Through some online drug marketplace called the Silk Road, you may have learned that there is another version of the Internet. One that is not available in any regular browser and is not indexed by any conventional search engine.
This is called the Dark Web, not to be confused with the Deep Web , that is, websites that usually cannot be accessed due to paid access or password-protected login pages (such as online banking).
The Dark Web has several legitimate legitimate goals, such as protecting the freedom of speech of dissidents and activists in countries ruled by oppressive regimes (such as China). But in most cases, the Dark Web is referred to as the “dark side of the web.” A lot of this includes drugs, pornography, gambling, hitmen, and various other criminal enterprises.
If so, you might ask why it is even worth looking at if you are not inclined to it. I’d say it’s worth taking a look at, even if it’s just out of curiosity. This is an exciting look at another world.
Onion Browser (Tor)
To access the Dark Web, you need a specialized browser. Using Firefox, Chrome or Safari doesn’t work. To access the Dark Web, you need an Onion browser (also known as Tor). You can download and install the Tor browser by going to the Tor website
As a modified Firefox browser, the Tor browser can also access regular internet sites, but one of its main purposes is to access the dark web. Tor protects your location by letting your internet traffic pass through several “Tor Relays” (virtual private networks), so Tor is much slower than a regular browser. This is the price for your privacy.
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Dark Web URLs
The Dark Web operates in its own URL format, namely the .onion format. So while a normal link might be http://www.website.com, a link on the dark web would be http://thg67klkk4ksl9s.onion
As you can see, the Dark Web link does not use .com, .net, .org, or any of the other common website domain endings. And the Dark Web link also doesn’t have a name of its own like “Google”, “Yahoo” or “eBay”.
Instead, it’s a random selection of characters, which makes Dark Web sites difficult to find and guess. This is part of what makes the Dark Web attractive to criminals and others who want to go unnoticed.
Since Dark Web sites are constantly changing and it’s nearly impossible to figure out the URL, even the search engines on the Dark Web are notoriously unreliable! But if you’re a blogger in, say, Beijing, you don’t want your Dark Web to be indexed by a search engine for the government to track you. Instead, you must rely on word of mouth from trusted supporters to find you.
Dive into the Dark Web
Once you’ve installed and opened the Tor browser (which is very simple and doesn’t require any special configuration), it’s time to browse some sites.
Before continuing, I must say that while Tor is a modified Firefox browser, you should NOT install any Firefox extensions. Two extensions are already preinstalled – NoScript and HTTPS Everywhere. They are for your safety – don’t install any others.
With this in mind, also remember that the Dark Web is the Wild West of the Internet. There are no rules here and you will run into some very creepy and dangerous people if you venture into the forums and chat rooms.
Therefore, do not disclose personal information about yourself and be extremely careful when choosing the links to which you go. Clicking on child pornography, for example, would put yourself in serious legal danger if the police monitor the site. Ignorance is not protection.
Search Engines and Directories
Search Engines and Directories
Almost everyone agrees that the best place to start with the Dark Web is Ahmia.fi It is a Dark Web search engine that can also be accessed on the regular Internet.
When making your way through the Dark Web, you just need to look at the search engines and directories and basically browse until you find what you want. Each of you will have different interests, so it would be pointless to direct you in one direction.
So, here is a list of some of the search directories and pages that will send you on a run down the Dark Web rabbit hole. Let us know in the comments what you found. Some of these links may not be available when trying to visit the site, but they will come back later.
If the site is down all the time, use Ahmia to find a new site location.
There are SO MANY pages on the Dark Web, but we’re clearly not going to show you where to buy a gun or a fake passport. As such, the links above are a good starting point, and from there, you’ll immediately head to a dozen different destinations at once.
Have fun and be safe.
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