Many people have heard about the dark web, a hidden part of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines. But how do you find this mysterious corner of the web? Below, we’ll explore some ways to access the dark web and stay safe while doing so.
Evading government restrictions to explore new political ideologies can be an imprisonable offense in some countries. China uses what is known as the “Great Firewall” limit access to popular sites for this exact reason. The risk of being a visitor to this content could lead to being placed on a watchlist or immediate targeting for a jail sentence. On the software end, the use of Tor and other anonymized browsers is not strictly illegal. In fact, these supposed “dark web” browsers are not tethered exclusively to this portion of the internet.
How To Access The Black Market Safely?
We used our dark web expertise to create this definitive guide in the hopes of debunking common misinformation and educating our audience about how to protect themselves from dark web threats. But with links on the dark web typically just alphanumeric strings of nonsense (think kwyjibo.onion) it can be very hard to know what you’re getting. The UN noted last month that although drug trafficking over the dark web is relatively modest, drug transactions increased 50 percent annually from September 2013 to January 2016. And in early 2016, then-US Attorney General Loretta Lynch warned that some gun sales were shifting to the dark web to stay outside the reach of regulations.
Weekly Cybersecurity Recap December 22
1. Using Tor Browser
The most common way to access the dark web is through the Tor browser. Tor stands for “The Onion Router” and is a free software that allows users to browse anonymously. Here’s how you can use it:
NordVPN — Good for Surfing Dark Web Sites in Normal Browsers
- Download the Tor browser from the official website.
- Install and open the browser on your computer.
- Start browsing the dark web using .onion websites.
2. Joining Private Forums or Marketplaces
Another way to find the dark web is by joining private forums or marketplaces that exist on this hidden network. These websites often require an invitation or membership, making them harder to access for the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the dark web actually anonymous?
- Is it legal to access the dark web?
- How can I stay safe on the dark web?
- Can I be tracked while browsing the dark web?
Ponzi schemes, identity theft, credit card fraud, and other financial scams happen there, so if you fall victim to dark web scams, you can suffer significant financial loss and personal harm. And when a crime is committed, it’s much more challenging for law enforcement to track down the cybercriminals and get your money back. Some hackers offer ransomware as a service (RaaS), where cybercriminals can “rent” a strain of ransomware from its creator in exchange for a fee or a percentage of their ransom payments.
While accessing the dark web itself is not illegal, engaging in illegal activities on it is against the law.
Avoid clicking on unknown links, never share personal information, and consider using a VPN for added security.
When Target was hacked in 2013, customer card details turned up on dark web marketplaces. Hackers have tried to do the same with Yahoo login credentials, and details of O2 phone network customers in the UK. Buying drugs, guns or the hacked personal details of millions of unsuspecting people — welcome to the dark web, where everything is off the grid. After we start the TOR browser for the first time, it will connect to the TOR Network. By default, the Security Level in TOR is set to standard, but if we are going to explore the Dark Web, I recommend we change that. For now, what we need to do is to download the TOR browser from the TOR Project Website and install it.
Using the Tor browser can help protect your anonymity, but it’s not foolproof. Be cautious about the information you share.
In the darknet, routes are set up manually and only trusted parties know your node’s IP address. The inconvenience of the darknet infrastructure is outweighed by the security it provides. In this system, the information stays available after the publisher has disconnected. Access is created through a backend web application and requires a key to access. While it was originally used by dissidents to circumvent censorship laws, it is now popularly used by cyber criminals to offload stolen and malicious content.
- The dark web is frequently characterized as a hotbed for illegal activity.
- And it hides your IP address from hackers, your internet service provider (ISP), and even government spies.
- The dark web would be helpful in this scenario by protecting the right to freedom of speech.
- Essentially, any webpage that requires a login is part of the deep web.
Cloud-native and analytic solutions provider Sumo Logic has announced a cybersecurity incident stemming from a compromised AWS account. Group 1001 is the parent company of Delaware Life, a long-term financial consultant for organizations. Delaware Life uses a third-party vendor, Pension Benefit Information (PBI), for analysis and research services. This week, the cybersecurity environment continued to be rocked by the global MOVEit data breach. Various Stanford Health groups had information taken in the MOVEit event, up to 1.6 million patient records. Cybersecurity breaches are at epidemic proportions; in the last two years, cybercriminals have stolen over 2.6 billion consumer records from thousands of organizations.
Now that you know how to find the dark web, remember to exercise caution and be aware of the potential risks involved. Happy exploring!
