What is the Dark Web? How to Access and What You Can Find

Diamond Dark Web icon on a computer code background
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Summary: What is the Dark Web?

Think of the internet as a vast ocean. The websites we access on a daily basis (such as Google and Facebook) make up the surface. The dark web, on the other hand, is pretty much at the bottom. This is the “hidden” part of the internet that you can’t access using a regular browser such as Google Chrome.

There’s a myth that all you’ll find on the dark web are illegal markets and shocking graphic content. This is not the case. While those things are on there, the dark web is also a safe haven for journalists, whistleblowers, and people that want to avoid censorship.

If you want to visit the dark web, we recommend taking some safety precautions, namely: installing a VPN and using the Tor browser. For extra privacy and safety, we recommend NordVPN for its strong encryption and no-logging policy.

To learn more about the dark web and what you can find there, keep reading below!

The dark web is a hidden part of the world wide web that can only be accessed using a special browser known as Tor. Dark web pages don’t appear when you look for them in a search engine, so you need to know the exact address of the website you want to visit.

This part of the internet is usually described as “dangerous.” The widely-known stereotype is that the dark web is where all sorts of shady things happen, from dealing illegal drugs to hiring hitmen. While there are definitely dangers lurking in the dark web, it’s also home to more than just illegal marketplaces.

The dark web can be a safe place for journalists and whistleblowers to communicate freely. Citizens from countries with strict internet regulations can also use the dark web to talk openly.

Video Explainer: What is the Dark Web?

Our short animation discusses what exactly is the dark web — and what you can use it for. The article continues below the video.

What is the Dark Web?

To understand what the dark web is, we need to understand its terminology. The internet is often described as consisting of three parts: the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web.

The terms “deep web” and “dark web” get misused regularly, which can cause a lot of confusion. As we talk about the dark web, here are a few points to keep in mind:

  • The internet is a worldwide network.
  • The web is a communication tool that uses the internet network.
  • The web consists of the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web.

Here’s an infographic to differentiate between the terms.

Types of Web Infographic, Iceberg in the sea


The surface web

Fishing boat iconThe surface web — along with the deep web — is the part of the internet most of us use every day. It’s accessible through regular browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. This very article is part of it: you can access it anywhere and at any time, as long as you have an internet connection and a browser.

Other websites, including those of online stores and businesses, are also part of the “regular web.” However, when you open a website as a visitor, you don’t get to see every part of that website. You’ll only see the surface.

When you surf Amazon without logging in, for example, you’ll see their product listings. But you’ll only be able to see the website as a customer, not as a seller or administrator.

To be able to look “behind the scenes,” you’ll need a username and password. Once you have those, you’ll be able to get past the surface and onto the deep web.


The deep web

Fishing hook with worm and fishes in the backThe term “deep web” refers to the part of the internet that’s behind closed doors. Most of the deep web consists of pages and databases that are only meant for a certain group of people within an organization.

Your work database might be on this part of the web. In order to get access, you’ll need to know the exact web address (otherwise known as a URL). In some cases, you’ll need a password, as well.

Most of us won’t have access to this URL and the required login credentials — and this information can’t be found on search engines, either. In other words: a conventional Google search won’t show you deep web content or pages.

The deep web is by far the biggest part of the internet, estimated to make up between 90 and 95% of the complete world wide web. Examples of pages on the deep web are: the private data and pages of companies, universities, libraries, hospitals, governments, international organizations, and so on.


The dark web

Submarine with fishes and bubbles aroundThe dark web is the part of the deep web that’s only accessible through a special browser: the Tor browser.

Also called the “darknet,” this collection of sites refers to the unregulated part of the internet. No organization, business, or government is in charge of the dark web or is able to enforce rules. This is exactly the reason why the dark web is commonly associated with illegal activities.

Some people refer to this part of the internet as the “deep web,” but this isn’t the right term. It’s true that the dark web is part of the deep web, but it’s a different section of the internet altogether.

As mentioned, the deep web is accessible through regular browsers — as long as you have the exact URL. This isn’t the case for the dark web. It’s impossible to reach the dark web through a regular browser such as Google Chrome or Edge.

