While Tor is designed to give you privacy while browsing the dark web, it’s not entirely safe. There might be malicious nodes with the Tor network, and there’s always the risk of your IP address leaking. Third parties like your ISP can also see when you access Tor and report it to the authorities, even if you’re not doing anything illegal. It’s essential to have additional security measures in place when using Tor.
Best Free VPNs For The Dark Web: Safer Access
NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol is more than secure, with a certified no-logging policy that guarantees no logging and storing of your sensitive data. This method is far more complex but we’ll still explain it for those too curious. As opposed to the previous situation, here, you’re first connecting to Tor and then the VPN.
Despite the dark web’s anonymity, users still need tools to navigate its vast and often confusing landscape. Several dark web search engines have been developed to index and provide access to hidden services. Examples include Ahmia, which filters out illegal content and offers a safer search experience, and Torch, known for its extensive index of dark web sites. The Dark Web—a hidden part of the internet accessible only through specialized tools like Tor—often conjures images of mystery, intrigue, and even danger. However, navigating this hidden digital landscape in 2025 presents heightened security risks, from advanced cyber threats to targeted surveillance. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to safely explore the Dark Web using Tor, helping you stay protected, informed, and anonymous.
What Is Tor?
Accessing the Dark Web using the Tor Browser is not just about exploring hidden parts of the internet—it’s about understanding privacy and cybersecurity in the modern world. Journalist in India → Uses Tor to access a whistleblowing portal → Submits information anonymously while protecting their identity. Install AVG Secure VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy wherever you go on the web. Download AVG Secure VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy wherever you go on the web. It offers outstanding privacy features and there is currently a discounted rate available through this link. As you might expect, Bitcoin is the top cryptocurrency being used on the Dark Web.
What Is The Dark Web? How To Use Tor To Access The Dark Web
Yes, many organizations monitor the dark web for cybersecurity intelligence—always in line with legal compliance. Please check your local laws to ensure your use of VPN complies with statutory requirements. If you’re planning to return, consider creating a burner OS or using a hardened Linux distro like Tails. These tools leave no trace on your device and reduce your exposure even if something goes wrong. Never install extensions or additional add-ons, even if they seem useful.
Proton VPN
If you need an idea of where to start, check out our list of the best dark web sites in 2025. Onion sites aren’t really dangerous, but they could be when accessed through unfamiliar or suspicious links. This will help you to remain anonymous and secure at all Tor entry and exit nodes. It uses TrustedServer technology on the entire server network to wipe out your data after every session. The Tor browser provides access to “.onion” websites, which are Tor hidden services that you can only access through the Tor browser.
Added Security: Use A VPN
The many layers of an onion represent the multiple layers of encryption in the Tor network. The difference between the dark web and the deep web is that the deep web refers to websites and web pages that aren’t indexed by search engines, like login pages and payment portals. The dark web, by contrast, is configured on darknets — online networks that can be accessed only with special software and techniques. The Dark Web refers to hidden websites that aren’t indexed by regular search engines like Google or Bing. These websites use special encryption protocols and are accessible only through anonymizing tools like the Tor Browser.
The dark web is also a place for scammers to attract vulnerable and unwitting victims. The platform is also used by governmental cyber departments to identify and track potential criminals or offenders. You can never be sure who’s really behind the other end of the line.
Illegal Pornography
I2P can only be used to access hidden sites that are only available on the I2P network. It’s impossible to access the dark web with a regular browser like Chrome or Safari. The dark web is a decentralized web, which means that the data is stored on many different servers around the world. It has been estimated that a large percentage of dark web traffic is related to illegal pornography that includes underage victims.
Not to mention its Advanced Protection that blocks malicious sites, trackers, and ads. This is accompanied by the Network Lock kill switch that also prevents IP leaks. Before we explain how to venture into this part of the internet, we need to see what you’re setting yourself up for. Unlike the surface web, the dark web is a part of the internet not indexed by conventional search engines.
A VPN and Tor should be used together and it is advisable to connect via a VPN to Tor, rather than vice versa, for the best protection possible. However, remaining anonymous can be invaluable to protesters, civil rights groups, journalists, lawyers, and other vulnerable groups. Illegal marketplaces are merely a small fraction of what’s actually there. The dark web, however, requires special software to access, as explained below. You could consider the clear or surface web the “top” and visible layer of the internet, easily accessible using a browser such as Safari, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Live OS options that can be run on nearly any computer by simply popping a USB stick in and booting from it include Subgraph OS, Freepto, and Tails.
- That means that only 0.024% of all the known pages are findable in Google’s search engine.
- In his spare time, Michael likes writing fiction, reading murder mystery novels, and spending time with his family.
- However, these names likely conjure up a scarier conception than the real definition of the dark web.
- In order to make using the Tor network easier, the special Tor browser was developed.
- This means your private information, location, and any communications you send are hidden and protected.
Finding And Accessing Sites On The Dark Web
While they can’t see your browsing activity, some countries monitor or flag Tor users. Use a VPN before connecting to Tor (Tor over VPN) or an obfuscated bridge, which makes Tor traffic look likfe normal web traffic. Before accessing the dark web, use a secure Tor VPN to hide your IP address and data from ISPs and potential malicious nodes on the dark web. You can download native VPN apps for different devices from its website or official app stores. The best browser for safely accessing the dark web is the Tor browser. Install and open the Tor browser, then configure your connection (default settings work for most users).
Step 2: Download And Install Tor Browser
The trick with these onion websites is their accessibility, which is made possible only with Tor. Tor is an abbreviation for The Onion Router and now, we can see why. The history of the Dark Web reflects the intricate interplay between technology, privacy concerns, and the ever-evolving landscape of online activities.
