The so-called surface web is readily accessible to all of us and thereby, less interesting. No wonder you came here asking how to get on the dark web. Yeah, we know what you’re thinking – or some of you. Use Tor to visit Onion sites and you’re all set. Well, relying on Tor to keep you anonymous online is a good recipe for disaster – we’ll see why soon.
Think of the dark web as a jungle you’ve never been to. It looks interesting at first but venturing further reveals glimpses of savagery and brutal nature. This part of the internet is far different from the surface web and is frequently associated with hackers, hitmen, drug selling, and other illicit activities. It doesn’t have to be like that, though.
You can go on the dark web safely, use legal sites, and enjoy the experience without worries. In this tutorial, we’ll explain how to access the dark web in complete privacy and cover a few more important factors to consider before starting.
What Is the Dark Web and How Does It Work?
Before we explain how to venture into this part of the internet, we need to see what you’re setting yourself up for. Unlike the surface web, the dark web is a part of the internet not indexed by conventional search engines. Therefore, it’s inaccessible through conventional browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, and others.
You might’ve heard of the domain extension called “.onion“, which sits at the end of each dark web website. Indeed, these websites use “atypical” names and domains to present themselves. So, instead of “facebook.com”, the URL can look like “12ls834mfdg8.onion”.
This is usually done to prevent tracking and website shutdowns typical for this part of the internet. The trick with these onion websites is their accessibility, which is made possible only with Tor. Tor is an abbreviation for The Onion Router and now, we can see why.
Tor is a Firefox-based browser made specifically to enable access to onion sites, hence the name The Onion Router. This browser, on paper, ensures anonymity by routing your traffic through different “secure” nodes, preventing tracking and surveillance. Later in our guide, we’ll see why this isn’t ideal for browsing the dark web safely. For now, it’s vital to get the principle right.
One more thing before we move on – accessing the dark web is LEGAL. It’s what you do on it that matters. Selling drugs or hiring a hitman to kill your ex will get you into trouble. Don’t do anything stupid. However, you can browse forums, watch videos, and chat with other people just fine.
Are the Deep Web and Dark Web the Same?
People often confuse the deep and dark web. They sound scary. One is deep, the other is dark – don’t mess with them!
Well, we’ll tell you that the deep web IS accessible through conventional browsers. However, this part is unindexed by search engines.
Funnily enough, the deep web is the largest part of the internet! Think about your Gmail inbox. It’s online and you can access it but your friend or family can’t. They have their Gmail inboxes accessible only to them. You can’t type in “Sally’s Gmail Inbox” and go there. Nope. That part is unindexed and is a part of the deep web.
We can say the same about private networks belonging to companies and other entities. Some hospitals even have classified medical records you can’t access just like that.
Now, compare this to getting on the dark web and the way that part of the internet works.
You need a special browser (Tor) and all of these websites are intentionally obscured. So, to clarify again, this tutorial will cover how to access the dark web privately and safely – not the deep web.
How to Get on the Dark Web Safely & Anonymously in 2024?
We already know of one necessary component needed for this – Tor. However, while Tor is great, safe, and whatever you think, it’s not as great as another component – a VPN. We must explain that Tor is safe on paper but practice has shown that this browser can fail you.
It works by routing your traffic through multiple nodes. The entry node encrypts your traffic and it bounces across several nodes in the Tor networks until it reaches the exit node. This node decrypts your traffic and it reaches the destination i.e. the website you want to visit.
What’s the catch? The entry node. Your ISP can see that you’re connected to Tor, as the encryption takes place AFTER you connect to the browser. With this information, the ISP will likely know you’re on the dark web because Tor is mainly used for this purpose. You don’t want this suspicion because of the darknet’s reputation and notoriety.
On top of that, Tor’s nodes can also malfunction because they’re owned by volunteers, which will expose your traffic and sensitive information. This is where a VPN comes in, and a reliable VPN like NordVPN (read our NordVPN review here) can do wonders for you.
Setting Up a VPN Service
A VPN encrypts your traffic as soon as you connect to it. This allows you to go online anonymously and without ISP monitoring. The key is to encrypt your traffic BEFORE you use Tor so that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) doesn’t see you’re in the Tor network. This won’t raise any suspicion.
In addition, even if the Tor node fails, your data won’t be exposed because the VPN’s encryption still holds up. As mentioned, we recommend using a safe provider like NordVPN, which also offers Onion Over VPN servers perfect for accessing the dark web safely.
The button above leads you to its website where you can claim an exclusive 70% discount for the 2-year plan. Click the button, get the provider for around $3.5/mo, and install it on your device. NordVPN works on every Tor-friendly system – Windows, Android, Linux, and macOS.
Once the app is installed, simply open it up and sign in with the credentials you provided during registration. The dashboard should open properly, indicating you’re ready to connect to any VPN server. This is just the first but also very important step to go to the dark web anonymously.
