What is the darknet s? This is a question that many people have asked, and it’s not an easy question to answer. It is a part of the internet that is not accessible through normal search engines. In this blog post, we will discuss the good, the bad, and everything in between when it comes to this mysterious side of the World Wide Web!
What Actually Is The Dark Web?
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed through special software like Tor. It’s often used for activities like drug dealing, arms trading, and human trafficking because it offers a high level of anonymity. It is also used by government agencies and terrorists to carry out their missions.
Who Created The Darknet?
The darknet was created by the US Intelligence Agencies in order to allow spies and government employees to communicate anonymously without having to worry about getting hacked by the opposite side. It has since been taken over by criminals and is now used for illicit activities.
What’s The Difference Between The Dark Web And Deep Web?
The deep web refers to all of the content on the internet that is not indexed by search engines. This includes things like pay walled content, academic journals, and government databases. The darknet is a subset of the deep web that is only accessible through special software like Tor and other specialized softwares and configuration. Darknet only forms a small percentage of the deep web.
What’s The Difference Between TOR And VPN?
TOR (The Onion Router) is a software that allows you to access the darknet. It works by encrypting your traffic and routing it through multiple servers before sending it to its destination. This makes it very difficult for anyone to track your activities. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that allows you to connect to the internet through a private network. It encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address, making it impossible for others to track your activities.
What’s The Dark Web Used For?
There are a number of reasons why someone might use the dark web:
-To access content and other things that is not accessible through normal search engines like Google, Bing or Yahoo
-To communicate anonymously without being tracked
-To buy illegal goods or services
-To participate in criminal activities including drug dealing, arms trading, human trafficking , terrorist activity , Illegal pornography and other similar activities.
Is It Safe To Use The Dark Web?
The answer to this question is complicated. While the darknet does offer a high level of anonymity, it is also home to a number of criminals and hackers. It is therefore not always safe to use. However, if you take the necessary precautions, you can minimize your risk.
Can Anyone Access The Dark Web?
The answer to this question is yes and no. The darknet can only be accessed using a special browser called Tor. However, not everyone knows how to use Tor and set the right configurations. In order to access the darknet, you need to know how to use Tor and you need to have the right software configuration installed on your computer. So we said yes, because everyone can have access to it but because you need specific set of skills to make yourself secure while accessing the darknet, a lot of people don’t get to access it. The Biggest Dark Web Market Ever: Silk Road
Is Using Dark Web Legal?
Well the answer might shock you but yes, using the darknet is totally legal. However the extent of the legality is only limited to accessing the darknet. Using the darknet to carry out illegal and unethical activities is not allowed and downright illegal. So be responsible, ethical and use the darknet for good.
Can You Go To Jail For Using The Dark Web?
Well, it depends on your region and your activities on the darknet. Different countries have different rules related to accessing and using the darknet. However some activities on the dark-web may even cause troubles for you at an international level. However, just because you’re on the dark-web doesn’t mean that you’re automatically doing something illegal. It’s not all about buying weapons and other illegal activities. The dark-web is a place where people can find immense information (free of cost) about anything they want without having to worry about being caught.
Are There Any Positives to Using the Dark Web?
Now talking about the positives of the dark-web can be a relative thing as the activities you can do on the Dark-Web are actually beneficial to some people like criminals but they are not exactly positive. So is there a positive side to the dark-web? And can people use it to carry out positive activities. For example if you live in an oppressed region where a dictator has taken over the country with a coup and you are not able to communicate with the outer world without being monitored. So in such cases, using dark web can help you get your message out without being seen by the people in charge. So it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the dark-web can bring about a revolution in country.
One recent example of positive use of the dark-web is the origin of the Coronavirus pandemic. Millions of people have died because of this deadly virus but did you know that if it wasn’t for the dark-web, the world might still be arguing about the origin of the virus. The Chinese government is known to block or monitor a lot of information going in and out of the country and they tried their best to save the news from getting out that the Coronavirus originated in the city of Wuhan form China. It was the Chinese netizens who took to the dark-web to release some of this important information to the world.
What Are The Risks Of Using The Dark Web?
