If you’ve ever heard of the Dark Web and are curious about what it is, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring everything you need to know about the Dark Web: what it is, how to access it, and what you can find there. By the end of this post, you’ll have a firm understanding of the Dark Web and whether or not it’s something that interests you.
What is the Dark Web?
The Dark Web is a collection of websites that can only be accessed using special software, most commonly The Onion Router (TOR). These websites are intentionally hidden from search engines and are usually only accessible via direct links. Because of this, the Dark Web is often associated with illegal or illicit activity.
However, not all activity on the Dark Web is nefarious. The anonymity afforded by the Dark Web also allows for a great deal of freedom of expression; there are many forums and websites dedicated to open discussion on a variety of topics that might be considered taboo or dangerous in more public spaces. For example, there are a number of sites on the Dark Web that allow for whistle-blowers to share information anonymously.
How to Access the Dark Web
In order to access the Dark Web, you must first download TOR. TOR is free software that hides your identity and location by routing your internet traffic through a series of volunteer-run servers around the world. Once you have TOR installed, you can access any website with a “.onion” address.
What You Can Find on the Dark Web
Because of its association with illegal or illicit activity, many people believe that the only thing you can find on the Dark Web is darkness and danger. However, as we’ve mentioned already, there is much more to the Dark web than meets the eye. In addition to open forums and whistle-blower sites, you can also find things like…
* Search engines
* Email services
* Social networking sites
* Online marketplaces
* News outlets
* And much more!
Of course, because of its anonymity, the DarkWeb urls most people visit also provides fertile ground for less savory activities like drug trafficking, weapons dealing, and child pornography. It’s important to remember that even if you can’t be traced back to your computer when accessing these kinds of sites, law enforcement can still trace them back to their server which may lead them back to you eventually.
The bottom line is that the dark web is a tool—learning to access it can be used for good or for ill depending on who’s using it and what they’re using it for. If you’re interested in exploring it further, remember to take precautions to protect your identity and location—after all, anonymity isn’t guaranteed on the dark web . . . just ask anyone who’s been caught red-handed engaging in criminal activity there. Thanks for reading!