You’ll need an overlay network to facilitate your dark web access. To access the surface web or the deep web, all you need is a standard internet browser like Google Chrome or Safari. Once you’ve chosen a VPN provider and have successfully set up your account, you’re ready to start looking at overlay networks. VPN stands for virtual private network, and it acts as a security bubble for communications from your device.
Dark Web Tools & Services
But, if you are planning to do more than just browse Tor sites and, for example, you plan to purchase goods via the Tor network (for your own good, stick to the legal stuff), it’s important to take some extra precautions. Since you’ve now installed the Tor browser, you can safely browse dark web websites and other (previously) hidden websites. But again, your ISP won’t be able to see any of the content you’re reading or what you are sending and receiving through the Tor network.
Configure Tor Browser Settings
A little typo can lead you to a clone designed to trick users into handing over sensitive data. Onion sites end in “.onion” instead of “.com,” “.co,” “.net,” etc. If so, it’s better to use the onion address instead of the standard one. Many popular websites, such as Facebook and DuckDuckGo, have Onion versions, so check if yours has one. The tradeoff is that you don’t get personalized search results, as DuckDuckGo doesn’t collect user data.
Home Users
- Tech researcher and writer with a passion for cybersecurity.
- Valentina Bravo is a managing editor at Cloudwards with a rich background in technology topics, particularly productivity tools and online security.
- However, using the dark web for illegal activity can be a criminal offense.
- We pay our bills online, check our bank statements, communicate via email, find information, and maintain a presence on social media.
While tools like the Tor Browser offer strong anonymity, things like downloading files, enabling JavaScript, or logging into personal accounts can expose your identity. Finally, it lets you appear as if you’re browsing from a specific country (the country the VPN server you’re connected to is in). There are a few reasons why you might choose VPN over Tor, but only attempt this if you know what you’re doing. It protects your real IP address even if Tor leaks, is easier to set up, and works with most major VPN services. Tor over VPN and VPN over Tor both involve using a VPN with the Tor network, but in different orders. For example, journalists, whistleblowers, and privacy-conscious individuals often use it to communicate securely or access uncensored information in restrictive regions.
The dark web (often referred to as the “dark net”, “black web”, or “black net”) is a small section of the deep web that is hidden and kept inaccessible to regular internet users on purpose. The deep web contains sites and pages that are often prevented from being indexed by search engines and contain unlinked content. First, let me explain that this article is intended for users who want to use the dark web for legal and needed purposes, such as finding censored news, blocked websites, and other much-needed services.
There’s evidence that law enforcement agencies in freer countries operate many exit nodes for monitoring and surveillance purposes. The entry node is the first server in the Tor chain, the relay node is the middle node and the exit node is the last server in the network. If your incoming traffic passes through a node run by cybercriminals, they could inject malware into the response code. Though most volunteers mean well, others are malicious actors and surveillance agencies. You can never be sure of the motive of the person operating the node that your traffic is routed through. Regardless of what brings you to the dark web, you should be aware of the dangers emanating from the limitations of the Tor network.
Install The Tor Browser
Unlike surface web searches, dark web search engines index hidden services and avoid tracking user activity. The Tor Browser is the most commonly used tool to access .onion websites. The dark web refers to encrypted online content not indexed by standard search engines like Google or Bing. Most internet users access the deep web several times a day to perform common tasks, such as checking email, accessing a bank account, or reviewing health or school records. The dark web is the part of the internet where users can access unindexed web content anonymously through special web browsers like The Onion Router (Tor). Risks include exposure to malware and phishing attacks, scams on marketplaces, and accidentally accessing illegal content.
Do I Need A VPN To Access The Dark Web Using Tor?
Other privacy networks like I2P, Lokinet, and Freenet offer different layers of security and anonymity. A VPN adds protection before Tor, closing these gaps without breaking access to .onion sites. This hides your Tor usage from local networks, masks direct Tor connections, protects against network-level surveillance, and reduces the risk of being flagged for accessing privacy tools. Many sites on the dark web are scams, and some host illegal content.
Accessing the Dark Web, a part of the web that isn’t indexed by standard search engines, is not illegal in most countries. The dark web marketplaces thrive on the demand for illegal services and extreme content. Law enforcement agencies in many countries monitor the dark web to combat illegal activities.
No, accessing the dark web isn’t illegal in most countries. Its small server network is fast and able to access content from major streaming providers. The company may not have a large server network and access to much in the way of geo-restricted streaming content, but it does have plenty going for it in terms of privacy.
Essential Tools You Need To Search The Dark Web Safely
When data brokers get hacked, the stolen data can include compromised credit cards, social security numbers, and other data, depending on what was exposed in the breach. To check, you can use dark web scanning or breach detection tools like Avast Hack Check or LifeLock Breach Detection to search for compromised data. By monitoring known dark web marketplaces, Avast BreachGuard will alert you immediately if and when your data is found.
Best Dark Web Sites 2025 – Detailed List
Tor isn’t available for iOS due to Apple’s restrictions, but you can still access the dark web on your iPhone using the Onion Browser, which is from the Tor Project. To access the dark web, you’ll need to use a dedicated browser — Tor on Android or the Onion Browser on iPhone. For maximum security and privacy while browsing the dark web, check out the top 10 VPNs for 2025. I’ve put together detailed guides on how to access the dark web safely on both Android and iOS. “Dark Web Monitoring & Threat Intelligence.” ZeroFox.com, 2025.
High-profile cases like the Silk Road, an infamous online black market, highlighted the extent of illegal activities facilitated by the dark web. Similarly, in the European Union, privacy laws regulate the handling of personal data and address illegal activities. Legal frameworks focus on the content and transactions conducted on the dark web rather than the act of accessing it. Browsing legal content or engaging in lawful activities is permissible, but engaging in illegal activities is not. The legality of accessing the dark web depends on the activities conducted while on it. That said, if you’re serious about staying secure and anonymous long-term, NordVPN is clearly the best VPN for accessing the dark web.
HTTPS-only
Most dark web sites are unregulated, which means that there are fewer mechanisms in place to prevent you from accidentally downloading malware. This creates a privacy risk even if they can’t see what you’re doing on the dark web. It’s a good idea to connect to a trusted VPN before you even open the Tor Browser to access the dark web. Even if they aren’t actively malicious, they might still have weak security or expose you to threats. The Tor Browser is the safest and most trusted way to access the dark web.
As a result, you cannot find them with a regular search engine. Some of the deep web sites do not use standard top-level domains (TLD) such as .gov, .com, .net, etc. You can find sites like Facebook, Wikipedia, e-commerce sites, YouTube, and more here. It is easily accessible by the general public and requires no special configuration. Instead, you need a specific configuration, software, or authorization, such as Tor, to access it.
The Tor is a changing proxy overlay network that includes Tor bridges to keep your connection hidden. Below are the steps based on our tests to access Onion sites safely on your cell phone. You’re probably mistaken if you think accessing the dark web on your phone is as easy as simply typing or “log in” to “dark web,”.
