image of person holding a tablet to access the net or the dark web
Accessing the dark web is not a complicated operation, even though it may take time to find the hidden sites that interest you. VPNs, Tor, .onion directories—we’ll give you the basics to start your exploring experience.
The Dark Web
It is the source of many fantasies. It provides access to a hidden part of the internet that isn’t available through standard tools, which makes it mysterious and fuels various beliefs, often negative, about illegal activities. However, it’s much more than that.
What is the dark web? Is it dangerous? How can you access it? These are some of the questions we’ll answer in this article.
What Is the Dark Web?
You might think you have access to everything once you open a browser and visit a search engine, but you’re only scratching the surface. It’s estimated that less than 10% of the web is open, while the rest is hidden. This visible part of the internet is called the “surface web,” consisting of publicly accessible websites: online news, social media, public sites—basically, anything you can find via Google, Qwant, DuckDuckGo (the second most promoted search engine on Android after Google), or any other search engine.
Next, there’s the “deep web,” which makes up the vast majority (over 90%) of online content. These pages aren’t indexed by search engines and can’t be accessed through simple queries. They often include private information and databases meant for specific individuals: corporate intranets, personal medical records, business data, university resources, government services, etc. You need the exact URL to access them, and they may also be password-protected.
Finally, the last layer is the one we’re most interested in here: the dark web. It represents a small portion of the deep web but has its own specificities. It’s harder to access because, unlike the deep web, you need a special browser like Tor to visit hidden sites. URLs on the dark web can change frequently to evade surveillance and are very different from standard URLs. They’re usually a random mix of letters and numbers, ending with a suffix like .onion (for Tor) instead of the familiar .fr, .com, .net, or .org.
To symbolize these three components of the web, the iceberg metaphor is often used. The surface web is the tip of the iceberg, the deep web is the submerged part, and the dark web is the deepest zone of the submerged portion. Similarly, Tor stands for “The Onion Router,” referencing the layers of the web, like an onion.
Also read: Data from 73 million internet users is for sale on the online. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68701958#:~:text=Personal%20data%20belonging%20to%2073,the%20US%20telecoms%20giant%20said.
Why Go on the Dark Web?
Due to its lack of control and the ability to browse anonymously, it hosts many illegal activities. However, it’s also used by political dissidents or persecuted populations to communicate without fear of identification. It effortlessly allows users to evade government surveillance, making it popular in countries where individuals are targeted for their political views, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
It is also a tool for accessing otherwise inaccessible information or bypassing government censorship. Originally, the Tor project was created by U.S. intelligence agencies to facilitate secure communication online.
Lastly, the dark web can be useful for acquiring goods and services that are hard to access otherwise, all while remaining anonymous.
Is the Dark Web Illegal?
You won’t face legal consequences simply for accessing the dark web or using Tor—both are perfectly legal. However, if you engage in illegal activities on the dark web, you’ll be subject to local laws, just as you would on the surface web. It all depends on how you use it, but accessing the dark web itself is not illegal.
Do You Need a VPN to Access the Dark Web?
Using a VPN isn’t necessary to access the dark web. However, Tor and the dark web don’t make your browsing completely anonymous—your IP address can still be traced back to you. A VPN can prevent your ISP or government agencies from tracking you or even knowing you’re using Tor. Tor itself encrypts your traffic, but combining it with a VPN enhances privacy.
If you want to protect your privacy and anonymity, it’s recommended to use a VPN, which should be activated before connecting to Tor. Connecting to Tor via a VPN is more effective than the reverse.
How to Access the Dark Web?
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter. Below, we’ll describe how to access the dark web in a few simple steps. No advanced technical skills are required—anyone can do it.
1. Connect to a VPN
As mentioned earlier, this step is optional. Depending on your goals and privacy requirements, you can decide whether to use a VPN. Avoid free VPNs, as they’re often untrustworthy. Check our selection of the best paid VPNs for reliable options.
2. Launch Tor Browser
Next, download and install a browser that allows access to the dark web. Forget Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge, etc.—none of them work. Tor Browser is the most well-known solution.
Visit the official Tor Project website from any browser and click the “Download Tor Browser” button on the homepage. Choose your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, or Android). You can also download the alpha version, but the stable version is recommended to avoid bugs.
Once downloaded, install Tor like any other application, following the on-screen instructions (language selection, installation folder, etc.). After installation, launch Tor.
On first startup, you’ll be prompted to connect directly or configure settings. For most users, connecting without configuration is sufficient. Choose “Configure” only if you’re on a network requiring a proxy or in a country that censors Tor (e.g., China, Turkey, or Egypt).
Once connected, you’ll see Tor’s interface, which resembles Mozilla Firefox. By default, the search engine is DuckDuckGo, but this won’t take you to the dark web—it works like any other browser.
3. Access the Dark Web
To visit .onion sites (inaccessible without Tor), you’ll need the full URL. If you don’t know any .onion addresses, you can search for them online or use dark web directories. Here are some useful sites (we won’t list their addresses for obvious reasons):
– The Hidden Wiki– One of the most well-known, often considered the Wikipedia of the dark web.
– TorLinks
– Welcome to Dark Web Links
– Not Evil
– Candle
Open these sites only through Tor. Don’t worry if the browser is slow—this is the trade-off for encrypted, secure connections that route through multiple nodes.
Final Reminder
Not all sites, services, or files on the this web are legal. Be cautious about the content you access. As with the regular internet, watch out for malware and avoid downloading files from unverified sources. Do you want to know if you are vulnerable to hacks? or do you just want to secure all your devices ? then visit https://noblehackshield.com