Dark Web: what it is and how to access it. A gomplete guide

Table of contents

• What is the Deep Web?
• Deep Web vs. Dark Web: key differences
• What is the Dark Web?
• How to enter the Dark Web
• Dark Web browsers: Tor and slternatives
• What you can find on the Dark Web
• Why the Dark Web is dangerous
• Silk road: A notorious Dark Web case
• Use a VPN to browse the Dark Web safely

When we think about the internet, we often only consider the visible layer—what we find through search engines like Google or Bing. However, there’s a much larger and hidden portion, known as the Deep Web, and within it lies the mysterious and often misunderstood Dark Web.

These two digital realms are different, yet frequently confused.

In this guide, we’ll explain

• What the Dark Web is
• What you can find there
• How to enter the Dark Web
• The difference between Deep Web and Dark Web
• Associated risks, and tools to safely browse the Dark Web

What is the Deep Web?

The Deep Web refers to parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines. This means they don’t appear in results from Google or Bing. Contrary to popular belief, the Deep Web is not inherently dangerous. It includes:

• Emails and private messages
• Online banking portals
• Internal company databases
• Subscription-based academic content
• Login-protected forums

Example
Accessing your bank account online takes you into the Deep Web, because authentication is required. In short, it’s a part of the internet that is protected from public access, not necessarily used for illegal purposes.

Deep Web vs. Dark Web: key differences

People often use the terms Dark Web and Deep Web interchangeably, but they refer to distinct areas of the internet.

So while all content on the Dark Web is part of the Deep Web, not all Deep Web content is part of the Dark Web.

What is the Dark Web?

The Dark Web is a hidden segment of the internet that cannot be accessed using standard browsers or search engines.

It exists within the Deep Web and requires specific tools like the Tor Browser to reach.

Unlike regular websites that end with common top-level domains such as .com, .net, or .org, dark web sites use the special .onion extension, which is only reachable via the Tor network.

To access the Dark Web, the Tor Browser encrypts the user’s traffic and routes it through a series of decentralized servers (called relays or nodes) operated by volunteers worldwide. Each relay only knows the previous and next hop in the chain, but not the full route.

This layered encryption process—known as onion routing—makes it nearly impossible to trace a user’s IP address or location. It ensures anonymity for both the site visitor and the server host.

The Tor network was originally developed in the early 2000s by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory to enable secure and anonymous communication for military and intelligence operations.

In 2004, Tor became an open-source project supported by privacy advocates and organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). It has since been adopted by journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and citizens in repressive regimes to bypass censorship and communicate securely.

However, the same anonymity that empowers freedom of expression can also attract cybercriminals and illegal operations. The Dark Web can be a marketplace for drugs, weapons, counterfeit documents, stolen data, illegal pornography, and hacking-for-hire services.

Yet, not all dark web sites are illicit: there are legal and ethical uses, including anonymous news portals, encrypted libraries, decentralized social media platforms, and secure whistleblowing tools like SecureDrop, used by reputable news organizations such as The New York Times and ProPublica.

Ultimately, the Dark Web is a neutral technological environment—its ethical implications depend entirely on how it is used. Understanding the technical architecture and risks involved is crucial to browsing the Dark Web safely and responsibly.

How to enter the Dark Web

How to enter the Dark Web? It is possible to access using Tor. Browsing this hidden part of the Internet is not possible with traditional tools like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

Unlike the Deep Web, which can often be accessed with standard browsers if you know the exact URL, the Dark Web requires specialized software. Conventional tools like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari won’t help you here.

To access the Dark Web safely, you must follow a few essential steps.

1. Download the Tor Browser

The first and most crucial step is installing the Tor Browser, a free and open-source browser based on Mozilla Firefox. It is specifically configured to connect to the Tor network (The Onion Router), which encrypts and routes your web traffic through multiple relays worldwide.

You can download it from the official Tor Project website: https://www.torproject.org/

Once installed, the Tor Browser allows you to browse both the surface web and dark web sites ending in .onion. Every request is bounced through at least three different encrypted nodes, concealing your IP address and identity.

2. Connect Through a VPN

Before opening Tor, it is highly recommended to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN encrypts your entire internet connection and hides your real IP address, adding a critical layer of privacy before you even connect to the Tor network.

A reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark, provides the following benefits:

• It masks your real IP address before traffic enters the Tor network.
• It prevents your ISP from detecting that you’re using Tor.
• It safeguards against surveillance and correlation attacks.

Some advanced users implement a VPN over Tor or Tor over VPN configuration, depending on their threat model and specific security needs.