The dark web functions differently from the regular web. Even when using Tor, dark web websites don’t end in .com or .org. Instead, URLs usually consist of a random mix of letters and numbers. They also end in .onion.

The address of search engine DuckDuckGo, for example, might be something like https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion

Moreover, the URLs of dark web sites change regularly, so they aren’t as easy to find as most platforms on other parts of the internet.


Surface web vs. deep web vs. dark web

To summarize, here are some key differences between the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web:

FeaturesSurface WebDeep WebDark Web
AccessibilityFreely accessibleRequires login credentials and a website’s exact URLRequires a special browser and a website’s exact URL
Browser-FriendlinessCan be visited using any browserCan be visited using any browserCan only be visited using a special browser
Search Engine-FriendlinessCan be found on a search engine (e.g. Google, Yahoo, Bing)Can’t usually be found on search enginesCan’t be found on search engines at all
ExamplesGoogle, Facebook, Amazon, VPNOverviewConfidential databases and employee pages of corporations, universities, and organizationsBlack markets, Tor-exclusive email services

What You Can Find on the Dark Web

The dark web is constantly changing and remains largely hidden. Below, we list down some of the things you may find on the dark web, both helpful and risky.

A word of advice: even the most innocent of tools can be dangerous when placed in the hands of the wrong people. Always be critical of any dark web content, services, software, or information that you come across, especially if they promise you too-good-to-be-true offers like free crypto or cheap Netflix hacked accounts.

The URLs listed below will only open in Tor.


Folder with a link iconAs mentioned, to access a specific dark website, you need to know the exact URL of that page. And it’s not like these URLs are easy to remember either: they’re strings of random numbers, letters, and special characters.

Fortunately, there are dedicated pages that can help you find what you’re looking for. These pages usually even categorize their “onion links,” making it easier for you to browse through their list of links. Here are two of these pages, together with their onion links:

  • The Hidden Wiki: http://zqktlwiuavvvqqt4ybvgvi7tyo4hjl5xgfuvpdf6otjiycgwqbym2qad.onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
  • Daniel: http://danielas3rtn54uwmofdo3x2bsdifr47huasnmbgqzfrec5ubupvtpid.onion/

Black markets

Shopping cart with alert iconBlack markets have flourished since the birth of the internet. The dark web is home to many black marketplaces, where all sorts of goods can be sold and bought, from cheap Netflix accounts to credit card numbers, weapons, and drugs.

Note that the existence of such markets is illegal.

Anonymity is highly valued in these circles, and payment methods are often limited to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Monero as they can help ensure that buyers are never identified.


Laptop with onion iconNews websites like BBC, email services like ProtonMail, and torrent sites like The Pirate Bay all have onion websites. These dark websites are usually for people who can’t access the surface web version of the site, often because of strict internet regulations in their countries.

Here are examples of dark web versions of popular sites:

  • The New York Times: https://ej3kv4ebuugcmuwxctx5ic7zxh73rnxt42soi3tdneu2c2em55thufqd.onion/
  • BBC: http://bbcnewsd73hkzno2ini43t4gblxvycyac5aw4gnv7t2rccijh7745uqd.onion/
  • The CIA: http://ciadotgov4sjwlzihbbgxnqg3xiyrg7so2r2o3lt5wz5ypk4sxyjstad.onion/

Email services

Email services iconEmail services on the dark web almost always require you to use Tor and only allow you to send emails to others who are also using Tor. Some secure email services available on the dark web are:

  • Mail2Tor: http://mail2torjgmxgexntbrmhvgluavhj7ouul5yar6ylbvjkxwqf6ixkwyd.onion/
  • ProtonMail: http://protonmailrmez3lotccipshtkleegetolb73fuirgj7r4o4vfu7ozyd.onion/
  • CTemplar: http://ctemplarpizuduxk3fkwrieizstx33kg5chlvrh37nz73pv5smsvl6ad.onion/

File uploads and transfers

Download icon on a laptopSecure file uploads and transfers are widespread on the dark web, as the onion network provides several layers of encryption on both your files and connection. Similar to whistleblowing websites, file transfer services are used by journalists and informants to share files with sensitive information.

