Have you ever wondered how vast the realm of the internet is? It is like a whole universe. As of February 2023, there were around 1.13 billion websites in the entire world however over 900 million of those have been deactivated and there are only 200 million operational websites on the internet right now. Which is still a big number. This means that there are millions of websites that you will never be able to visit.
However, this number is only for the websites on the surface web. Other than the sheer large number of websites there is also a section of the internet that isn’t easily accessible to general internet users. That part is known as the dark web. People use a secure network like Tor browser to visit these dark websites.
What Are The Dark Web Links?
The dark web is a mysterious section of the internet which can be used for both good and bad. It depends on the person using it. There are millions of dark web sites and in order to access them you need to have the dark web links for those websites amongst other things.
Other things include a VPN and a secure browser i.e. the most authentic of which is the tor browser. It is very important to be careful when accessing dark web links as not all the dark web links you find are going to be authentic. Some of them can be just phishing links or wrong links given by hackers so that they can get access to your device.
How to Make Sure That the Dark Web Links You Are Getting Are Secure?
The best way to know if the dark web links you are about to access are authentic or not is to ask someone who has already accessed that link. Word of mouth from the people you trust is the best way to judge the authenticity of a dark web link.
If you don’t know anyone who has accessed dark websites before and you are looking to access a few dark websites on your own then the best way to do so is by visiting the dark websites yourself. It is risky but you can take a few steps to mitigate that risk.
How To Mitigate Risks While Accessing Dark Web Links?
Millions of people use the dark web every month. It is a common misconception that only bad people use it. It has a lot of good uses as well. And people who are using it for good purposes must take effective precautionary measures in order to mitigate the risks that come with accessing darknet websites.
Here are some ways you can access the dark web links safely.
Public Networks Are Great For Dark Web Users
First and foremost it is important to access the darknet websites on a public network. Never visit the darknet websites on your home network. Millions of people use public WIFI networks and that is what can provide you with a layer of security.
The Best Way to Prepare Your Devices for Accessing Dark Web Links
When accessing the dark web links make sure you do not use devices that are in your personal use. Never access the darknet websites on a device that you are going to later on connect to your home network. You never know if a hacker has already left malware in your device and they may attack your home network and other devices once you connect the hacked device to your home network.
This can get really dangerous, especially for people who have automated home security installed in their house that is operated through their laptops or mobile phones.
A more preferable thing to do would be to use a computer at an internet cafe. But by doing so you might be putting other people at risk. So what is the best way to access the dark web links? Well, the best way is for you to spend some money and buy a new device that you will use specifically for this purpose.
The device has to be clean and should never be connected to any other network. It should not have any of your files nor should you browse your social media, access your bank account or do anything on that device other than accessing the dark web links. This will make sure that you, your family and your files are protected.
Get a Good VPN but Don’t Enter Your Credit Card Details
Try getting a good VPN to access the dark web sites. It is best to have a VPN software that offers a range of good features in its free version. It is ideal to avoid paying for the VPN as the hackers might get access to your credit card details. The VPN subscription can in certain cases lead back to you which can cause trouble for you. The best thing to do is to use a free VPN. If you want to use a paid version to get stronger protection then follow the following steps.
- Buy the VPN on another device (This shouldn’t be your personal device as well).
- Once you have bought the VPN remove the payment details.
- Copy and Paste the VPN software file from the first device to the device that you will use to access the darknet websites.
- Install the VPN and enjoy the premium services
Protecting your device and yourself should be your utmost priority and you should never compromise on that.
What Are The Things You Can Find on The Dark Web Links In 2024?
If you are not careful dark websites can be very dangerous people. This is why many people who even know about it don’t dare to visit it. This is what leads to speculations. The negative media reports about darknet websites also add to the negative image of the dark web.
People have used the dark web links to do a lot of heinous activities but you would be surprised to know that there have been many people who have done some great things with the help of the dark web. In fact, using dark websites is sort of like a daily task for investigative journalists and law and order agencies. It is part of their work to visit these websites to get information, to catch the bad guys and to even stop terrorist attacks.
