If the above average Joe’s explanation isn’t enough for you, below are some legitimate reasons to use the Dark Web in a bit more detail. The use of the dark web raises suspicion as it shows there is something you want to do privately. Nowadays, many people use the Tor browser to surf the public internet and navigate the deeper parts anonymously.
Stay Safe
This is easily one of the most popular dark web browsers currently available, and well worth looking into if you’re looking for a safe and fast dark web experience. Download AVG Secure VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy wherever you go on the web. Install AVG Secure VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy wherever you go on the web. Hackers know that Tor is full of curious and unsuspecting users, and have laid many traps with viruses and malware. Though Tor assigns exit nodes randomly, anyone can register to be an exit node because the process for node registration is not well-regulated. Hackers can squat on exit nodes to perform a man-in-the-middle attack on whoever is unlucky enough to come their way.

I2P may not be ideal for regular consumers seeking simplicity and fast internet access due to its complicated setup and slower network connections. That said, if you’re serious about staying secure and anonymous long-term, NordVPN is clearly the best VPN for accessing the dark web. With long-term plans starting at just over $3/month, it’s also one of the most affordable ways to get premium-level privacy while browsing the dark web. Hide.me’s free plan gives you 10GB of data per month, which might sound small, but for most dark web sessions (especially text-based browsing), it’s more than enough. We used it to jump onto various .onion marketplaces, forums, and directories, and it kept everything clean without any IP or DNS leaks, and no surprise disconnections. That said, a few standout free VPNs are safe enough to pair with Tor, especially if you’re just browsing, downloading PGP keys, or checking out .onion sites with a light footprint.

Separate Your Real Life From Your Online Persona
Some of the other platforms included in this build include Kernal Hardening, Metaproxy, and FileSystem Encryption. To connect to the Dark / Deep Web and Tor Network, you’re going to need a deep web browser that’s capable of connecting to the entry and exit nodes. AVG Secure VPN keeps you hidden no matter your network or browser.
How To Access Dark Web Anonymously And Know Its Secretive And Mysterious Activities

This was also Google’s latest official update on how many pages are in their database. GBHackers on Security is a top cybersecurity news platform, delivering up-to-date coverage on breaches, emerging threats, malware, vulnerabilities, and global cyber incidents. If you find any other alternative dark web browsers, please do add them in the comment section, so that we can validate and update them. It helps journalists, human rights activists, and privacy-conscious people who need to keep their actions and identities safe from being watched or tracked. Individuals and businesses that need a high level of privacy and safety online should use Whonix.
Tor-Enabled OS Alternatives To Tails For Secure Dark Web Browsing
Few people have good reasons to take such risks, though some in the fields of law enforcement or cybersecurity are exceptions. Still, if you’re determined to do some exploring, there are ways to minimize your risks. Remember, the deep web is any part of the internet not indexed by search engines. The dark web makes up a very small percentage of this, and is wrapped up within the much larger and usually benign deep web.
The same general process applies to other operating systems, as Tor is also available for Mac and Linux. For example, legitimate sites, such as the BBC, the New York Times, ProPublica, and Facebook, have made their sites accessible as a Tor Onion URL to help people avoid government censorship. Besides the possible criminal elements you may encounter, hackers and malware are rampant. In fact, generally it is wise to simply not venture into the dark web in the first place.
Accessing Hidden Services
As established, the Tor browser is amazing if you wish to surf the web anonymously and without any restrictions. It also lets users access the far-from-savory, dark web with great ease. When you download and install the Tor browser on your device, you need to click the “connect” button on the landing page. Here’s our breakdown of how to install the Tor browser on devices using the Linux operating system. These steps are, of course, backed by external sources for the best and most accurate methods. We already went through VPNs, anonymizing web browsers, and disposable operating systems, so I won’t bother reminding you about those.
- It’s designed for secure, decentralized storage and is often used for file sharing and accessing information anonymously.
- The majority of the web is called the “deep web” (often referred to as the “invisible” or “hidden” web).
- Taking the necessary precautions makes tracing your activities on the dark web difficult.
- It also aims to prevent web tracking, enhancing user privacy while searching the dark web.
- It incorporates an optional integrated Tor tab for clandestine browsing sessions.
Tips To Stay Safe When Using The Dark Web

A dotonion web address, which is exclusively accessible via Tor Browser, protects the identity of both websites and visitors through complex, encrypted, and anonymous connections. The Invisible Internet Project (I2P) is another dark web browser alternative focusing on end-to-end encrypted private network layers. Unlike Tor’s global network, I2P operates as a more localized, peer-to-peer network. It provides anonymity by routing traffic through multiple tunnels. I2P comes with a router that connects you to the network and applications for communication and file sharing within the I2P ecosystem.
It’s impossible to access the dark web with a regular browser like Chrome or Safari. The majority of the users on the dark web use the Tor (The Onion Router) browser. A vast number of URLs have domain endings such as “.onion”, which means that the URLs are only accessible by Tor users. The dark web is a decentralized web, which means that the data is stored on many different servers around the world.
Should I Use A VPN With Tor?
That means that even if an ISP is monitoring all of the known Tor relays, they may not be able to block all of the obfuscated bridges. One of the major advantages of using Tor in overly-restrictive countries is that it keeps your online travels private. Unfortunately, some oppressive regimes have figured out a way to block Tor traffic.
Use community-trusted directories, forums, and check reputation scores or comments on Reddit/darknet forums. If you’re not using Tor, a VPN, or proper anonymity tools, there is a risk of being tracked. Yes, using a VPN along with the Tor browser enhances your anonymity and security. Unique in that it can be accessed via the clearnet (not just Tor). Useful for public threat research, though limited in index depth. Designed to mimic Google’s layout, NotEvil gives safe, readable results.
How To Block Websites On Google Chrome
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. It is easily accessible by the general public and requires no special configuration. You can find sites like Facebook, Wikipedia, e-commerce sites, YouTube, and more here.
This is why a VPN is needed to protect you during your Onion browser dark web activities. If this isn’t something you like the sound of, or you’re living in a country where the Surface Web is blocked or restricted, the Dark Web could be for you. What you’ll also love about the Whonix browser is the fact you can’t just connect, but also has the capabilities to set up and manage your own Tor server. Everything you need to do this is available from within the browser and can even be run on a Virtual Machine. Below, we’ve listed nine of the best Dark/Deep Web browsers, making it easy for you to choose the hidden web browser that’s right for you. Though your ISP might not know what you’re doing, they can still tell that your IP has connected to Tor.
We’ll guide you through how to connect on Windows, Mac, Android, and even iOS. Dr.Fone – Virtual Location (iOS/Android) is a sophisticated yet user-friendly application designed to alter your phone’s GPS location without compromising the integrity of your device. Suitable for both iOS and Android, this tool offers a stress-free solution to spoof your whereabouts, all within a few clicks.