Summary of How to Access the Deep Web & What You’ll Find There
- Is visiting Tor illegal?
- Is the deep web accessible?
- What Browser is used to access the deep web?
- Where can you see the dark web?
Search Results
AI Overview
AI Overview
“Deep web” content is typically accessed using standard web browsers and involves everyday sites that require a login or other credentials, such as online banking or email
. In contrast, the “dark web,” a small subset of the deep web, requires specific software, like the Tor Browser, to access intentionally hidden content.
Accessing the Deep Web
You likely access the deep web daily without any special software. Content on the deep web is simply not indexed by standard search engines like Google or Bing because it is behind a paywall, requires a login, or is part of a private database or intranet.
Examples of legitimate deep web content include:
Email accounts
Online banking and financial portals
Medical records databases
Academic journals and databases (e.g., JSTOR)
Subscription services (e.g., streaming sites like Netflix)
Private corporate networks/intranets
To access the deep web, you just need the correct URL and the appropriate login credentials.
Accessing the Dark Web
Accessing the dark web is different and requires specific tools and precautions due to its focus on anonymity and the higher prevalence of risky or illegal content. While accessing the dark web is not illegal in most places, engaging in illegal activities while there is.
Here are the general steps to access the dark web safely:
Understand your goal: Go in with a specific, legal purpose to avoid wandering into dangerous or illegal areas.
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): A reputable VPN adds an extra layer of security and anonymity by encrypting your traffic and masking your IP address before you connect to the dark web network.
Download the Tor Browser: The Tor (The Onion Router) browser is specifically designed to access dark web sites, which end in the .onion domain suffix. Tor routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-run servers to anonymize your activity. You can download it from the Tor Project website.
Use a secure search engine/directory: Once in Tor, use a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo (Tor’s default) or a reliable directory like Ahmia.fi to find functional .onion links.
Take extra precautions:
Avoid clicking on unknown or suspicious links.
Do not share personal information.
Disable JavaScript in the Tor settings for added safety.
Be cautious of downloads, as they may contain malware.
How to Access the Dark Web Safely – DOT Security
What Is The Deep Web? The deep web is in between the surface web and the dark web, and it constitutes the large majority of the ac…
DOT Security
Deep Web vs Dark Web: Key Differences – SentinelOne
For example, every academic institution holds valuable resources within its online libraries that are important to its students an…
SentinelOne
Deep Web Meaning & Definition – Brave
What is the Deep Web? The Deep Web is the portion of the Internet not indexed by traditional search engines. It often requires a l…
Brave
Show all
Show more
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan’s Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California.
There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 1,689,954 times.
Curious about what happens on the Deep Web? The Deep Web refers to web data you can’t find using a search engine like Google. Unlike the Dark Web, the hidden corner of the internet often used to conduct illicit or anonymous activity, anyone can get to the Deep Web safely using a regular browser. We’ll show you how to find information on the Deep Web and safely dip your toes into the Dark Web.
Accessing the Deep Web: Quick Info
You can’t use Google to access the Deep Web—you’ll need to go directly to websites and archives to find non-indexed files, or try a Deep Web search engine. Unlike the Dark Web, which requires a special web browser called Tor, you can use any browser to get to the Deep Web.
Steps
Browsing the Dark Web with Tor
- Download and install Tor. Dark Web addresses typically look like long strings of letters and numbers and always end with .onion. Unlike browsing the Deep Web, you’ll need a special web browser to browse the Dark Web because of these strange addresses. You can find Tor, the most popular browser used to access the Dark Web, at https://www.torproject.org/download.
- Tor has some added features for security, including the ability to change your location so that websites think you’re in another region.
- Change your Tor security settings. Once you’ve launched Tor, click the shield icon at the top-right, select Change, and then choose Safest as your security level.[9] This ensures that tracking scripts and other forms of monitoring cannot load on Dark Web sites.
