If you are new to the darknet, this guide will help you on your way.
The Dark Web, or Darknet, is a general term for a collection of websites on an encrypted network with hidden IP addresses – all of which give users strong anonymity protection. Because they are not indexed by traditional search engines, you can only access them with special anonymity browsers, such as I2P, and the most common, The Onion Router (TOR) bundle
The Dark Web is Not the Same as the Deep Web. The Deep Web is all the sites on the web that can’t be reached with a search engine. Although this includes sites on the Dark Web, it also includes sites that serve more mundane functions, such as business intranets, webmail platforms, databases, online banking platforms, and services that usually require a password or other means of authentication.
These are found and accessed directly with a URL or IP address and are hidden behind firewalls, paywalls and HTML forms. Because all these other pages are included in the Deep Web, the Deep Web is actually far more vast than the regular internet (also known as the Clear Web).
How to Access the Dark Web Safely
The main gateway to the Dark Web is the Tor browser this is an encrypted network of volunteer relays around the world through which users’ internet connections are routed. Although the relays are an integral part of what makes Tor anonymous, they can also lead to slow connections.
The easiest way to browse web pages is to download and install the Tor browser bundle. Tor URLs end in the suffix .onion . Unlike .com websites, the URLs are usually complex and difficult to remember, and websites will often change their URLs in order to evade detection and DDoS attacks. When you’re on the Dark Web, ISPs – and by extension, the government – might not be able to view your activity, but they will know you are on the Tor Network. This alone is enough to raise eyebrows in some countries. That’s why we recommend accessing Tor using a VPN.
The major concern with using Tor over a VPN is that it requires you to trust your VPN provider, as the provider may see that you are using Tor.
To mitigate this issue, use a VPN that does not log your activities, and connect to your VPN before opening the Tor browser.
Use These Steps as a Guide
Step 1. Get yourself a good VPN service. That means one that doesn’t keep logs, has no DNS leaks, and (preferably) accepts Bitcoin as payment.
Recommendations: Nord VPN / Express VPN
Step 2: Download and install the Tor browser. Download Tor from the official Tor project website ( https://www.torproject.org/download/ )
Step 3. Start browsing .onion websites by using these search engines.
Dark Web search engines:
Welcome to Dark Web Links (http://bznjtqphs2lp4xdd.onion/)
Candle (http://gjobqjj7wyczbqie.onion/ )
not Evil (http://hss3uro2hsxfogfq.onion/ )
Rules
Always be careful of the links you click. ( Rule of thumb, think twice before doing or clicking anything )
Avoid sites with Disturbing / Illegal / Unethical content. ( You know what unethical is meant in this case )
Always run with a VPN
Create a fake identity
Use encrypted mail services & messaging apps
Tools
Dark Web Search Engines
Torch
Google Scholar
DuckDuckGo
Fizzle
Not Evil
Start Page
Wayback Machine
Candle
Antiviruses
Malwarebytes
Encrypted Email Providers / SMS Apps
Protonmail
Keybase
Onionshare
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