Connecting to a VPN Server
The second, and even more important step is to connect to a VPN server. Now, NordVPN has 6,400+ of them in 111 countries, so you can pick any. To ensure the most optimized experience, we recommend its Onion Over VPN servers instead. Here’s how to locate them:
- Click on “More Connection Options.“
- Select “Onion Over VPN.“
- Wait for a few seconds and the connection will be in place. The Onion icon will appear next to the server location (refer to the screenshot below).
Now that your connection is active, it’s encrypted and untraceable by your internet provider. Everything you do is protected by NordVPN, which is key to accessing the dark web and enjoying it privately. However, we have one step remaining.
Using Tor Browser: The Final Step to Get on the Dark Web
Have you downloaded Tor yet? If not, you can do that on its official site – here. Select your platform, click on it, and Tor will download in seconds. Once installed, you can run it. This time, you should do it, as you’re already hidden by NordVPN’s encryption.
If you’re prompted to connect, click the purple “Connect” button and wait for a few seconds.
This is how it should look like. From here, you can visit any Onion website and enjoy the dark web safely and without worries of ISP tracking and surveillance.
If you don’t know where to start, you can use The Hidden Wiki to find a few dark web domains. Simply copy the URL of the site you want to visit, press Enter, and you’re all set.
Just for laughs and giggles, we visited this random pug’s ultimate guide to the dark web. However, you can pick any other site and start your adventure. You’ll notice that some websites’ loading times are longer when using Tor. That happens quite often.
It might be because of the poorly maintained site or Tor’s slow speed because of the way it works. Either way, some sites take up to a minute or more to load, so don’t fret. Everything should work fine.
Get on the Dark Web Safely with a VPN
Tor Over VPN or VPN Over Tor? Dark Web Access Explained
We’ve clarified how to go on the dark web anonymously with the help of a VPN. A VPN is a confusing factor for many because there are two ways to use it with Tor. You can go for the Tor Over VPN or VPN Over Tor methods.
Which one works better?
Here are our two cents.
Tor Over VPN (Recommended)
NordVPN and many other providers offer Tor Over VPN or Onion Over VPN – whatever you want to call it. Regardless of its nomenclature, this is by far the safest option you can go for. It works by first using a VPN and connecting to Tor afterward, hence its name.
We explained how a VPN functions. It encrypts your traffic right away, which is beneficial if you don’t want your ISP to see you’re using Tor. Some countries frown upon dark web usage, so it’s good to have your back covered by a reputable VPN service.
Okay, so you get one encryption layer from a VPN and when you’re in Tor, you get another layer for the best possible security. When you go on the dark web and visit the site, your traffic is decrypted and everything functions the same. But what are the concrete benefits?
For one, the VPN can’t see your online activities because of VPN encryption. It doesn’t allow the entry node to see your original IP. Plus, the ISP won’t see that you’re using Tor, which is excellent. We also prefer this method because of VPN’s all-encompassing security.
Outside or inside Tor, your traffic is secured 100% of the time. This means you can go on the darknet privately while downloading torrents on the side. We need to mention a slight downside. Some websites block Tor connections by detecting its exit node.
The exit node can also be compromised but our experience has shown this happens extremely rarely. Besides, if the exit node malfunctions, you still have your trustworthy VPN so no one can track your footsteps.
VPN Over Tor (Not the Best Option)
This method is far more complex but we’ll still explain it for those too curious. As opposed to the previous situation, here, you’re first connecting to Tor and then the VPN. Not many providers support this, so a manual and sometimes tedious configuration is needed.
Because of this, not many people are willing to give it a shot except if they have a very good reason. If you’re one of them, good luck finding a provider that supports it. Once you do, that provider will need to configure the entire thing on a specific server first. This server will route your Tor traffic and perform what you want.
During this process, your ISP can still see that you’re using Tor because the entry node is now fully visible. Not to mention the entry node will see your IP address, so if it’s compromised, a hacker would be able to get a hold of it. More importantly, even the VPN service will now see what you’re doing inside Tor.
The only benefit here is that the ISP won’t know you’re using a VPN.
That’s it.
For us, this is pointless because VPN services are legal in 99% of the countries. You’ll raise more suspicion by being detected using Tor than a VPN. What about websites that restrict Tor connections?
Well, you’re smart enough to find that advantage. These websites will now work without issues, as the VPN hides the exit node and makes your traffic look inconspicuous. In practice, we found very little use of VPN Over Tor and saw no significant advantages.
Best VPNs to Use for Accessing the Dark Web Safely in 2024
While you can visit the obscure part of the internet without a VPN, it’s better to go with one. Here are our favorite choices that work well and support Tor Over VPN perfectly.
