Another vital precaution is to ensure that your .onion URLs are correct. Onion URLs generally contain a string of seemingly random letters and numbers. Once you are certain that you have the correct URL, save it in an encrypted note—the Tor browser will not cache it for later.
The downside is that the VPN provider can see that you’re using Tor, even though your ISP can’t. With that in mind, you must select a trustworthy VPN provider such as those listed below. Tor works on macOS, Android, Linux, and Windows, meaning the VPN should also be on one of these. Once the VPN app has been set up, you’ll open it and sign in with your email and password. You provide your email and password when subscribing to the provider. The 2-year plan with 4 free months is the absolute banger and includes everything the company has to offer.
Surfshark
Anonymizing browsers are banned in some countries like China and Russia. Moreover, given the nefarious nature of the dark web, some government agencies may set up Tor gateways to monitor what’s happening on the dark web. If you’re intrigued and want a firsthand experience, follow this guide to learn how to access the deep web with an anonymizing browser. We’ll use the Tor browser for this guide, but any other browser that supports the Tor protocol will do.
NordVPN is packed with many advanced security and privacy protection features. It protects your data non-stop with a reliable kill switch and offers server obfuscation. The Hidden Wiki is a longstanding directory of dark web sites that offers a way to browse onion services. It’s been around for many years and helps users navigate the dark web by curating links to various resources. Note that Hidden Wiki links sometimes lead to unsafe content, so be wary about what you click.
They tend to be less secure, and many will log your online and dark web activity to sell to third parties. Others inject advertisements into your browser, and some even carry malware payloads. Features include a tracker blocker, a kill switch, and app-based split tunneling. Obfuscation is applied to every connection, which means you can connect in countries such as China without any additional steps. The best deal is the two-year plan, which costs the equivalent of $2.19 a month, while our coupon below gives you the cheapest possible one-month subscription with no ongoing commitment.
Integrated Kill Switch
We’d have preferred to be able to contact staff over live chat, but you’ll usually get a reply from the support email address or ticket system in a day or two. You can also search the knowledge base for answers to commonly-asked questions, which is a good starting point for confused users. It’d be a mistake to write this off as just another low-budget provider. It actually uses the same encryption algorithm as better-known VPNs, and thanks to its leak protection and kill switch, there’s minimal chance of any packets sneaking out unencrypted. Proton VPN is extremely flexible, too, allowing users to create profiles for specific situations. This means you can quickly swap between customized streaming, general-purpose, and Onion over VPN servers in a matter of seconds.
Is There A Search Engine For Onion Sites?
Although not as extensive as some of its competitors, Avira Phantom VPN still offers a respectable network of servers across 36 countries. This global coverage allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy a more open internet experience. Free providers are known for a mile-long list of limitations that makes using them all but enjoyable. The only free provider I can recommend is Proton VPN due to unlimited bandwidth and security, but it severely lacks speeds and streaming capabilities.
Private Internet Access (PIA) — Customizable Settings For Secure Dark Web Surfing
Perhaps the best-known thing you can buy on the Dark Web is information collected in what seems like the almost daily data breaches we read about in the news. That information can include checking and credit card account numbers, social security numbers, and other sensitive information. Simply accessing the dark web and using the Tor browser may already raise government suspicion. The advantage of using a dedicated computer just to browse the dark web is that your main computer isn’t exposed to any of the threats or risks tied to entering the dark web.
In these cases, you’ll have to connect to a VPN before you can even start using the Tor Browser. Additionally, there’s no telling who’s operating your entry and exit node, so hiding your IP address and location adds another layer of security. Unfortunately, if you want to contact customer support, you’ll have to go through email. Still, there is a robust help section on the website that covers everything from setting up a Shadowsocks proxy to manually configuring OpenVPN for Tor. With respectable speeds and over 730 servers around the world, this provider is well worth checking out. When traffic passes through Tor nodes, it is decrypted before reaching the ‘open’ internet.
Accessing The Dark Web On Various Devices
There are several email and IM services which you can use, and it’s highly recommended to pick one if you want to step up your dark web game. Fortunately, in Hidden Wiki, every website is followed by a brief description so that the user knows what to expect. You can also take a look at the blogs & essays section if you want to find some nifty coding resources. Although content on the dark web is not as ‘indexed’ compared to the one on the clear web, you can still use search engines to find stuff.
- The service employs robust encryption standards, maintains a strict no-logs policy, and supports WireGuard, a modern, high-speed VPN protocol.
- A reliable VPN for the dark web solves this problem by hiding your Tor use entirely, letting you browse with full privacy and anonymity.
- Connection speeds are very fast, and you should be able to stream HD and 4K content without buffering.
- In second place is ExpressVPN, thanks to its lightning-fast speeds and automatic obfuscation on every VPN server with any protocol.
The Hidden Wiki & Co
Unlike traditional search engines like Google or DuckDuckGo, Torch indexes hidden websites that operate beyond the reach of the surface web. But users should always be cautious and avoid clicking unfamiliar or untrusted links to steer clear of scams or malware. Monitoring the Dark Web is technically feasible but incredibly challenging due to the high level of anonymity it provides. Users typically access the Dark Web via services like Tor, which mask identities by routing traffic through multiple global servers. Notably, a VPN adds an extra security layer, but remember, no approach guarantees total privacy or safety.
Millions of customers’ personal data, including names, addresses, bank account and credit card account information, and many other forms of sensitive data. Those who access the dark web do so via the Tor (The Onion Router) browser. But human trafficking, illegal pornography featuring underaged victims, money laundering, and assassinations are also examples of the darkest corners on the dark web. Silk Road became one of the most famous online black markets on the dark web for illegally selling drugs. The dark web is infamous for containing sites such as Silk Road and other marketplaces where users could potentially buy drugs and/or weapons, stolen credit cards, IDs, and much more. You can also find email messages, online bank statements, and much more information on the deep web – information that is usually private and inaccessible by the public on the surface web.
Whether you’re a regular visitor or just want to see what the fuss is about, the services below will help keep your true identity hidden on the darknet. Technically, there are several different dark webs, but when most people think of the dark web they’re referring to Onion websites which can only be accessed through the Tor network. Anyway, to access the dark web you’ll need software that provides a connection to the Tor network.
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. A handful of dark web search engines that do index .onion sites include NotEvil, Ahmia, Candle, and Torch.
CyberGhost – Best For Anonymous Dark Web Browsing
Instead of search engines, you’ll need to rely on directories or specific .onion links. In many places, including the U.S., the UK, and the EU, accessing the dark web is legal for legitimate purposes. However, many sites on the dark web host illegal content or activities, and engaging with those can lead to serious legal consequences. In some countries, like Russia or China, dark web access itself may be blocked or penalized.