So darknet websites have a lot to offer for people who want to use it for good purposes however be careful as once you access the dark web links you are not only going to be putting yourself at risk but the authorities might also start suspecting you for wrongdoing.
Here are some of the things you can find on the dark web links in 2024.
Clones Of ChatGPT: The Rise of The Dark Web AI Robots
Imagine something as powerful as Superman and then imagine that instead of being a superhero he is a supervillain. This is what you should feel about this. ChatGPT has been a great breakthrough in the world of technology. It has transcended the tech industry and has shown that it has applications in almost all aspects of the world. It is a powerful tool but AI can be dangerous if it is used for villainous purposes.
Right after ChatGPT was launched certain AI clones started appearing on the dark web sites. And now in 2024, you will see a number of different well-working and fully functional ChatGPT clones on the dark websites.
The chatGPT clones you find on the dark web links don’t just write briefs from your instructions prompts instead several different types of AI tools can be found on the dark web links. Don’t get me wrong you can still find an AI tool on the dark web that can write for you but it wouldn’t be wrong to say that on the dark web, the AI tools are on steroids.
This is because there are no checks and balances and the AI technology can be used for things that would get instantly banned on the surface web. Experts believe that the introduction of AI technology in the dark web sphere has changed the ecosystem of the dark web.
Why Make it More Dangerous?
Two things make it a very dangerous tool. The first is that it is easy to use for both experienced and beginner users. So even if you don’t have years of hacking experience you can ask FraudGPT to create phishing messages for you and it will do it which can then be used for hacking purposes.
The second reason that FraudGPT is so dangerous is the range of things you can do with it. It can create fake documents, and phishing messages, find vulnerabilities in different websites and security tools, find secure and hidden information, find leaks, and one can also use it to create powerful malware. Even though it is just starting; it is believed that like all technology, FraudGPT will also refine itself over the years and become more powerful.
WormGPT on the other hand is used specifically for phishing attacks. It is an AI tool that is also said to become better and stronger in the coming time. The dark web link users use WormGPT for different types of phishing attacks however its primary use has been seen in BEC attacks which are phishing attacks on business employees.
Hackers Could Attack
What hackers do is that they attack company emails which gives them access to a range of information about the company, personal contact details, emails and other information. They use this information to blackmail employees into sending money to a fake account. From that fake account, the hackers then transfer money to their own account. The entire process from sending the phishing messages to the payment system. Everything is undetectable.
The hackers can also use phishing techniques to send different types of malware to the company computers thus hindering the communication between employees, disrupting the internal system of the company, and keeping the company files hostage among other things.
Fentanyl Market
If you regularly follow the news then you might have heard a few cases of death resulting from fentanyl overdose. For people who don’t know Fentanyl is an opioid that is used in medical procedures. However, over the years, authorities have seen a rise in privately made fentanyl drugs. It is even more powerful than morphine and people use it as a drug. Many times people overdose and die from it because of its powerful nature.
As there has been a rising number of cases of fentanyl deaths, the authorities have been trying their best to make fentanyl less accessible to people. They want to restrict its use to medical procedures alone. However, this hasn’t stopped drug dealers from selling fentanyl on the dark web. As the authorities tighten their grip on the sale and purchase of fentanyl on the surface web and in the physical world, drug dealers have moved to relatively secure dark web sites where the fentanyl market has seen a boom in the last few years.
It is not just about the drug dealers but also the people who use it. When they get addicted to it they don’t mind visiting the dark web sites to get their hands a dose of fentanyl. It can be found in both liquid and powder form on the dark web.
More and More Unskilled Hackers
In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of people who use the dark web. Not only has the dark web become easier to access but AI tools have made it easier for unskilled hackers to carry on with their malicious activities. In fact, research has shown that cyber attacks have increased in the last few years and most of it can be linked to the fact that now there are AI hacking tools available to hackers. So as FraudGPT and WormGPT get more popular, other people will also want to jump on the bandwagon.
