We’ve found that Tor is an excellent way to keep your internet browser-based online activities undercover, although we’ve also seen how using the Tor Browser can bring unwanted attention. The dark web (often referred to as the “darknet,” “black web” or “black net”) is a small section of the deep web that is hidden and kept inaccessible to regular internet users on purpose. Go to the directory where you downloaded the Tor Browser installation file. Right-click on the downloaded file and select “Extract Here.” Once the Tor Browser setup files have been extracted, double-click on “Tor Browser Setup” to install the browser.
Your ISP still knows you’re using Tor, and entry nodes can see your real IP address. A VPN adds protection before Tor, closing these gaps without breaking access to .onion sites. Tor routes your traffic through a chain of relays to obscure your IP address. This makes it harder for websites, ISPs, or surveillance tools to see who you are or what you’re doing. Many sites on the dark web are scams, and some host illegal content. While VPN over Tor is a bit more complicated to set up, it protects you against malicious exit nodes.
Step 3: Install Tails On The USB Drive
Dark web marketplaces are websites where you can exchange illicit goods and services like stolen credit cards, account login credentials, counterfeit items, drugs, and other items. Usually dark web transactions are made with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. All websites that are only accessible through Tor use the .onion top level domain, and all websites that are only accessible through I2P have the .i2p top level domain. It is also a good idea to use full-disk encryption utilities like VeraCrypt which can protect your data even if your device is hacked or stolen.
Start Your Protection,
However, there are plenty of legal and legitimate online activities that require privacy and anonymity. The dark web is used by journalists, whistleblowers, and political activists who need the protections that it offers. Anything you need to do that has to be off the books to some extent, for noble or ignoble reasons, can be done on the dark web. You won’t be able to search the dark web with a regular browser (such as Chrome or Firefox).
One way to stay safe is to use a VPN while accessing the dark web, so be sure to check out my article on the best VPNs for the dark web. Arguably, the best-known tool used to access the dark web is the Tor Browser. In an onion network, messages are encased in layers of encryption, much like the layers of an onion. The encrypted data is sent through a series of network-based nodes called onion routers. The Tor Browser is a popular online anonymity tool among political activists and journalists who fear totalitarian governments monitoring or arresting them.
How Much Does It Cost To Use Tor Browser?
Just keep in mind it might take a bit longer to connect to a site due to Tor’s slow speeds. Start by downloading the Tor browser from Tor’s official site. I strongly recommend avoiding unofficial sources, as you risk downloading malicious software.
Download Tor Browser
JavaScript is a programming language used by websites to add interactive features, such as videos, forms, and dynamic content. However, on the dark web, JavaScript can also be exploited by hackers to track your activity or deliver malware to your device. To reduce the risk of these threats, it’s highly recommended to disable JavaScript when browsing dark web sites. Hyphanet (formerly Freenet) is another anonymous network that allows you to share and retrieve information without censorship. It’s designed for secure, decentralized storage and is often used for file sharing and accessing information anonymously.
Can Tor Browser Be Used For Regular Internet Browsing?
While there are numerous VPN services that work well with Tor, I’ve found that NordVPN offers the best protection and compatibility, and keeps your personal information safe. While the Tor Browser hides your online browsing, it only hides your online activity through the Tor Browser. All of your other online activities remain open to observation. Another reason you don’t want to use the Tor Browser for your daily web browsing is that it draws attention to you.
Install A Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Considering the internet is literary made and used by humans, these things don’t come as a surprise. Install AVG Secure VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy wherever you go on the web. Download AVG Secure VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy wherever you go on the web. In contrast, VPN over Tor setups won’t protect your real IP address if Tor leaks, require more technical setup, and aren’t supported by many VPN providers. A good antivirus software can detect, quarantine, and remove threats before they can damage your device or acquire any sensitive information. My favorite antivirus in 2025 is Norton, which scored a 100% protection rating during my tests (handily beating the built-in protections on my devices).
You can use Bitcoin mixers to make your tokens anonymous, but doing so is quite costly and requires trusting third-party actors who cannot be traced. Navigating the Dark Web can be a complex endeavor, but you don’t have to do it alone. Reputable organizations, security researchers, and privacy advocates provide a wealth of insights, tutorials, and software to help you explore safely and responsibly. Below are some trustworthy starting points and authoritative references. As digital landscapes evolve, so do the methods of accessing hidden content and maintaining anonymity. While the Dark Web remains a core venue for privacy-seeking users and covert activities, a range of emerging platforms and shifting trends shape the broader ecosystem of underground communication.
And while both Tor and VPNs provide security and privacy, I think VPNs are better because Tor has some security issues. However, the first Tor server you connect to can see your real IP address — if a malicious actor operates it, they could collect it and use it to track your location or online behavior. That said, using the Tor browser is not 100% safe, as the Tor network has a few security issues. That’s why I strongly recommend using a VPN together with Tor to protect your privacy. Routing your VPN traffic through a Tor connection is referred to as VPN over Tor. Essentially, you initiate a connection with the Tor network via the Tor browser first, followed by a connection to a VPN server.
- Merely downloading, installing and using the Tor Browser is not illegal.
- VPN over Tor requires you to place trust in your ISP but not your VPN and is best if you want to avoid bad Tor exit nodes.
- These sites are different than regular websites, because not only is your ip address hidden from them, but their ip address is also hidden from you.
- The browser is free to download and works on multiple operating systems.
- However, its network is still small, and there aren’t many hidden services available yet.
- This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.
By using Tor and a reputable VPN, along with being careful and having the right tools, you can browse the dark web legally and safely. Responsible use protects your privacy while staying within the law, so it’s a safe place to browse for real privacy reasons. Bear in mind too, that your internet provider will be able to see you connecting to Tor nodes, even if it doesn’t know exactly what you’re doing. Many people install a VPN as well, but then you’re putting your trust in an additional third party to not track your activities or report them to anyone else.
Curious About The Dark Web? Read This First
Just remember, both the Tor Browser and VPNs will slow things down, so you’ll likely not be happy with streaming through the Tor Browser. Other options are the Freenet and I2P (Invisible Internet Project) peer-to-peer networks, both of which provide censorship-free communications. Yes, Tor-capable browsers are available for both major mobile platforms, Android and iOS. VPN Over Tor is when you first connect to the Tor network and then connect to your VPN. This means you should never change the default settings in the Tor Browser.
The internet is huge—even in its shadows—it is possible to wander legally there. By encrypting communication before it gets to the Tor network, pairing Tor with a VPN gives a second degree of protection. Research of the dark web is legal as long as national or international laws are not broken. Indeed, most nations; including the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, allow access to the dark web as a lawful activity. As I’ve previously said, it’s a good idea to keep your interactions with the dark web to a minimum, unless you can absolutely trust the people you’re dealing with.