The risks of using the dark-web vary depending on what you’re doing on the dark-web. However, some of the main risks include:
-Getting your computer infected with malware
-Having your personal information stolen
-Being tracked by the government or other law enforcement agencies
-Being scammed by someone on the dark-web
-Getting arrested for doing something illegal on the dark-web.
Your System Can Get Infected
Browsing the dark-web can infect your computer with a lot of different viruses, malware and ransomware. So be very careful when browsing the dark-web and make sure you have a good antivirus software installed on your computer. There are many different types that can attach and infect your computer while you are browsing the dark-web. So always stay safe and protect yourself from these threats. The dark-web is a very weird place so it is possible that your regular anti-virus softwares might not be able to stop the virus infecting your computer. So if you are planning to access the dark-web don’t do it from your personal device that has all your passwords installed and try to access it through a network different than what you use for your personal devices.
Government and Intelligence Agencies Access the Dark Web to See What People Are Talking About Them
It is not a secret that government and intelligence agencies access the dark-web to see what people are talking about them. In fact, they are some of the main users of the dark-web. They use it to track terrorist activities, illegal pornography and other similar activities. So if you are planning to do something illegal on the Dark-Web, be aware that you are not safe from the eyes of the government.
They also use it to track people’s conversations and activities on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. So be very careful about what you say on these platforms, as the government might be tracking your activities.
People Use Decentralized Money like Cryptocurrencies on the Dark Web
It is outright foolish to use your own credit card or any other form of funds that can be traced back to your name. And many people who access the dark-web use cryptocurrencies as a way to pay for the services they receive. Cryptocurrencies are a form of decentralized money that cannot be traced back to the user. So if you are looking for a way to keep your activities on the dark-web hidden from the government, using cryptocurrencies is the best way to do it.
You Can Get Hacked On the Dark Web
The dark web is riddled with hackers who are looking to hack into your computer and steal your data. So if you are planning to access the dark-web, make sure you have a good security software installed on your computer. There are many different types of hackers who can attack you while you browse the dark-web, so be very careful. It is also a good idea to use a different computer for browsing the darknet, as your regular computer might not be safe from the hackers.
How to Access the Dark Web?
The best way to access the darknet is through Tor. You can download Tor for free online. Be sure to read the instructions carefully so that you can use it safely and securely. However downloading Tor does not guarantee that you would enter the darknet right away. You still need to know your way around different configurations and authorizations.
Step By Step Guide To Safely Access the Dark Web
Let’s take a look at how you can access the darknet safely and securely.
Step # 1: Get or Buy a Device That Is Not In Your Personal Use
The best way to access the darknet is by using a device that is not in your personal use. This could be a laptop or a desktop computer that you use only for browsing the darknet. This will help in protecting your personal data and information from the hackers.
Step # 2: Do Not Use Your Home Network
When you are planning to access the darknet don’t connect using your home network as that can get different things around your house hacked especially if you have a smart home with lots of smart technology. If you access the darknet on the same network then there is a high chance that the hackers would get access to the cameras and other smart features of your house.
Step # 3: Download the Tor Browser
The Tor Browser is the best way to access the darknet. You can download it for free from their website. Be sure to read the instructions carefully so that you can use it safely and securely. It is one of the most common ways to access the darknet.
Step # 4: Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Another way to protect your privacy when accessing the darknet is by using a VPN service. This will create an encrypted tunnel between you and the server, so that your activities cannot be tracked or monitored. There are many different VPN services available online, so be sure to choose one that is reputable and trustworthy. VPN programs will give you that added security that is necessary when you are accessing the darknet.
Step # 5: Navigating the Dark Web
The darknet does not use domains like .com .net or .org, instead they use top level domains like .onion. So if you ever see anyone accessing .onion then you can be sure that they are actually using the darknet. The darknet websites aren’t indexed by Google so you wouldn’t find website with .onion domain in Google or any other browser’s search results. Dark web links will always have such unique domains. The dark web sites don’t have a domain address like that of normal website. Most of the dark web links you find are going to have random characters in them. It isn’t until you follow the link that you reach the darknet site. Without following the link, you will not be able to determine what the link is for. This is why many people get scammed and phished when they follow a wrong link to a certain dark web page.
