The dark web is a murky part of the internet that isn't accessible via a normal browser — and can be dangerous to visit if you don’t know what you’re doing. We’ll show you how to access and browse dark web sites, and how using a VPN to encrypt your connection can help you visit the dark web more securely.
By using a VPN to connect to Tor — a special browser designed to access the dark web — you can securely access the dark web using a technique known as Tor-over-VPN. Without a VPN, your ISP or network administrator may be able to detect, monitor, or block dark web access; Tor-over-VPN provides an extra layer of privacy.
Among the many benefits of using a VPN vs a proxy or Tor is that it provides full encryption for all the data you send and receive online. So not only is your web activity hidden, but you can mask your IP address by connecting via a wide range of global VPN server locations.
Here’s how to use a VPN to access the dark web via Tor:
Install a safe VPN like AVG Secure VPN.
Turn on your VPN to establish a secure internet connection.
Use the Tor browser to visit the dark web’s “.onion” websites.
You can access the dark web quickly and easily using Tor Browser, which is specifically designed to anonymize web traffic by routing your data through multiple encrypted server “nodes,” which helps provide secure access to the dark web. While it’s generally safe to use, dark web activity can be detected at the entry and exit nodes of the Tor network.
Here’s how to connect to the dark web using Tor on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android:
Download Tor for Windows from its website.
Wait for the file to finish downloading, then click to run it.
Follow the on-screen prompts until the installation is complete.
Turn your VPN on.
Open Tor Browser and click Connect to begin your dark web browsing session.
Download Tor for mac OS from its website.
Wait for the file to finish downloading, then click to run it.
Follow the on-screen prompts until the installation is complete.
Turn your VPN on.
Open Tor Browser and click Connect to begin your dark web browsing session.
Due to compatibility issues and technical restrictions imposed by Apple, Tor browser isn’t available on iPhones that haven’t been jailbroken. Onion Browser is typically the go-to alternative for iOS devices and is powered by Tor.
Here’s how to download Onion Browser on your iPhone:
Find the Onion Browser app in the App Store and tap Get to download it.
Turn your VPN on.
Open Onion Browser and tap Connect to Tor to enable dark web browsing from your iPhone.
Find the Tor Browser app in the Google Play Store and tap Install.
Turn your VPN on.
Open Tor Browser and tap Connect to begin browsing the dark web.
Once you have the Tor or Onion Browser downloaded and are connected to the Tor network, you can browse the dark web by visiting .onion links — dark web sites that are accessible only via the Tor network. To do so, enter a .onion URL and you’ll be taken to the dark web page being served at that address.
Because dark web pages generally aren’t indexed, you can’t find them using traditional search engines, but some search engines like DuckDuckGo may help you navigate the dark web more easily. Or, you can use directories to get lists of .onion links. The Hidden Wiki is a directory hosted on the clear net (also called the “surface web”) that contains a list of .onion links for many of the best dark web websites.
Some popular sites on the surface web also host versions of their sites on the dark web, including:
.onion links use either the HTTP or HTTPS protocol, followed by a seemingly random string of characters ending with .onion, as shown in this example:
However, the characters aren’t random. All v3 .onion addresses (the current standard) are 56 characters long and end with “d” to denote the URL version in use. Each address also contains cryptographic information that enables a dark web browser to connect to the site. That allows .onion sites to be accessible anonymously without services like DNS.
Staying safe on the unregulated dark web requires vigilance, and its seedy reputation, fostered by controversy like that surrounding Silk Road, is well-earned. As well as attracting cybercriminals who use the anonymity it provides to offer hacking and phishing services, the dark web is awash with illicit forums, malware, and other potentially dangerous content.
That’s why you should always take robust precautions to help stay safe on the dark web. Here are our top tips for safer dark web browsing:
Use Tor-over-VPN. Pairing Tor with a VPN keeps your ISP from easily finding out you are accessing the dark web, and it makes it harder for anyone to tie Tor usage to you.
Ensure Tor is up to date. Regularly update your Tor Browser to benefit from security patches and enhancements. Using updated software helps mitigate risks and can make you less vulnerable to cybercriminals exploiting security vulnerabilities.
Disable Javascript. Javascript can allow you to be tracked easily and can also open up other attack vulnerabilities. A lot of dark web sites look very outdated and basic because they expect their users to have javascript disabled.
Don't share personal information. One of the big reasons the Tor network exists is for individuals to remain anonymous while browsing. Don't provide any personal information that could be used to expose your identity.
Stay away from anything that looks illegal. It’s easier to stumble across illegal content on the dark web than on the surface web, even if this isn’t your intention. If you’re ever unsure, avoid visiting a site or clicking a link.
Use anti-malware tools. Use a strong antivirus like AVG AntiVirus Free to run regular malware scans to help keep your system healthy and combat other online threats.
Avoid downloading files. Malware can easily be hidden in innocent-looking files, and if it gets downloaded and executed you could find yourself with ransomware or a keylogger infecting your system.
Make purchases with cryptocurrency. If you decide to take the risk of purchasing anything, use Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency — never enter your credit card or banking details. Most websites won't even have the option to pay via credit card and if they do they’re likely a scam.
Cover your webcam. Keep your webcam covered and back this up by using cybersecurity software to help stop untrusted apps from using your webcam to spy on you or carry out other scams.
If you want to access the dark web, your first step toward a more private experience should be to secure your internet connection and data with a reliable VPN.
AVG Secure VPN re-routes all your internet traffic through secure servers to help keep your location and identity hidden, and it uses bank-grade data encryption to mask your online activity and keep the data you send and receive private. Start your free trial now and get true browsing privacy today.
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