Post-COVID-19 Vaccine Market
The COVID-19 Pandemic was something that united the world against a common foe i.e. the Coronavirus. However, even in such times of unity, the human race found a point of polarization. The discussion began when governments of the world made it compulsory to have a coronavirus vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus.
This resulted in the antivaccination activists to start a campaign against the vaccination. There were also people who had genuine concerns with the vaccination as some people claimed that the vaccine was also killing people. All of this resulted in the establishment of a COVID-19 market on the dark web. Darknet websites appeared where people could get fake vaccination certificates without even getting a vaccine. This was a step upwards of making fake passports or fake licenses as the pandemic was claiming thousands of lives daily and not getting the vaccination meant putting yourself and others around you in danger.
During the pandemic, offices, restaurants, management of residential buildings, and even airports made it compulsory for people to get vaccinated. For people who did not believe in getting the vaccination, getting fake vaccination cards and passports through the dark web was a great way to bypass the system. This gave rise to a big market on the dark web. In addition to the vaccination certificates, you could also find the vaccine itself which is most probably stolen from hospitals or warehouses. These vaccine markets are still operational and people can still get certificates and vaccines on the dark web links.
Crime Syndicates on the Dark Web Sites
Hydra was one of the most powerful criminal organizations working on the dark web. It was a Russian criminal syndicate that carried out billions of dollars of transactions on the dark web. However, the organization’s operations were shut down in 2022 and since then other players have been competing to take the top place in the world of dark web links. We might see a proper replacement of Hydra in the year 2024.
Other Dark Web Links You Will Be Able To Find on The Dark Web
The above-mentioned dark websites are some of the relatively newer things that can be found on the dark websites in 2024. In addition to these dark web links, you can also find the malicious activities that have always been present on the dark web. These include pornography, the sale and purchase of stolen goods, credit card information, fake passports and licenses, and illegal services including drug dealing and contracts.
What’s happening on the Good Side?
Things aren’t all gloomy on the dark web in 2024. DarkBERT is a great AI that has been specifically trained on the dark web. You might ask yourself how this is different from FraudGPT or WormGPT, well experts believe that DarkBERT has shown a lot of promise in fighting against the malicious AI tools on the dark web. FraudGPT and WormGPT are developed specially for malicious activities whereas the intention behind DarkBERT is quite positive. So authorities are planning to use it to counter cybersecurity attacks. With so many AI tools being used for bad purposes, DarkBERT was the need of time.
The reason that it has not been released to the general public is that it has been trained on the dark web and some of the answers that it might generate might not be appropriate for everyone to see. So due to the nature of the program, it is not available to the general public however authorities can use it for lawful purposes.
The dark web links have a lot of positive things to offer and that is what the dark websites should be used for. Misusing dark web links can cause a lot of problems for you and the people you love.
How To Find Good Dark Web Links In 2024?
Let’s look at some ways that will help you find good dark web links in 2024:
Search On Surface Web
The surface web does not allow you to access dark web links on a browser, but it is still helpful for finding dark websites. You can read listicle articles by authentic platforms such as ExpressVPN and Avast.
These are some security platforms that help you stay safe when surfing dark web links. This is why you can rely on their recommended dark websites because of thorough research backing the links.
Some surface web sites have Tor versions such as Facebook and CIA. Such platforms have updated their website blogs with dark web links to their official Tor versions.
This is why the surface web is a reliable place to search for dark websites without putting your security at risk. Once you have the authentic link address, you can open your Tor Browser and paste it there.
It will allow you to reach dark websites without worrying about the exact platform you will land on. For enhanced security, you may also check the address using an online website status checker on the dark web.
The checker will tell you whether the dark web link you have pasted is online or not currently. If it isn’t, you can avoid visiting it to save time.
Use The Hidden Wiki
Another way to find dark web links is by going to the Tor network itself and using different directories. A dark web directory hosts a collection of links that are exclusively on this web. From legal news sites to illegal drug markets, you can find dark web links to every service in a directory.
Of course, not all directories are safe to visit on the dark internet because of scammers, hacking, and suspicious admins. The most reliable directory you can explore on the dark web is The Hidden Wiki.
