To get to the dark web links, you need to use the anonymizing browser Tor. You can’t just type in the name of a dark web page and have it pop up; you need to know the full address.
The dark web has a notorious reputation for being the hub for illegal activities such as drug dealing and the hiring of assassins, leading many to label it a “dangerous” area of the internet. The dark web is not only a haven for illegal marketplaces, despite the fact that there are risks to be found there.
When using proper encryption, the dark web can be a secure haven for reporters and leakers. Even in nations where free speech online is restricted, people can utilize the dark web to communicate without fear of repercussions.
What is the Tor Browser, and how is it different from other Browsers?
Tor Browser is a browser that conceals your online identity by routing your traffic through the Tor network.
The Tor Browser could be the answer if your Internet service provider (ISP) or the government has no business knowing what websites (including dark web links) you visit since it’s just creepy. In addition to being slower than surface web browsing, using Tor can get you blocked from using some of the most popular websites. In authoritarian countries, Tor Browser is banned because it allows users to secretly share and discuss information online. Researchers are constantly working to improve Tor’s anonymity features, and journalists and dissidents from all around the world have embraced it as a foundation of online democracy.
Tor Browser for Mobile and Cell Phones
A growing number of individuals are accessing the Internet on their mobile devices, and in certain developing countries, mobile access to the Internet has already replaced desktop use. Due to this, the Tor Project has spent the past few years improving the mobile version of the Tor Browser.
In 2019, the Tor Project announced the official release of Tor Browser for Android, which replaced the Guardian Project’s Orfox as the recommended Tor Browser for Android. Likewise, The Guardian Project’s Orbot, which is also a Tor proxy for Android and allows users to tunnel all their app traffic over Tor rather than just their web traffic, is still very much active.
The Tor Project has not yet developed an official Tor Browser for iPhone and iPad users because of technical restrictions on Apple’s proprietary iOS platform; nonetheless, OnionBrowser is recommended for those who wish to surf the web anonymously while using an iOS device. OnionBrowser will soon be updated with a plethora of security enhancements, such as the ability to set different security settings for each website and the resolution of several information leakage issues. By early November 2019, you should be able to download OnionBrowser’s newest and finest version.
How can Beginners use the Tor Browser to access the Dark Web?
It’s as easy as downloading Chrome or Firefox to use Tor Browser; the two are virtually interchangeable. The first thing a person who has never used Tor would notice is that it is slow, or at least slower than using the standard internet. The anonymity network Tor has improved to the point where users with a fast enough connection may even watch YouTube videos while connected to the network.
You can visit the dark web links, which are normally only accessible from within the Tor network, using Tor Browser. Only by utilizing Tor are you able to access the dark web. This allows for anonymous news reading, which is especially useful in countries where citizens are concerned about the government tracking their news consumption habits.
There is one main drawback to using the Tor Browser. Inaccessible error messages are a common occurrence when popular websites forgo supporting Tor users. The service is likely limiting Tor traffic and being unduly vague about it. If the site you typically visit suddenly returns 404 while accessing via Tor. The number of captchas you’ll have to solve on sites that don’t prohibit Tor may be very high. Even while it’s not the end of the world, it is frustrating.
How does the Tor Browser work to connect you to the Dark Web?
Tor Browser conceals your online activity on dark web links through the Tor network. The graphics below show how Tor’s three proxies work together to create a protective shield. Much like the layers of an onion. Tor Browser connects to one of the specified entry nodes at random, then routes your traffic through a second random relay, and finally out through an exit node.
Don’t be startled if you’re greeted by Google or another service in a language you don’t understand. Using Tor will look like you’re in a completely different country than you actually are. This is because these services determine your location based on your IP address, which often indicates your language and country.
You can also set up Tor Browser to use bridges. If you need to access a website or service that doesn’t allow Tor traffic. Bridge IP addresses are not publicly publicized like Tor’s entry, and exit nodes are, making it harder for online services or governments to blacklist bridge IP addresses.
Is it legal to use the Tor browser to access Dark Web Links?
The usage of the Tor Browser is perfectly legal for the vast majority of users who access dark web links. However, Tor is unlawful or blocked by national authorities in several countries. Using Tor to access the internet is illegal in China. And the country’s Great Firewall prevents traffic from leaving its territory. Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are just a few of the countries that are actively cracking down on Tor use by their citizens.
It’s clear why an oppressive government would target Tor with such hostility. The service facilitates the reporting of corruption by journalists and the mobilization of dissidents in the face of political repression. Freedom of expression online depends on the ability to remain anonymous when communicating, publishing, and reading; this is a necessary condition for modern democracies. By using and promoting Tor, you are aiding the global cause of free speech. Experienced users are asked to help the Tor network out by operating a relay and donating their bandwidth.
What are Dark Web Search Engines?
Even the greatest dark web search engines have trouble keeping up with the dynamic nature of dark web links. Like perusing the web in the late ’90s, this is a throwback experience. Grams, one of the top search engines, provides results that are both generic and repetitious. There are alternative options, such as link lists like The Hidden Wiki. But even indices produce a frustrating number of timed-out connections and 404 errors.
Using Tor to gain access to Dark Web Links
The websites you find on the dark web look like any other website, but there are key differences. The organization of names is one example. Sites on the dark web typically terminate in .onion rather than.com or .co. An anonymous hidden service accessible through the Tor network, as defined by Wikipedia as “a special-use top-level domain suffix.” Only browsers configured to use the proxy server can access these resources.
Furthermore, dark web sites employ a convoluted naming structure that results in URLs that are notoriously difficult to remember. Scammers, who build up numerous dark web platforms, frequently change addresses to avoid getting shut down by their victims. An online store’s rapid demise isn’t unheard of, even if it’s been around for a while if the proprietors decide to cash out. And run off with the customers’ escrow funds.
Why is it recommended to use the Tor Browser to access Dark Web Links?
Although the Tor Project’s efforts are commendable. Tor itself is the largest, most robust, and most effective metadata-resistant software project. Its anonymity limits have been well-known to researchers for some time. There doesn’t seem to be any easy way to solve it or a suitable alternative on the horizon.
The Onion Router (Tor) is not an acronym; the initial-caps spelling is a shibboleth to identify outsiders. It is designed for low-latency web browsing, supports only TCP, and is blocked by many major websites.
Even for web browsing, Tor does not provide 100% anonymity, but it is the best option currently available. Tor has more than one intended use, just like many other aspects of life and the web. Reporters’ ability to conduct research on a story while remaining anonymous is threatened by the same technology that is used by criminals to commit wrongdoing. People who complain about the mysterious “Dark Web” and say “someone should do something” should be reminded that the fact that bank robbers use automobiles on public roads does not imply that we advocate for the elimination of automobiles or the prohibition of highways.
Whenever possible, use the Tor Browser on your mobile device. There is an option to use the anonymous Tor network with the Brave browser. Android users can use the official Tor Browser app. While iOS users can use OnionBrowser, an unofficial program supported by the Tor Project.
Conclusion
In terms of anonymity, Tor Browser is now the best option; however, it is not completely secure. Researchers are working to improve Tor or create a new generation of anonymity tools. While governments around the world are trying to figure out how to crack Tor’s encryption. The most effective method to reveal the identities of Tor Browser users has been hacking their accounts. It’s not simple, though, because only government bodies have the power to make these changes.