Services under this category include:

  • MEGATor: http://crqkllx7afomrokwx6f2sjcnl2do2i3i77hjjb4eqetlgq3cths3o6ad.onion/
  • SecureDrop: http://sdolvtfhatvsysc6l34d65ymdwxcujausv7k5jk4cy5ttzhjoi6fzvyd.onion/
  • BlackCloud: http://bcloudwenjxgcxjh6uheyt72a5isimzgg4kv5u74jb2s22y3hzpwh6id.onion/

Forums and chat boards

Suspicious man chat iconThere are several message boards and chatrooms on the dark web, often dedicated to topics that aren’t safe to discuss in other parts of the internet. We advise against visiting these websites, as people may be discussing dangerous, illegal, and unethical activities or topics.

On the dark web, you can also find hackers’ forums that trade in stolen data. This usually involves passport data, credit card numbers, and (digital) identities. This personal data is obtained by cybercriminals by hacking into systems through things like phishing or man-in-the-middle attacks. This illegally obtained information is then sold on the dark web.


Whistleblowing websites

Hand holding megaphoneWhistleblowers and journalists use the dark web to leak or find sensitive information. People who want to report a company or their government for illegal acts can use Tor to try and stay anonymous.

Both the WikiLeaks network and whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have used the dark web in the past to spread their message.


How to Access the Dark Web

Accessing the dark web requires two tools: a virtual private network (VPN) and a specialized browser called Tor. If you plan on downloading any files from the dark web, you’ll also want to have an antivirus running at all times.

What is Tor?

The Onion Router (Tor) is a free, open-source web browser that aims to keep its users anonymous. In order to accomplish this, the Tor browser channels your internet activities through several IP addresses or hosts. Here’s how to install the Tor browser.

Your activity travels through a network of nodes. At every node, part of the encryption is peeled off. Eventually, your information ends up at the website of your choice. This process of “onion routing” aims to keep the user anonymous.

Girl retrieving an internet file through Tor Nodes

Although Tor can be used to get access to the dark web, most of its users still remain on the surface web. In other words: Tor is mostly used to anonymize online browsing but is also the main route to the dark web.

Tor can give you access to the whole web, regardless of whether the websites are regulated or not. In short, using Tor is necessary to access the dark web — and also helps to make you more anonymous on the internet.

Note, however, that Tor is not foolproof. This is why it is always recommended to also have a VPN running.

What is a VPN?

Accessing the dark web is easy, but so is getting into deep trouble because of it. Therefore, it’s important to always keep your online safety and privacy in mind.

A virtual private network (VPN) reroutes your internet traffic through a server from a different country. By using a VPN, you are effectively masking your real IP address. The websites you visit see a different IP address instead of your real IP address.

A VPN also makes it harder for hackers and your government or internet service provider (ISP) to figure out what you’ve been doing online. You’ll be protected from censorship, hackers, and prying eyes.

A popular VPN service to use in combination with Tor is NordVPN. This service lets you protect multiple devices at the same time and offers strong encryption, as well as an array of extra safety measures, including “Onion Over VPN” servers. These servers offer extra protection from DDoS attacks.

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All this makes NordVPN a great VPN to use when you venture onto the dark web. To learn more, read our full review of NordVPN.

How to surf the dark web safely (on PC)

Accessing the dark web is easy — but it’s rarely safe. Although the dark web itself is legal, many of the activities on the dark web are illegal. You may accidentally end up on a website that sells illegal drugs or a porn website that displays illegal content.

To access the dark web, you must first download the Tor browser and your VPN software of choice. Here are the steps to follow after this:

  1. Open your VPN software. For browsing on the dark web, we recommend NordVPN.
  2. Connect to a server in a different country. Connecting to a server too far away from you may result in slower loading times, so choose a server from a country that’s close to where you are.
  3. Open the Tor browser.
  4. Click the “Connect” button.
  5. Begin browsing the dark web. You can use a starting point such as the Hidden Wiki.

Once connected, make sure to choose a security level you’re comfortable with. Tor has three security levels you can choose from.Tor Browser Security Level in Security SettingsTo learn more about the Tor browser and how to keep yourself safe, visit our guide here.

How to surf the dark web safely (on mobile)

Tor supports Android, but the operating system is very vulnerable, and it is not recommended for accessing the dark web. Tor does not support iOS at all, but there are Tor-based alternatives for iOS available.