It is one of the longest-running directories on the dark internet. The collection of dark web links on The Hidden Wiki is also unmatched. Recent admins have also made the platform more secure by updating it regularly.
The directory has an open-source web design so people update its links often. This is why you have greater chances of getting to know whether specific links are leading to safe dark web sites.
Using The Hidden Wiki is also one of the best ways to explore dark web sites. The directory may not be completely safe, but it still ranks top when it comes to making dark web navigation easier and relatively secure.
Ask People Around You
Finding dark web sites may not seem easy to you especially if you’re a beginner. You may also be wary of trusting The Hidden Wiki or listicle sites on the surface web. In such cases, it would be easier to trust someone with previous dark internet experience.
This is why you can ask people around you about dark web links. You may ask your friends and family members if they have used Tor. They may be able to tell you the security steps you can take on the internet.
They may also have addresses of specific dark web sites, so you will not have to worry about reaching an unsafe platform. Remember your search should not be limited to people you know very closely.
Many working people also use the dark internet for office tasks and other purposes. So you can also ask colleagues at your workplace especially if they are well-versed in using the latest technology.
Young interns at your office may also be using dark web sites for entertainment purposes. Asking them about dark links can help you find good platforms easily.
Questioning people directly may seem tough work to you, but it will be worth it because you can keep yourself safer.
What Happens To Regular People Who Get Caught Using Dark Web Links?
The dark web itself is not illegal, which is why people believe they will not face legal action when using this internet. However, it is not as easy as it seems.
If you’re a regular person engaging in dark web links, you may suffer from different consequences. This is regardless of whether you’re using the site for censorship bypassing or getting clothing at cheap rates.
Legal Action
Authorities in your region may be monitoring different dark web sites that you are using on Tor. If they discover you are engaging in criminal behavior, you will be at risk.
Things under criminal behavior include:
- Buying drugs
- Purchasing weapons
- Selling medicines without prescription illegally
- Watching questionable content such as child pornography
- Selling stolen goods on the dark market
Law enforcement officials may investigate you to understand your criminal activities better. If they find you guilty of purposely engaging in illegal things, they can apprehend you.
You may also suffer from jail time, depending on the depth of your crimes. Some people only receive financial penalties from the authorities if they end up on a dark web link unaware of its purpose.
As a first-time offender, you may also receive a fine penalty if you purchase a legal item from a dark site at a cheaper price.
Professional Consequences
Your professional life may suffer because of using dark web links. This is especially true if you get caught by the authorities at your workplace. You may be using the dark internet to get information about a project.
However, the reputation damage that you will suffer does not consider that. Seniors at your office may reprimand you for using dark links to support your presentations or ideas.
They may also suspend or fire you, depending on the severity of your actions. Using dark web sites on an office network can also put corporate data at risk.
This is why the company may consider your actions to be negligent and harmful towards its business. The chances of getting fired are significantly high in these cases.
Loss Of Privacy
Once you get on the government’s radar, it is very difficult to get off it. This is because the authorities may still be suspicious of you even after you give them comprehensive explanations.
You may even win a trial in court regarding the usage of dark web sites. Despite that, some law officials may keep monitoring your surface web activity and any other activity on your home network for safety purposes.
So you may suffer from loss of privacy because of one miscalculated action on the dark web. Of course, the monitoring does not last a lifetime. However, it may continue for months after you are caught using dark sites.
Your family relationships may also suffer if you were hiding your dark web activity from your loved ones. Being careful when using the internet is essential to ensure your online activity does not harm your offline life.
Final Words
This is everything you need to know about exploring dark web links in 2024. In addition to finding things like drugs and stolen electronics, you will be able to find a lot of new things on the dark web in the coming years including refined AI bots and new markets. The best way to go on this web is by using the Tor Browser.
You can find dark sites through search indexes on Google or dark web directories on Tor.
Remember to always turn on your VPN and antivirus software. These things will enhance your dark web security by masking your IP location and warning you before entering unsafe sites.