and early 20s
How does dns resolution work in the dark web? Does the tor browser use specific dark web dns severs? Is dns for the dark web encrypted?
Or does the tor browser abandon dns altogether and in place have a different way of being able to resolve the url into routable end point(s)?
Interesting article. As exhaustive as it seemed to be, I was surprised to see no mention of the scourge of child sex trafficking that is said to take place on the dark web. Scary stuff. Sam Harris’ interview with NYT reporter Gabriel Dance was a chilling look at this vile phenomenon. I believe the Dark Web figures prominently.
My neighbor said that he was able to get illegal drugs on the dark web. Is that true or is he full of it?
It's true that there are drug marketplaces on the Dark Web. However, we don't know whether your neighbor is speaking the truth or not. While there are marketplaces for illegal substances and arms on the Dark Web, it's not as easy as ordering something off of Amazon for example. It has happened before that well-known marketplaces are infiltrated by law enforcement agencies and that buyers and sellers have faced legal repurcussions.
Also, we do not condone these kinds of illegal practices and we would advise against the use of the dak web for such purposes.
Can i use my mobile phone to access the dark web? Also can you tell me the antivirus i need to use?
We would advise against it. There used to be certain apps for accessing the dark web via mobile phone, but they have been discontinued for the most part. If you want to access the dark web, we would suggest you use a laptop or desktop and look at our other article on how to access the dark web. With regards to antivirus, bitdefender is a pretty good choice.
It is not working
What isn't working for you? If you'd like a step-by-step guide on how to access the dark web safely, you can find that here: vpnoverview.com/privacy/anonymous-browsing/how-to-get-on-the-dark-web
Are Mac products susceptible to virus in the dark web? Can you recommend a good anti virus for us to use? And Assisi can we use ExpressVPN instead of nor?
Yes, Mac products can also catch a virus, both on the dark web and on the surface web. We'll soon have more information on antivirus programs, but for now we would recommend Bitdefender, which does its job really well. I'm not entirely sure what you mean by your final question. If you're wondering whether you can use ExpressVPN instead of NordVPN, the answer is yes. Both providers have plenty of servers all over the world and work extremely well. You can read more about ExpressVPN and NordVPN in our reviews. If you want to use ExpressVPN instead of Tor, that won't work as well. Without Tor (or a similar special browser) you won't be able to visit the dark web. Without a VPN, you'll be unprotected, so you'll need both. Let us know if you have any other questions!
What was the publication date of this article (I want to talk about internet awareness and how the dark web affects society, like how kids have access and used the dark web to involve in illegal activity like drug usage) because I need to cite this source, but all I can find is the edited date.
This article was first published on March 4, 2019. However, the text is constantly being updated to ensure it covers the correct and most recent information, so the version of the article published back then is very different from our current version. Good luck with your project - it's definitely an interesting and important topic!
I want to know more about dark web. I’m really interested about dark web. If any one can trust me and help me
I’ll be thankful
This article will teach you more about the dark web in general. If you'd like to explore this part of the internet yourself, make sure to have a look at these steps to access the dark web safely first.