The domain is however indexed by other dark web search engines like Ahmia, NotEvil, Torch, and Candle. Another great place to find dark net websites is Reddit. There are several subreddits that can help you find the dark net website that you are looking for. You can easily and safely access the hidden wikis and dark web sites however if you want to make a purchase on the darknet then you have to take a range of other necessary precautions that will not only save you from getting hacked but it will also protect you from being monitored by people you don’t want.
The Setup to Accessing the Dark Web?
When you are accessing the darknet, you have two different options. Let’s discuss both of these options in detail. Tor over VPN is when you connect to a VPN service and then use Tor to browse the darknet. This provides an extra layer of security, as the traffic is encrypted both when it leaves your device and when it travels through the Tor network. However, some VPN services are not compatible with Tor, so be sure to check before you sign up. VPN over Tor is when you connect to a Tor network and then use a VPN service to browse the internet. You should use a log-less VPN where you don’t need to sign in so that there is complete anonymity. You VPN provider will know that you are using Tor but they will not be able to track your actions on the platform.
Tor over VPN is the preferred choice for majority of the people looking to access the darknet. VPN over Tor is actually advised against by the Official Tor Project because it is considered less safe for the person accessing the darknet. Tor over VPN gives you more privacy and anonymity that is required to access and browse the darknet.
Alternatives to Tor
There are several alternatives to Tor that you can use when browsing the darknet. These include Freenet, and I2P to name a couple. They do not keep any logs of your activities and they have servers in several different countries.
I2P as an alternative to Tor is
Websites with .onion domains cannot be found on I2P as it has its own specialized domains usually called .eepsites. So if you see a dark web link with .eepsites at the end then there shouldn’t be any doubt in your mind that the link is for a dark web site. It isn’t that easy to use and unlike Tor you cannot use it to access normal website. However it is not whiteout its benefits as well. It is relatively faster than Tor and is in some cases technologically more advanced than Tor which can proved you more security when you are accessing the darknet through I2P.
Freenet as an alternative to Tor
Freenet is another self-contained network that can be used to access the darknet. One unique thing about Freenet is that you don’t need a server to host any type of content on the platform. It is a peer to peer distributed database where you cannot access websites from the public web. You can only access files that have been specifically uploaded on the Freenet platform. It allows for highly secure networking and one of the most significant benefits of using Freenet is that it is very easy to configure.
What Is The Silk Road On The Dark Web?
The Silk Road was a dark web marketplace that allowed for the sale of drugs, weapons, and other illegal items. It was shut down by the FBI in 2013, but there are still several similar marketplaces available today. New Silk Road was also started after this and it was considered to be the most popular dark web marketplace. However it was also defunct in 2014. The founder of Silk Road, Ross Ulbricht, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in founding and running the website.
The most popular dark web markets today include AlphaBay, Hansa Market, and Dream Market. These marketplaces allow for the sale of a wide variety of illegal items, and they are all hosted on anonymous servers that cannot be traced back to the individual sellers or buyers.
It is important to note that the darknet is not just used for the sale of illegal items. There are also many legitimate websites that are only accessible through the darknet, including WikiLeaks and The Onion Router Project.
Myths about the Dark Web
There are many myths about the darknet that need to be dispelled. As the idea of dark web is such a mysterious one, there are many myths about it and not all of them are true. So let’s take a look at some of the myths about dark web.
Myth#1: Deep Web and Dark Web Are the Same Thing
This is one of the most common myths about the darknet. Deep web refers to all of the websites that are not indexed by search engines, while dark web refers to a specific subset of these websites that are only accessible through Tor.
Myth #2: The Dark Web Is Used Only for Illegal Activities
While it is true that the darknet is often used for the sale of illegal items, it is not limited to this. There are also many legitimate websites that can only be accessed through the darknet.
Myth #3: You Can’t Get Arrested for Using Tor
This is another common myth about the darknet. While using Tor does provide a high level of anonymity, it is not completely foolproof. There have been cases of individuals being arrested for activities that they carried out on the darknet.
Myth #4: The Dark Web Is Only for Criminals
This is yet another common myth about the darknet. While it is true that the darknet can be used for criminal activities, it is also used for many legitimate purposes. There are many websites that can only be accessed through the darknet, including WikiLeaks and The Onion Router Project.
