Instead of ending in .com or .co, dark web websites end in .onion. That’s “a special-use top level domain suffix designating an anonymous hidden service reachable via the Tor network,” according to Wikipedia. Browsers with the appropriate proxy can reach these sites, but others can’t.
How To Get On The Dark Web: A Step-by-Step Guide
Sharing or even possessing abusive or exploitative content is also a very serious offense. The same laws that apply to the regular internet also apply here. Police do investigate and prosecute crimes that happen on the dark web. For example, in June 2025, Europol and U.S. partners shut down Archetyp Market, one of the longest-running drug markets on Tor (Europol 2025)4. In an attempt to stop criminal organizations operating on the dark web, authorities are setting up fake websites to track possible criminal activity.
Choose A VPN
All Surfshark servers are RAM-only and support the WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols. The company operates a strict no-logs policy and protects internet traffic using AES-256-GCM encryption together with a SHA512 authentication hash and 2048-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. The most common way to safely access the dark web is by connecting to a VPN and then opening the Tor browser. The dark web is something of a mystery to the average internet user. It tends to conjure vague notions of bad people secretly doing bad things.
- However, it’s important to be cautious when navigating dark web directories like The Hidden Wiki, which is notorious for hosting low-quality or harmful links, including phishing scams.
- According to recent research, Bitcoin tumblers are increasingly used for money laundering.
- 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.
- It also adds a crucial layer of encryption before your traffic even enters the Tor network.
- Next, select a dark web search engine like DuckDuckGo that can help you find dark web websites that cannot be indexed by traditional surface web search engines, such as Google or Bing.
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. This part of the internet is notorious for illegal activities, facilitated by the anonymity it offers.
Download Tor Browser
Regardless of why you may need to get on the dark web, protecting your connection and your data is crucial. AVG Secure VPN helps you conceal your IP address while encrypting your connection, keeping your activity more private. If you ever need to download and use Tor, a VPN will help prevent your ISP or anyone else from knowing about it.
This is where a VPN comes in, and a reliable VPN like NordVPN (read our NordVPN review here) can do wonders for you. You might’ve heard of the domain extension called “.onion“, which sits at the end of each dark web website. Indeed, these websites use “atypical” names and domains to present themselves. So, instead of “facebook.com”, the URL can look like “12ls834mfdg8.onion”.
Step 2: Install Hyphanet
Analytics Insight is an award-winning tech news publication that delivers in-depth insights into the major technology trends that impact the markets. The content produced on this website is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation. Always conduct your own research or check with certified experts before investing, and be prepared for potential losses. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Analytics Insight, or any of its affiliates, officers or directors. The “VPN-over-Tor” approach offers added protection, even if Tor is compromised.
How To Access The Dark Web Safely: Step-By-Step
If the signal goes through the Tor network first, your ISP will be able to see that you are attempting to connect to a Tor node. Though no one should bat an eye just because you’re attempting to access the dark web, keep in mind that in some countries, like the United States, even a simple foray can get you in trouble. Next step – your request will be transferred to Tor entry nod which in turn transfers to one or more Tor relays.
Are Sites On The Dark Web Illegal To Use And Visit?
Choosing Tor over standard browsers is crucial for dark web navigation due to its unique privacy features.
Finding Onion Sites
That is why you should only download the Tor browser from its official website. In most ways, the dark web resembles the clear web, but dark web sites often have a text-heavy, minimalistic design focused on anonymity and functionality. Another difference you’ll notice is that instead of seeing web addresses with a ‘.com’, ‘.org’, ‘.edu’, or ‘.gov’ suffix, they’ll end in ‘.onion’. Tor might have had security problems in the past, but it’s still the safest and most popular way to access the dark web. Sites on the dark web don’t come with easy-to-remember URLs, and many disappear suddenly. A dark web search engine can help you surf sites on the Tor browser.
In addition to the below categories, I also exclusively cover adblockers, authenticator apps, hardware security keys, and private messaging apps. I don’t recommend seeking out dark web content unless you have a specific reason to do so. If you want to observe the lawless sides of the internet from afar, check out YouTube videos of dark web explorations, like this one from John Hammond, to satisfy your curiosity. For example, ProPublica—a renowned investigative journalism non-profit— uses the dark web to communicate with whistleblowers and ensure readers can access content without facing retaliation.
A Dark Web Search Engine
Rather, you’ll need to visit dark web aggregators that share links to various pages, or wikis where users can add dark web links manually. Once connected to Tor, you’re ready to begin exploring the dark web. However, keep in mind that the dark web is not organized like the regular internet. Instead of search engines, you’ll need to rely on directories or specific .onion links.
The Ultimate Guide To Phishing Detection Software: Why AVP Suite Leads
This makes it more challenging to find specific sites, increasing the chances of stumbling upon malicious or fraudulent sites. Ahmia is a reliable search engine for the Tor network, filtering out illegal content and providing a safer browsing experience. However, due to the unindexed nature of much of the dark web, manual discovery is often required for many hidden services. The dark web is like the hidden basement of the internet, only accessible through special tools such as the Tor browser. Unlike the surface web, which is indexed by search engines like Google, the dark web requires some digital maneuvering to access its .onion sites. It’s important to note that not everything in this space is illicit; it serves as a refuge for privacy-conscious individuals and whistleblowers.
If you come across suspicious links, you should avoid clicking on them. It’s important to verify the legitimacy of a website before interacting to protect your personal data and security. Forest VPN adds an extra layer of security by encrypting your internet traffic. It ensures your activities remain untraceable, providing peace of mind.
To use a new circuit, click the circuit button next to the domain. Then, click on New Tor circuit for this site, as illustrated below. This button will reload the site with a new circuit, which may solve the connection issue. For example, we typed TechRadar.com into the address bar and accessed the website without any issues. To enable it, check the Always connect automatically button on the homepage. Since its public release, researchers have discovered various vulnerabilities in Tor, which have been quickly patched.