6300 servers
111 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.1 /10
27000 servers
91 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
9 /10
1. NordVPN
This provider excels in speed, performance, and security, making it the best VPN for the dark web.
We love it because of its simplicity, which, as you saw, lets you visit the dark web in seconds. NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol is more than secure, with a certified no-logging policy that guarantees no logging and storing of your sensitive data.
You’ll appreciate its added features, such as Threat Protection, which shields you from malware and trackers. NordVPN also includes Double VPN servers to double your encryption and make you untraceable. One of its key benefits is unlimited bandwidth, which sounds awesome and allows for unlimited dark web browsing.
NordVPN’s other benefits are numerous. In short, it’s ideal for torrenting, streaming, and gaming. It also has 10 simultaneous connections, support for all devices, and server obfuscation that works in China.
With its affordable prices and unrelenting performance, we don’t see a better pick that would make your experience superior.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is often our go-to option – not as often as NordVPN. This provider’s performance is top-tier, with full Tor Over VPN support to make things simpler. Connect to ANY of its 3,000+ servers, open Tor, and do your magic! ExpressVPN’s intuitive apps work on up to 8 devices at a time, ensuring protection for the entire family.
Like NordVPN, this provider doesn’t store logs and has around 20 third-party audits to prove it. Its RAM servers and Private DNS go a step further to protect your identity online. Not to mention its Advanced Protection that blocks malicious sites, trackers, and ads. This is accompanied by the Network Lock kill switch that also prevents IP leaks.
ExpressVPN is slightly expensive but a trustworthy provider for risk-free dark web browsing. You’ll also enjoy its Smart DNS support, 24/7 live chat service, the Keys password manager, and a lot more. Feel free to grab its 49% discount thanks to 3 free months for the annual plan.
3. Private Internet Access
PIA is popular in the USA because it offers servers in all 51 states. People in the United States and abroad can use it to venture into the dark web in privacy. With RAM-based servers in 90+ countries and features like WireGuard, IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, worries are over.
Private Internet Access even offers the Shadowsocks proxy for added security. There’s also MultiHop that boosts your encryption, along with MACE which blocks tracking. PIA doesn’t pull punches, so it strikes back against its competition with a proven-in-court no-logs policy, split tunneling, and even port forwarding to diversify its apps.
Best of all – it protects unlimited devices at a time! This, joined by incredible value and the price of around $2/mo, makes PIA very attractive. Unfortunately, it’s slower than NordVPN and ExpressVPN but overall, its performance is admirable in practice.
Can I Go on the Dark Web on My iPhone?
Tor supports a few systems only – Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. iOS is the only exception, leaving iPhone and iPad users without the option to go to this part of the internet. We know that many third-party browsers akin to Tor will work.
Tor’s official site recommends some apps to browse the dark web on an iOS device:
- Onion Browser
- Orbot
The company says that these browsers are “developed by someone who works closely with the Tor Project.” They also signify the importance of Webkit, which iOS requires, and which subsequently prevents Onion Browser from using privacy-protection measures as Tor.
So, can you use Onion Browser and Orbot and call it a day? You can, technically, but Tor warns about the lack of top-level security that this browser has.
The silver lining is that VPNs work on iPhones so you can mitigate the risk by connecting to one beforehand.
Is the Dark Web Truly Safe?
This question is asked by many but answered by a few. We understand that because of the reputation looming over the dark web as being so dangerous, mysterious, and whatnot. Generally speaking, it’s safe but it’s also not. Some sites are safe to use, especially those where you don’t need to provide sensitive information to use.
However, if you’re looking to trade or buy something, the risk of scams increases exponentially. People often make the grave mistake of divulging their private information to the seller or anyone else who can take advantage of it and harm the user in many ways.
According to LMG Security, over 2.7M people have visited the dark web in 2023. What’s more alarming is the estimation that the HALF of those visitors were connected to illicit activities. We can conclude that this portion of the internet can be dangerous but again, you’re in control and decide which websites you want to visit.
No one can force you to visit a drug-selling site, give out your info, and buy cocaine or something else. As long as you pick your sites carefully and use a safe and secure VPN, you’ll remain untouched and be able to browse this internet space indefinitely.
Final Words
Let’s summarize the most important points from this guide on how to access the dark web.
This internet space can be dangerous but you can safely get on it by using a VPN and then connecting to Tor. Our experience has shown that this is the #1 way of doing things without risking your privacy.
Using NordVPN or even ExpressVPN or PIA seems to be beneficial for many users. Such providers offer strong encryption and don’t store logs, ensuring all online footsteps are completely masked. Above all, it’s vital to go on the dark web carefully and sensically.
Stick to tried-and-tested sites and do your best to avoid scams. If you manage to not expose your private information and avoid illicit activities, you can be sure everything will be okay.