- Browse the Dark Web. Now that you’re on the Dark Web, you can visit websites that end with .onion.
- A mostly safe place to start is The Hidden Wiki, a site that contains a frequently updated set of links to common Dark Web sites including email tools, messaging, website hosting, blogs, and more. Find it at http://kpvz7zqaqdk3eoqqkd32sqkzyyajnegtkwdlfeyp2xgxmbwh5iabtkyd.onion.[10]
- Consider using a VPN. Before downloading Tor, which is the most common Dark Web-accessible web browser, you may want to sign up for and install a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your connection.[13] This is not required, but it does add an extra layer of anonymity to your Dark Web browsing. NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are common choices, but you can choose any VPN that has the following features:
- A kill switch for when your VPN goes down.
- A no-log policy can protect you if the government demands log files from your VPN server.
- Anonymous sign-up.
- Quick load times.
- Protection against IP and DNS leaks.
- The ability to connect via another country’s server.
- Linux is strongly recommended for people who plan on using the Dark Web. Tails is a popular option, as it’s portable and has the Tor network built in. You could also use a virtual machine instead of booting Tails from a USB or optical drive, such as VirtualBox.
- If you’re on a Mac, you should be fine if you use a VPN and Tor. Just make sure you’re protected from viruses and other malware—Malwarebytes is a great option for malware protection.
- Avoid buying anything or sending money on the Dark Web. Much of the Dark Web’s illegal content is based on things like human trafficking, illicit drug and firearm sales, and so on. Nearly anything available for sale on the Dark Web would be illegal in most regions.
- Never download files or accept chat requests while on the Dark Web. Do not search for or click links to pages referring to or participating in illegal topics. Simply viewing certain types of web pages may be illegal in your region, so it’s best not to take any chances.
- QuestionWhat precautions should I take when accessing the deep web?Community AnswerYou should cover your webcam and microphone and avoid entering your email address or passwords while using TOR. Make sure to hide your IP address and be prepared to encounter potentially disturbing content.
- QuestionHow can I protect myself from someone tracking me online?JayRulesWikihowCommunity AnswerAvoid contacting anyone on the deep web to minimize risk. Use a VPN and antivirus software to protect yourself from hacks. If possible, use an old computer running macOS or Linux, as they are less susceptible to viruses, and consider using a virtual machine for added safety.
- QuestionWhat risks do I face when accessing the deep web?Community AnswerYou typically won’t encounter problems for merely accessing the deep web, as long as you steer clear of illegal activities such as buying or selling illicit goods. While the First Amendment offers some protection, it’s crucial to adhere to good operational security (OPSEC) practices.
Tips
- Parts of the Dark Web are used to store raw research data and other tidbits of information that you may find interesting to browse.Thanks
- The internet can be broken up into three main parts: the Surface or Clear web (roughly 4 percent of the Internet), the Deep Web (roughly 90 percent of the Internet), and the Dark Web (around 6 percent of the Internet).Thanks
- Remember that Tor Project & Browser is free, so consider donating to invest in online private surfing.Thanks
- ↑ https://intelx.io/about
- ↑ https://guides.library.harvard.edu/hks/think_tank_search
- ↑ https://www.archives.gov/research/catalog/help/using
- ↑ https://aad.archives.gov/aad/help/getting-started-guide.html#find
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-the-deep-web-and-the-dark-web
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/dark-web
- ↑ https://tb-manual.torproject.org/running-tor-browser/
- ↑ https://support.torproject.org/tbb/maximized-torbrowser-window
- ↑ https://tb-manual.torproject.org/security-settings/
Reader Success Stories
- “This page was exactly what I was looking for, and helped me out no end. I was looking for clear and precise instructions, in a step-by-step format, with helpful warnings about the possible dangers and hazards of installing and accessing the Dark Web, and this page delivered everything I wanted and more. I found it to be extremely helpful, and I’m very happy I found it. “…” more