In general, smartphones are not very suitable when it comes to anonymity. Everything you do online can be tracked. With a smartphone, this is even easier because of the GPS tracking that many apps use. Moreover, you run the risk of your phone being hacked and your personal data being stolen.

If you have to surf the dark web, then it’s best to use a computer, a VPN, and antivirus software.

Dangers on the Dark Web

The dark web is home to many dangerous places. Cybercriminals abound in this area of the internet, especially since there is no reg ulation on dark websites. Here are some risks you should look out for when visiting the dark web.

1. Botnets

Infected laptops controlled iconA botnet is a network of infected devices. Often, the devices in the network are infected without their owners being aware of it. The hacker in charge of the botnet can use the devices to spread viruses; phish for private information; or facilitate DDoS attacks.

The botnet is less likely to be discovered, taken down, or taken over if it operates on the dark web. Some hackers sell the botnets they have created on the dark web, as well. In exchange for a lot of money, you can get control over a large network of infected devices.

2. Illegal porn

Illegal porn iconThere are websites on the dark web dedicated to illegal porn, containing content such as bestiality, child pornography, rape, and extreme violence. Accidentally watching or downloading these videos means potentially breaking laws in the country you’re in.

Before clicking on a link that leads to a porn site, check the link directories for a description of the said website, so you can be warned about the content you might encounter. Do not download any videos from porn websites, either, as they might contain malware.

3. Pirated content

Pirated content iconSimilar to the surface web, the dark web has millions of pirated content, like movies, TV shows, books, software, games, and more.

Before opening or downloading any of these pirated content, make sure to check the piracy laws in your country or state. If you accidentally download pirated content, then you may end up unwittingly breaking anti-piracy laws.

To be on the safe side, avoid downloading anything from the dark web at all.

4. Scams

Money being phishedMany websites promise enticing offers like cheap cash and free crypto. Remember that, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Scams are more difficult to detect on the dark web, as you can’t Google if a certain website is known for phishing or other scams.

Additionally, the majority of websites on the dark web have outdated user interfaces, and very few have badges or seals that prove they are legitimate businesses (because most of the markets on the dark web are illegal.) On top of that, you can’t exactly judge from the URL alone if the website is fake.

To keep yourself protected from scams, phishing attacks, and malware, avoid clicking on suspicious links and only visit websites that have been indexed by link directories.

Dark web icon with gavelIn one word: yes. The dark web and the Tor browser are legal in most countries.

Should you, however, choose to act on the dark web in a manner that isn’t in line with the law, that of course would be considered illegal. As such, we emphasize the importance of sticking to the laws of the country you’re in.

Nevertheless, people often forget that the dark web and Tor are merely tools to exert your right to privacy and freedom of speech. The United Nations established privacy as a basic human right. The following articles confirm this:

  • United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948, Article 12
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966, Article 17
  • American Convention on Human Rights, Article 11
  • American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, Article 5
  • European Convention on Human Rights, Article 8

Over 130 countries that are part of the United Nations have laws concerning the protection of their citizens’ privacy. Chances are, this will be the case where you live, as well.

History of the Dark Web: Why and How was the Dark Web Created?

The dark web wasn’t created by cybercriminals. It was actually developed by the United States government. Why was it developed and how did it become the hub for anonymity it is today? Let’s find out.

Spy communication

Encrypted laptop transmitting Wi-Fi signalFor most of history, there was a global network of American spies who collected information and intelligence for the U.S. During the 1990s, information became increasingly digitized, and there was no longer a need for these spies to relay their reports through old-fashioned media like radios or letters. The internet and new cryptographic techniques replaced those old communication media.

As all of this information could suddenly be sent through the internet, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory started a program that would eventually become The Onion Router in 1995. With Tor, the agencies had an encrypted line of communications with their field agents.

Anonymity for all

Anonymous man iconAround 1997, the project was passed on to the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), who in turn gave it over to several civil rights groups (although there are some people who believe that Tor was never really given up by the U.S. government).

Of course, the question is: why would the government hand this network over to civilian advocacy groups?

One of the widely known explanations is that the US government had to open up the anonymous network so that US agents could use it from anywhere in the world at any time. The downside is that made the network vulnerable to infiltration.

