Exploring Sites on the Dark Web: What You Need to Know

The dark web has a reputation for being a haven for criminal activity, but there is much more to it than meets the eye. While it’s true that there are sites on the dark web that engage in illegal activities, there are also many legitimate sites that offer valuable resources and information. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the dark web is, how it works, and some of the sites on the dark web that you might find interesting or useful.

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. This means that you can’t access it using a regular web browser like Chrome or Firefox. Instead, you need to use a special browser like Tor, which allows you to access websites that have a .onion domain name.

Data Safety

The dark web was originally created by the US Navy to allow intelligence agents to communicate securely and anonymously. Today, it is used by a wide range of people, including journalists, activists, and whistleblowers, who need to keep their identities hidden. However, it is also used by criminals to engage in illegal activities like drug trafficking, weapons sales, and child pornography.

How Does the Dark Web Work?

The dark web works by using a network of servers that are distributed around the world. When you connect to the dark web using Tor, your internet connection is routed through a series of these servers, which makes it very difficult for anyone to track your online activity. This is why the dark web is often referred to as the “deep web” or the “hidden web.”

One of the key features of the dark web is that it allows users to remain anonymous. When you visit a website on the dark web, your IP address is hidden, which makes it impossible for the website owner to know who you are or where you are located. This is why the dark web is often used for illegal activities, as it provides a high degree of anonymity for users.

As such, most of the attention is placed on online marketplaces for drugs, exchanges for stolen data, and other illegal activities when people think of the dark web. Despite this, there are often very legitimate reasons why people choose to use the dark web, including political dissidents and people who want to keep certain information private. This community-edited wiki contains a bunch of links to a wide variety of services and sources running on the dark web. Many of those links are defunct, and even more of them link to scams or potentially illegal activities.

It’s estimated there are somewhere between 10,000 and 100,000 websites on the dark internet, according to TechRepublic. The Tor browser should be set up with the highest security settings possible to enhance protection and privacy, and must be regularly updated with the latest safety features. For added security, users might consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) along with Tor.

Consider Using A VPN When Visiting The Dark Web

Sites on the Dark Web

There are many different sites on the dark web, ranging from online marketplaces to forums and chat rooms. Here are a few examples of the types of sites you might find on the dark web:

It’s Still Mimicking The Corporate World

Rosalyn Page has been writing about technology long enough to remember when the only thing to worry about was Y2K. Since then, the dot-com boom became the dot-com bubble, technology fundamentally altered our lives, and everything has become about security. Her side gig is an arts and culture blog, ‘Some Notes from a Broad’. And when not wrangling bits and bytes into words, Rosalyn enjoys low-fi hobbies like reading books, walking her Whippet Sketch, and having one too many coffees at her favourite café.

Online Marketplaces

One of the most well-known types of sites on the dark web are online marketplaces, where you can buy and sell all sorts of goods and services. Some of these marketplaces specialize in illegal goods like drugs, weapons, and stolen credit card information. However, there are also many marketplaces that sell legitimate products, such as books, clothing, and electronics.

Forums and Chat Rooms

Another common type of site on the dark web are forums and chat rooms, where users can discuss a wide range of topics. Some of these forums are dedicated to specific subjects, such as hacking, cryptocurrency, or political activism. Others are more general, and cover a broad range of topics.

We need to use dark web search engines to access these extensions. To access the dark web, we run our search engine after installing one of the Tor, etc. search engines. After accessing the links with the .onion extension by searching, try to reach reliable or known sources by paying attention to the security and privacy rules of the pages. Many dark web websites are malware hotspots and without the right protection, you could get infected before you know it. While it’s best to stick to links you know are safe, you should also protect yourself from accidental clicks.

News and Information Sites

There are also many sites on the dark web that provide news and information on a variety of topics. Some of these sites are run by journalists and activists, who use the dark web to publish stories that might be censored or suppressed in their home countries. Others are run by experts in various fields, who share their knowledge and insights with a wider audience.

Anonymity Services

Finally, there are many sites on the dark web that offer anonymity services, such as VPNs, encrypted email, and secure messaging apps. These services are designed to help users protect their privacy and keep their online activity hidden from prying eyes.

In my speed tests, dark web links took 4 seconds to load, HD videos took 5–6 seconds to load, and I noticed minor buffering while skipping through the videos. The Hidden Wiki is the best way to start browsing the dark web because it contains dozens of links to popular .onion sites. The deep web is referred to as anything online that can’t be accessed by using a search engine. This means the mail in your Outlook inbox, direct messages (DMs) on social media, and even your private Facebook photos. Though Facebook knows a lot about you than you can imagine, it isn’t keen on sharing this data with others. The social media giant has also been the target of censorship from repressive governments time and time again.

Conclusion

• To this end, Riseup makes sure no records of communication are kept, and the platform is protected against malicious attacks and government interference.
• The Dark Web may have a sordid reputation, but there’s plenty of legitimate websites out there for people who just want to browse anonymously.
• It consists of websites that aren’t indexable and can’t be readily found online via web search engines.

The dark web is a fascinating and complex part of the internet, with a wide range of sites and resources that are not available anywhere else. While it’s true that there are many illegal and dangerous sites on the dark web, there are also many legitimate sites that offer valuable information and resources. If you’re curious about the dark web, it’s important to approach it with caution and do your research before diving in.