3. Find Trustworthy .onion Sites

After successfully connecting to the Tor network, you’ll need to find .onion websites to visit. These dark web sitesare not indexed by traditional search engines like Google or Bing. To discover them, you must rely on internal directories or dark web search engines.

Useful resources include:

• The Hidden Wiki
  A comprehensive index of .onion links, categorized by topics like forums, markets, security tools, and news.
• Torch
  A Tor-native search engine that lets you explore the Dark Web much like Google does with the surface web.
• Other alternatives
  Ahmia, Kilos, OnionSearch, and Not Evil.

Caution: Many .onion URLs change frequently for operational security. Also, some indexes may link to dangerous or illegal content, honeypots, or phishing sites. To stay safe, consider browser extensions like NoScript and HTTPS Everywhere, and avoid downloading unknown files or clicking suspicious links.

Dark Web browsers: Tor and slternatives

The main dark web browser is Tor (The Onion Router). It enables users to browse the Dark Web anonymously by routing traffic through multiple Tor nodes and encrypting data at each hop.

Other tools include:

• I2P (Invisible Internet Project)
  A lesser-known privacy-focused network.
• Freenet
  A decentralized platform mainly used for file-sharing and private communication.

However, Tor Browser remains the most popular and user-friendly way to access the Dark Web.

What you can find on the Dark Web

What can be found on the Dark Web? The collective imagination only thinks of illegal activities, but it’s not all so clear-cut. Some examples of content:

Legal content

• .onion versions of legitimate websites (e.g., ProPublica, New York Times)
• Secure forums for activists and journalists
• Anonymous blogs and chatrooms
• Whistleblower platforms like SecureDrop

Illegal content

• Markets for stolen data, credit card info, and fake IDs
• Drug and weapons trade
• Hacking services and malware
• Child abuse content (strictly pursued by authorities)

A 2016 study by Terbium Labs found that roughly 50% of sampled dark web sites were legal. However, the Dark Web can be a hub for illegal online activity.

Why the Dark Web is dangerous

The Dark Web can be a risky place. Major threats include:

• Malware
  Many sites inject viruses, spyware, or ransomware.
• Phishing scams
  Fake services or shops that steal money or data.
• Law enforcement tracking
  Authorities may infiltrate forums or trace transactions.
• Graphic and disturbing content
  Unfiltered and potentially traumatizing material.

Sailing therefore requires caution, common sense, and appropriate protective equipment.

Silk road: A notorious Dark Web case

Perhaps the most famous dark web site was Silk Road, an illegal marketplace launched in 2011, accessible only through Tor. It offered drugs, weapons, counterfeit documents, and more, all paid with Bitcoin.

In 2013, the FBI shut down Silk Road and arrested its founder, Ross Ulbricht, who was later sentenced to life imprisonment. The case showed that even on the Dark Web, cybercriminals can be tracked and prosecuted.

Use a VPN to browse the Dark Web safely

Besides Tor, using a VPN is essential to browse the Dark Web securely. Top VPN options include:

• NordVPN
  Military-grade AES-256 encryption, over 7400 servers.
• ExpressVPN
  RAM-only servers, zero-logs policy, ultra-fast.
• Surfshark
  Unlimited device connections, ad and malware blocker.

These tools hide your IP address and protect your online activities from surveillance or interception.

Questions and answers

1. What is the Dark Web?
   It’s a hidden part of the internet, only accessible via tools like Tor, that enables anonymous browsing.
2. Is it illegal to access the Dark Web?
   Accessing it isn’t illegal, but many of its contents and services are.
3. How can I safely enter the Dark Web?
   Use a trusted VPN, the Tor Browser, and avoid suspicious links or downloads.
4. What are the risks of browsing the Dark Web?
   Exposure to malware, scams, law enforcement tracking, and disturbing content.
5. Are there any legal dark web sites?
   Yes. News outlets, privacy blogs, and whistleblower portals all exist on the Dark Web.
6. Is the Deep Web dangerous?
   No. It mostly includes password-protected and private content like emails and bank portals.
7. What kind of criminal activity occurs on the Dark Web?
   Drug dealing, weapon sales, stolen data, and hacking services.
8. Can my IP address be exposed?
   Yes, unless you use Tor and a VPN to anonymize your connection.
9. Do journalists and governments use the Dark Web?
   Yes, for secure communication in sensitive or authoritarian contexts.
10. What happened to Silk Road?
    It was shut down by the FBI in 2013, and its founder was sentenced to life in prison.