Another explanation is that, if U.S. intelligence agents would be using this network exclusively, then obviously, any communication on this network would be directly linked to the U.S. government. Therefore, it was better to open the network up to many other people, so that intelligence communications can be drowned out by the presence of non-government communications.

Why don’t they shut down the dark web?

As the Tor network became available to anyone with an internet connection, more and more servers were being set up across the globe. The network, therefore, became far more decentralized. With each new connection in a different country, U.S. jurisdiction over the internet became smaller.

The power of the Tor network resides in the fact that it cannot be shut down from any one location. Even if you pull the plug on American servers, the rest of the network doesn’t cease to exist.

The U.S. benefits from having this network around — even if it also hosts criminal activity. To this day, it’s still being used as a channel for covert communications by intelligence agencies.

The dark web is also one of the best tools political activists can use to leak information against authoritarian states that the U.S. is very critical of. Of course, this also applies to the U.S., as was made clear by the emergence of WikiLeaks and the whistleblowing activities of Edward Snowden.

A double-edged sword

The Tor network can be both beneficial and dangerous at the same time. Because it is helpful in multiple ways, the U.S. government does not want to shut it down. Even if they did, they would have a hard time trying to shut it down in its entirety and would need the compliance and cooperation of dozens of countries all over the world.

What national authorities do instead is work together to close down specific sites involved in illegal activity. Often, when a dark website does get closed down, multiple agencies have worked together to make that happen.

For example, if the US Department of Justice wants to shut down a Dutch marijuana market, that would require the cooperation of the Dutch police, Europol, and possibly a number of other agencies and authorities.

The following image showcases the number of agencies involved with seizing one such black market.

Dark Market closed down

Taking down this particular website required the cooperation of at least ten different agencies from at least four different countries. The fact that all of these agencies had to cooperate to bring down this site shows how tricky it can be to take down parts of the dark web — let alone the entire dark web.

Exploring the Dark Web

We want to stress that we advise you NOT to use the dark web without first having taken the proper safety measures. In most cases, it’s not worth exposing yourself to the dangers of this unregulated part of the web.

If you do end up visiting the dark web, always take precautions. This step-by-step plan will explain exactly how you could do that. Ultimately, you access the dark web at great risk to yourself. Stay curious, but stay safe, too!

What is the Dark Web?: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a quick answer to your question? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers concerning the dark web.

The “dark web” is a collective term for websites that are only accessible using the Tor browser. These websites are not accessible via Google Chrome, Firefox, or other popular browsers.

In the media, the dark web is often portrayed as a dangerous place, but there are also legitimate websites on the dark web that don’t necessarily pose any danger. Learn more about what you can find on the dark web here.

The surface web comprises all of the websites that can be visited through browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox. The surface web is the internet as most people know it. Facebook, Amazon, Google, Netflix, and this very article are all part of the surface web.

The deep web includes sites that can only be visited by using a password or other means of authentication. Think of your email inbox and Facebook page, but also corporate databases, student portals, and e-commerce seller platforms. In some countries, the term “deep web” is used to refer to the “dark web.”

To access the dark web, you have to use the Tor browser. This is a special browser that allows you to visit .onion addresses. These .onion addresses make up the dark web.

A .onion address is a web address that can only be visited using the Tor browser. They’re a complex string of letters and numbers, unlike your average surface web URLs.

For example, this is the .onion address for DuckDuckGo is: https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion

Tor stands for “The Onion Router” and is a special browser that allows you to visit dark websites. Besides being the gateway to the dark web, Tor also offers enhanced privacy for its users.

On the dark web, you can find many different kinds of websites, from regular websites that have a .onion variant (such as news websites) to drug market sites and pornographic sites.

Most websites on the dark web can be put in one (or multiple) of the following categories:

  • Illegal marketplaces for drugs, weapons, etc.
  • Websites for whistleblowers to disclose their information
  • Pornographic websites
  • News sites
  • Forums and review sites where all kinds of topics are discussed, both legal and illegal

Yes, the dark web is legal in most countries. However, it is possible that some websites or that some content on dark web websites is illegal.