Myth #5: The Dark Web Is Dangerous
This is another common myth about the darknet. While it is true that there are some dangers associated with using the darknet, these dangers can be avoided by taking the proper precautions.
Myth #6: The Dark Web Is Only for Tech Whizzes
This is another common myth about the darknet. While it is true that the darknet can be difficult to understand for those who are not familiar with it, it is not limited to geeks and tech experts. There are many user-friendly tools available that make it easy to access the darknet.
Myth #7: The dark web makes up 96 percent of the Internet
This is another common myth about the darknet. Many people believe that dark web makes up a large percentage of the internet. That is not true. It only makes for a small portion (even less than 1 percent) of the total internet.
Myth #8: Once You Are On the Dark Web You Get Access to All the Illegal Things
This is another common myth about the darknet. Many people believe that once you are on the darknet, you have access to all sorts of illegal things. This is not true. The darknet is a huge and complex place, and it can be difficult to find the right websites for the specific items that you are looking for.
Best Dark Net Websites
Let’s take a look at some of the best dark net websites that you can visit today.
The Hidden Wiki on Deep Web
This is one of the most popular websites on the darknet due to the range of different services available on the website. It is a wiki that contains information about all of the different websites and services that are available on the dark-web. It is a great resource for those who are new to the dark-web. It is one of the oldest link directories on the dark-web.
While Facebook is not a dark web website, it can be accessed through Tor. This makes it a great option for those who want to stay connected with their friends and family when Facebook is blocked in your country. You will be able to make anonymous accounts on Facebook if you use Facebook through Dark Web. Facebook will not be able to track your IP if you login through Dark Web. Facebook is known for being very careless with its user’s data security. Using Facebook through Dark Web can protect your data from getting exposed to Facebook.
Onion Domain
The Onion Domain is a website that allows users to register onion domains. Onion domains are websites that are only accessible through the dark-web. They are great for those who want to keep their identity and location hidden from the public. The Onion Domain Registry is one of the most popular websites on the dark-web.
SoylentNews
This is a news website that is only available on the dark-web. It provides users with up to date information about the latest goings-on in the world of politics and technology. Users can post news from around the world and discuss them with other users. It is a great option for those who want to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
ProPublica
This is a website that is only available on the dark-web. It provides users with in-depth investigative journalism about different topics such as politics, government, and business. It is a great option for those who want to stay informed about the latest news. It was one of the first news websites to be available on the dark-web.
DuckDuckGo
This is a search engine that is only available on the dark-web. It provides users with an alternative to Google that does not track their data. It is a great option for those who want to keep their data private from the government and corporations. DuckDuckGo is known for being one of the most secure search engines available today. It is a great option for those who want to keep their data secure.
WikiLeaks
This is a website that is only available on both surface web and the darknet. It provides users with confidential information about different topics such as politics, government, and business. WikiLeaks was first of its kind websites to be available on the darknet. WikiLeaks may be considered as the platform that completely revolutionized (Not just journalism but) the entire global political paradigm. So depending on who you ask, WikiLeaks can also be a great benefit of the darknet .
Galaxy3
This is a website that is only available on the dark-web. It provides users with an anonymous social media experience. It is a great option for those who want to stay connected with their friends and family without exposing their identity. Galaxy is known for being one of the most popular social media websites on the dark-web.
Hidden Answers
Hidden Answers is the dark-web version of the popular platform Reddit. It is a website that provides users with an anonymous forum to discuss different topics. It is a great option for those who want answers to their (normal or weird) questions without exposing their identity.
Mail2Tor
Mail2Tor is a website that allows users to send anonymous emails. It is a great option for those who want to communicate with friends and family without exposing their identity. Mail2Tor is known for being one of the most secure email services available today. All emails sent through Mail2Tor are encrypted.
TorLinks
Tor-Links is an alternative to another popular dark net website The Hidden Wiki. Tor-Links like The Hidden Wiki offer links to a lot of other dark web sites. You may find some sites on both of these platforms however most of the dark-web sites mentioned on these platforms are exclusive to them.
