The word ‘dark web’ seems to hold some secrecy. Yes, the dark web is a hidden part of the Internet that cannot be accessed easily
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a collection of hidden internet sites. A normal web browser like Chrome cannot access the dark web. The dark web is used to perform anonymous internet browsing. It is also used for highly illegal activity. These sites are accessible via specialized web browsers.
How to access the dark web?
Earlier, the dark web was once only accessible to hackers, law officers, and cybercriminals. However, U.S. Naval Army made it accessible to everyone by a specialized network browser, Tor. They launched the alpha version of The Onion Project (TOR) in 2002.
Tor browser uses encrypted servers known as “nodes.” This allows users to access the deep web without being tracked by being anonymous.
Is it illegal to use the dark web?
It is not illegal to access the dark web. It is, however illegal if it is used for illegal activities.
However, one must be careful before exploring the dark web. You could also expose your device to malware.
The dark web homes several illegal activities like pornography, drug trafficking, selling of arms, etc.
For instance, a site named Silk Route was used to buy illicit drugs. The founder was arrested in 2014 and given life imprisonment. The Silk Road was shut down in 2013. A similar site known as AlphaBay was shut down in 2017.
The dark web also advocates pornography. Several videos for child pornography are available on the dark web. The dark web is also a market for firearms. Moreover, the dark web is also used for selling credit card details or passwords. The cybercriminals then use these detail to make unauthorized purchases.
Together with Bitcoin, which allows users to make purchases anonymously, the dark web offers people to make illegal purchases easily.
Steps to access the dark web
Here are the steps to access the dark web. However, be safe from illegal sites and malware attacks.
Download TOR:
Go to torproject.org and download Tor. Now you are connected to the dark web. However, you must know the URL for the dark web sites. There are several illegal sites so one must be careful before browsing any of these sites.
To ensure your privacy, you should consider connecting to a VPN (virtual private network). Creating a private network prevents cybercriminals from intercepting any of your personal information.
YouTube channels to learn Dark Web
- Dark Web Academy: This YouTube channel has videos for setting up the Tor network. It has several videos related to the dark web marketplace, dark web acronyms and vocabulary along with videos for dark web links. You can refer to this channel if you are curious about learning the dark web.
- Crypto NWO: This YouTube channels has a playlist for learning about dark web.
- Tech Insider: This YouTube channel has a separate playlist for accessing dark web sites like “How to find anything on the dark web”. You can refer to this channel if you are want to learn about accessing dark web.