Moreover, repressive governments restrict access to the dark web and to Tor in an attempt to limit free access to information. If you want to find out more, read our articles on censorship and our discussion of the history of the dark web.

The dark web can only be visited with special web browsers such as the Tor browser. Through the Tor browser, you can visit .onion web addresses. You cannot visit these dark web websites with browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.

Author
News & Tech Editor
Nica is a news and tech editor at VPNOverview. She has an educational background in journalism and has worked in content marketing across several industries, including finance and cybersecurity.
Author
Tech writer
Theodor is a content writer passionate about the newest tech developments and content marketing strategies. He likes privacy-friendly software, SEO tools, and when he's not writing, he's trying to convince people they should uninstall TikTok.
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  1. Hey, can I use CyberGhost VPN with Tor?

    • Yes, you can. Simply turn on your VPN before opening your Tor browser (Tor-over-VPN), and you’ll be good to go! Do keep in mind that CyberGhost currently only supports Tor-over-VPN. VPN-over-Tor (meaning you first fire up the Tor network and then activate your VPN) doesn’t work with CyberGhost. Since Tor-over-VPN is safer and easier anyway, we recommend going for that!

  2. Very informative. Thank you. I also found that the wiki link doesn’t work.

    Webpage not available
    The webpage at http:// zqktlwiuavvvqqt4ybvgvi7tyo4hjl5xgfuvpdf6otjiycgwqbym2qad. onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page could not be loaded because:

    net::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED

    • Hi Talon! Thank you for the compliment! Did you try to open the URL in the Tor browser? It won’t work in a regular browser. When we try it, it does appear to work.

  3. Dark web is simply the way the internet was in the 90s and early 20s

  4. How does dns resolution work in the dark web? Does the tor browser use specific dark web dns severs? Is dns for the dark web encrypted?
    Or does the tor browser abandon dns altogether and in place have a different way of being able to resolve the url into routable end point(s)?

  5. Interesting article. As exhaustive as it seemed to be, I was surprised to see no mention of the scourge of child sex trafficking that is said to take place on the dark web. Scary stuff. Sam Harris’ interview with NYT reporter Gabriel Dance was a chilling look at this vile phenomenon. I believe the Dark Web figures prominently.

  6. My neighbor said that he was able to get illegal drugs on the dark web. Is that true or is he full of it?

    • It’s true that there are drug marketplaces on the Dark Web. However, we don’t know whether your neighbor is speaking the truth or not. While there are marketplaces for illegal substances and arms on the Dark Web, it’s not as easy as ordering something off of Amazon for example. It has happened before that well-known marketplaces are infiltrated by law enforcement agencies and that buyers and sellers have faced legal repurcussions.

      Also, we do not condone these kinds of illegal practices and we would advise against the use of the dak web for such purposes.

  7. Can i use my mobile phone to access the dark web? Also can you tell me the antivirus i need to use?

    • We would advise against it. There used to be certain apps for accessing the dark web via mobile phone, but they have been discontinued for the most part. If you want to access the dark web, we would suggest you use a laptop or desktop and look at our other article on how to access the dark web. With regards to antivirus, bitdefender is a pretty good choice.

  8. It is not working

  9. Are Mac products susceptible to virus in the dark web? Can you recommend a good anti virus for us to use? And Assisi can we use ExpressVPN instead of nor?

    • Yes, Mac products can also catch a virus, both on the dark web and on the surface web. We’ll soon have more information on antivirus programs, but for now we would recommend Bitdefender, which does its job really well. I’m not entirely sure what you mean by your final question. If you’re wondering whether you can use ExpressVPN instead of NordVPN, the answer is yes. Both providers have plenty of servers all over the world and work extremely well. You can read more about ExpressVPN and NordVPN in our reviews. If you want to use ExpressVPN instead of Tor, that won’t work as well. Without Tor (or a similar special browser) you won’t be able to visit the dark web. Without a VPN, you’ll be unprotected, so you’ll need both. Let us know if you have any other questions!

  10. What was the publication date of this article (I want to talk about internet awareness and how the dark web affects society, like how kids have access and used the dark web to involve in illegal activity like drug usage) because I need to cite this source, but all I can find is the edited date.

