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Am I on the dark web?
How Do You Know if Your Information Is on the Dark Web? If your data is available on the dark web, one of the easiest ways to find out is to check the “Have I Been Pwned” (HIBP) website. It's a free service, and all you have to do is conduct a search using your email address or phone number.
The deep web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines, making it difficult to access. However, with the right tools and knowledge, you can access this hidden part of the web. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to get in the deep web.
Being hidden doesn’t translate into being completely protected from the possibility of tracking, or, when it comes to illegal activities, of risk. However, it’s up to us to take control of our personal privacy in a world of bulk data collection, surveillance, and personalized ad tracking. There are numerous directories that host .onion links and websites, but you should always exercise caution. VPNs are often recommended as protection in such cases, but Whited disagrees.
What is the Deep Web?
Should You Use A VPN And Tor?
The deep web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. It is estimated that the deep web is 500 times larger than the surface web, which is the part of the internet that is indexed by search engines. The deep web contains a vast amount of information that is not accessible to the general public.
Who uses the deep web?
Approximately 90% of all websites are on the deep web, and many are used by entities such as corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits. What's known as the dark web exists within the deep web; it's an area of the internet that is only accessible by users who have a Tor browser installed.
How to Access the Deep Web
Making sure you’re connected via HTTPS is one solution to this problem, as is using a virtual private network. Crawling is the process by which search engines scour the internet for new content and websites. Aleksander Hougen, the managing editor at Cloudwards, is an expert in cloud storage and related technologies. His expertise extends to cloud backup solutions, secure data storage and the broader spectrum of cloud services. His educational background enables him to demystify technical topics, making them accessible and empowering for technology enthusiasts. We don’t want to leave you with the impression that everything on the dark web is nefarious or illegal.
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To access the deep web, you will need to use a special browser called Tor. Tor is a free and open-source software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing your internet connection through a network of servers, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
Step 1: Download and Install Tor
The first step in accessing the deep web is to download and install Tor. You can download Tor from the official website at https://www.torproject.org/.
While criminal activity (including trade in stolen data and identity theft) may be the first thing people think of when they hear about the dark web, it’s far from the only reason to use it. However, it is generally used for activities that people want to actively keep secret. When I was young, you had to rely on the newspaper, nightly news programs on the TV or radio, or books and magazines. Encyclopedias were the old-school version of the Internet, but you had to know what to look for.
Step 2: Configure Tor
How To Access The Dark Web Safely
Exploring the vast corridors of the internet, especially its more shadowy recesses, demands not just curiosity, but prudence. If you do decide to go it alone, consider the steps below to do this safely. People-search sites can be useful to help you uncover your Deep Web presence, but we recommend that you then remove your information from as many of these sites as possible. Due to the anonymous nature of the Deep Web, there is a possibility of encountering misleading or false information. Cross-reference information with multiple sources to validate each item’s authenticity and reliability.
Once you have installed Tor, you will need to configure it. To do this, open the Tor browser and click on the gear icon in the top right corner. From there, select “Settings” and then “Network.” Make sure that the “SOCKS5” option is selected and that the port number is set to 9150.
Step 3: Connect to the Tor Network
With this setup, your messages are encrypted before they enter the Tor network, and decrypted after they leave the network. Tor protects your privacy by passing your messages through three nodes in the worldwide Tor network. Thanks to the onion routing used in this network, no node can know both the origin and destination of a message. Tor (The Onion Router) is FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) that allows you to send messages over the Tor network of onion routing nodes.
After you have configured Tor, you can connect to the Tor network. To do this, click on the “Connect” button in the Tor browser. It may take a few minutes for Tor to connect to the network.
What if my phone number is on the dark web?
If your phone number is in the wrong hands, your identity and sensitive information could follow. Scammers and hackers could use your number to access your cloud accounts, which might hold private photos and details about you. They could then threaten to reveal your identity or information unless you pay a ransom.
Step 4: Access Deep Web Sites
Once you are connected to the Tor network, you can access deep web sites. Deep web sites typically have a .onion extension and can only be accessed through Tor. Some popular deep web sites include The Hidden Wiki, The Onion Router, and The Pirate Bay.
FAQs
Is it illegal to access the deep web?
No, it is not illegal to access the deep web. However, some activities that take place on the deep web, such as illegal drug sales and child pornography, are illegal.
Can I get in trouble for accessing the deep web?
If you access the deep web for illegal activities, you can get in trouble with the law. However, simply accessing the deep web is not illegal.
What should I do if I find illegal content on the deep web?
- TOR will only become more mainstream as time goes on and there is little to nothing that can be done, as the software to access the deep web is free.
- While many deep web sites are undoubtedly used to facilitate criminal activity and other scams you should avoid, there are also plenty of legitimate dark web sites.
- Suppose you take a proactive approach to security and take every step to protect your data, and you notice some lapses.
- Once done, you must click “Connect” to start accessing sites online.
- TheHiddenWiki is an example of a TOR website directory which you can access through a normal browser as well.
If you find illegal content on the deep web, you should report it to the authorities. You can do this by contacting your local police department or the FBI.
Can I use my regular browser to access the deep web?
No, you cannot use your regular browser to access the deep web. You must use a special browser like Tor to access the deep web.
Is it safe to access the deep web?
Accessing the deep web can be risky, as it is home to a lot of illegal activities. However, if you take the necessary precautions, such as using a VPN and not sharing any personal information, you can minimize the risks.
What’s it like to be on the dark web?
The term dark web refers to encrypted online content that is not indexed by conventional search engines. Accessing the dark web can only be done using specific browsers, such as TOR Browser. There is a great deal of privacy and anonymity that comes with using the dark web compared to traditional websites.
