Want To Get on the Dark Web? Here’s How

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(Newswire.net — August 13, 2022) — The dark web. What more is there to say? The dark web is a hushed subject for most, but millions of us are also curious as to what is on there. So, are you curious about the dark web? This question might raise a few eyebrows and create some tension in the air for cybersecurity specialists and tech buffs, at the very least. Also, the answer to this question is probably a resounding yes for those that have heard about the dark web but are apprehensive about accessing it or even reading about how to access it.

Millions of us have not yet heard of the dark web, however. Although the dark web isn’t essential in your life, it is one of those things that carries with it a mysterious and dangerous aura. What is more, such a thing as the dark web has built up a cult following ever since there was a way to create an additional internet space ‘below’ the internet.

In fact, today it is estimated that the deep web and dark web combined are several times larger than the internet we all browse known as the ‘clear web’. Now, the name ‘dark’ attached to the web may strike a dash of fear and hesitation in people. Well, let’s say that this assumption wouldn’t be wrong and that the name is there for a very, very good and logical reason. 

Now, for those brave souls out there, the good news is that there is a very simple way to access the dark web and we will get into exactly how you can do that. But, simply accessing the dark web is like walking into a jungle in the middle of the night. You never know what can grab you from underneath and cause trouble.

Also, being aware of what to touch and what not to touch in this jungle (and where to tread) is essential before you enter through this gate, as it were. As such, let’s get into what exactly the dark web is in-depth, and run through an overview on how you can safely access it. The emphasis is on safe access because the dark web is not a place for the light-hearted nor is it recommended that you remain there for long periods of time.

What is the Dark Web?

The internet is not a one-dimensional space, far from it. To understand the internet, we need to visualize a structure. Let’s use a common example that describes these layers quite well. If you were to imagine a large iceberg, both the deep and dark web would be in the dark below the water. The part of the iceberg above the water is what we all browse every day for our daily work and entertainment needs.

This is what is known as the clear web. What separates these three spaces are three things; how they are accessed, what they contain, and how large they are.

The dark web is considered by most to be a part of the much larger, cavernous deep web. However, the two are not the same, at all. You see, apart from the clear web that we use daily, there are several layers below in the depths. Some of these layers make up the backbones of the internet such as databases and configuration files without which the internet would not work at all.

Now, somewhere in the recesses of the deep web is another encapsulated and difficult-to-access area known as the dark web. The clear web, to clarify, is where your Gmail, Facebook, Google search, YouTube, and all the rest are located. This is also what is known as the area that can be indexed (by search engines such as Google).

The dark web received its name because of what it contains and the fact that it can only be accessed by a certain anonymous browser technology. This technology is known as Tor (The onion router). Other browsers that can access .onion links exist too, but Tor is usually preferred for its completeness. Remember, no other browser can access the dark web area, and as such you must download Tor first to access .onion links (which are dark web pages).

Like we said earlier, the dark web is called that way for a reason. It is a very, very dark place. Even so, this is not to discourage anyone away from the platform, but to encourage you to stay as secure as possible. The platform does contain very useful links and holds a wealth of information that journalists, privacy advocates, and researchers can anonymously browse.

On the other hand, the most unspeakable and despicable things you can imagine are also on the dark web including illegal pornography, weapons sales, the illegal drugs trade, human trafficking, malicious software, and even hitmen for hire. 

How Do You Access the Dark Web?

Now that you know just how dark the dark web is, why would you want to access it? Well, as we said earlier, there is a wealth of interesting information (and useful information) on the dark web that might benefit you. After all, the dark web is an anonymous place hidden from the rest of the world and all governments. This is also the reason you want to be careful what you click on and what you browse.

While using the dark web via the Tor browser, please ensure that you use a high-end VPN service that will encapsulate, encrypt and anonymize your connection. A VPN combined with Tor is the ultimate anonymity combination. Using Tor by itself anonymizes you already, especially in the ‘Strictest’ mode which turns off Javascript.

However, you can never be too careful about browsing the dark web and multiple layers of anonymization are optimal. For optimal security, you should be looking at a multi-hop capable VPN such as offerings from NordVPN to use in combination with the Tor browser. Naturally, while using the Tor browser, it is important that you opt for the strictest security mode in settings.