    • This article was first published on March 4, 2019. However, the text is constantly being updated to ensure it covers the correct and most recent information, so the version of the article published back then is very different from our current version. Good luck with your project – it’s definitely an interesting and important topic!

    • I want to know more about dark web. I’m really interested about dark web. If any one can trust me and help me
      I’ll be thankful

      • This article will teach you more about the dark web in general. If you’d like to explore this part of the internet yourself, make sure to have a look at these steps to access the dark web safely first.

  11. I would like to use the dark web plz

    • If you want to visit the dark web, you can find a step-by-step guide on how to do so safely right here in our ‘How to access the dark web safely’ article. However, we do want you to be cautious. The dark web can be an interesting place, but also a dangerous one. Make sure you know what you’re doing and always stick to the law. Good luck!

  12. The link for the hidden wiki is dead 🙁

    • Thank you for taking the time to let us know. The link seems to be working for us just fine. Could you tell me exactly what happens when you try to navigate to this URL? We might be able to help you fix it.

  13. Can we find hacking tools in the dark web?

    • You can find all sorts of content on the dark web. However, while the dark web is very useful and informative, it can also be dangerous. As you look for hacking tools, you might run into all sorts of trouble. Therefore, we’d advise you to be very careful if you do go looking, and always make sure you don’t accidentally become involved in illegal activities.

  14. I would like to know about the dark web

    • Then you’re in the right place! Everything you’d like to know, you can find in the article above. If you have any specific questions that aren’t answered in the text, feel free to ask them here and we’ll try to answer them as well as possible.

      • I’ll be careful while using the dark web.

  15. Can you look at creepy Haunted stuff or get one from the dark web can you see the hackers username or something because i don’t want to get hacked or get my computer in trouble with horrible stuff going on in the dark web can you search up creepypasta?

    • Before you go anywhere on the dark web, it’s important to make sure you and your computer are as safe as possible. Use a good VPN, make sure the settings of your browser are configured correctly, and always be careful what you click on. You should never use any personal information while you are on the dark web, either. Don’t use your name as a username, and preferable only use a completely anonymous and encrypted email, if you need to use one at all. With the right preparations, the chances of a hacker getting into your computer are a lot smaller. As for creepypasta content – you might be better off searching the surface web for that. There’s plenty of content to be found there. I hope this answered your questions!

  16. Can web hackers be found on darkweb?

    • You won’t have to go far into the dark web to find hackers, cybercriminals, viruses and more of the like. However, the dark web entails more than that. It also provides a platform for, for example, people who aren’t able to speak freely in the country they live in. Journalists, too, use the dark web to get in touch with sources sometimes. In other words, yes, you will be able to find a hacker on the dark web. Do always be careful who you contact, though, or you and your laptop could get into serious trouble.

  17. Nice

    • Glad to hear you value our information 😉

      • How do I get started

        • Before going on the dark web, you should make sure you have a good VPN, like CyberGhost, which is mentioned in the article. Then, you’ll have to get yourself a browser that allows you to access the dark web, like the Tor browser. Once you’ve activated your VPN and are using Tor, you can go on the dark web. Even then, you should make sure to always think twice before you click on any link. You never know what kind of trouble you could be getting yourself into.

        • What’s the dark web website so i can visit

          • There is no one dark web website you should visit. The dark web consists of many websites. If you want to know how to visit this part of the internet safely, you can have a look at our guide to access the dark web.

      • Can anyone get me a tool
        For wire transfers

  18. I will like to access the dark web

    • Great! Just make sure you stay safe while browsing this part of the internet. Use a good VPN, and think twice every time you click a link!

  19. what if i get hacked in deep web

    • If you get hacked there’s all sorts of problems that could arise, just like if you get hacked via the regular web. The best thing to do is be cautious, use good antivirus software and use a VPN to keep yourself from harm. If anything does happen, you should look up what the best course of action is in that specific case.

    • Buy a brand new phone, make a fake account, turn that location off then download them to be safe. don’t give out your real name, birthday, credit card. Use fake information for everything.

    • I want to try to get on but I don’t know how

      • If you follow these steps, you should be able to get on the dark web. Another bit of advice: always consider your safety first, and don’t get tied up in anything illegal.

  20. I am never going to be on this ever in my life

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