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The CIA
You can access CIA’s website on the dark-web. This website was specifically made so that informants in other countries could share classified information with the CIA without putting themselves at risk. The website almost mirrors CIA original website and has the same information and tabs. It is a great option for those who want to learn more about the CIA.
SecureDrop
SecureDrop is a website that was created by the Freedom of the Press Foundation as an anonymous way to submit tips and leaks to journalists. It is a great option for those who want to expose corruption or wrongdoing without exposing their identity. SecureDrop is one of the most popular websites on the darknet for whistleblowers.
The Dark Lair
The Dark Lair is a website that is only available on the darknet . It provides users with an anonymous forum to discuss different topics. It is a great option for those who want to talk about sensitive or taboo topics without exposing their identity. The Dark Lair is known for being one of the most popular forums on the darknet . It started off as an image hosting platform however with time it turned into a dark web social network.
Sci-Hub
Sci-Hub is a website that provides users with access to millions of research papers for free. It is a great option for those who want to do their own research without having to pay for access to academic journals. Sci-Hub is one of the most popular websites on the darknet and has been dubbed “the pirate bay of science”.
Smartmixer.io
Smartmixer.io is a website that allows users to mix their bitcoins with other users’ bitcoins in order to create new bitcoins. It is a great option for those who want to keep their bitcoin transactions anonymous. Smartmixer is one of the most popular websites on the darknet for bitcoin mixing.
Torch Search Engine
Torch is a search engine that was created specifically for the dark-web. It is a great option for those who want to find information on specific websites or topics without exposing their identity. Torch is one of the most popular search engines on the dark-web.
SearX
SearX is a metasearch engine that allows users to search the internet for information on specific websites or topics without exposing their identity. It is a great option for those who want to find information on specific websites or topics without having to use a different search engine for each one. SearX is one of the most popular metasearch engines on the dark-web.
The Normal Web Isn’t That Clean As Well
There is a common belief that the dark-web is a hot place for criminals, terrorists and other bad people. That is true but what most people don’t take into account is that the normal web isn’t that much of a clear place as well. You can find just as much bad stuff on the normal web as you can on the dark-web. The only difference is that the dark-web is hidden from view and the normal web is not.
Dark Web: What Do the Statistics Say?
Let’s take a look at some of the facts and statistics about the dark-web. Some of these facts might shock you.
Russia Has the Most Number of Daily Dark Web Users
Around 10000 Russians access the darknet almost every day. This is more than any other country in the world. The United States of America is on the second position with around 6000 users.
Over 2 Million People (Globally) Access the Dark Web Every Day
This is a pretty large number when you think about it. This means that over the course of a year, over 700 million people will have access to the darkweb.
People Looking For Cybercrime Helpers
About 90 percent of the content posted on the darkweb is about people trying to hire someone for a cybercrime job.
The Dark Web Is Growing At an Exponential Rate
This is probably due to the fact that more and more people are becoming aware of the dark web and its benefits. The dark web grew by 300 percent from 2017 to 2020. This is a trend that is likely to continue in the years to come.
Information about Fortune Company Employees
Over 26 million passwords belonging to employees of Fortune companies are available in the darkweb.
Trend of Using the Dark Web Is North America
The trend of using the darknet is North America. This means that more and more people in North America are using the dark net to do things that they wouldn’t want other people to know about. More than 30 percent of North Americans use the darknet on a regular basis.
What’s The Future Of The Dark Web?
The future of the darknet is uncertain. While it was originally created by the US Intelligence Agencies, it has now been taken over by criminals and is used for illicit activities. There is a growing trend towards using the darknet for legitimate purposes, such as buying and selling goods and services anonymously. However, it is likely that the majority of traffic on the darknet will continue to be related to criminal activities.
The Dark Web Is Here To Stay
The dark web is here to stay. It provides a safe haven for those who want to do their own research without having to pay for access to academic journals. It also allows users to keep their transactions anonymous. The darknet is a great place for those who want to find information on specific websites or topics without exposing their identity. It is a safe and secure place that is here to stay. Even though Governments try their best to mitigate the risks of the darknet, it is just so decentralized that no one can get rid of it as it is a necessary part of the internet.