If you’re interested in what’s lurking in the shadows of the internet, getting access to the dark web isn’t difficult — but it’s not without risk. Think of it as walking into a city with hidden back alleys: It’s straightforward enough to explore, but taking the wrong route could land you in trouble.
The dark web is a swathe of criminal activity, which includes black-hat hackers, drug dealing and terrorists. It’s also a venue for the worst of society like hitmen, human traffickers and corrupt officials. However, the dark web isn’t all bad – it also functions as a sort of bridge between those who are political outcasts and the rest of us in the free world providing a means for those looking to anonymously report information (whistleblowers).
Tor is a particular browser that lets you access the dark web. It works in a way similar to a VPN, encrypting your requests and removing geo-location data that your ISP or government might use to track you. Tor protects you from adversity because it redirects your request through an international network of servers that are volunteer.
Once you’ve installed, and configured Tor Once you’ve installed and configured Tor, you can begin exploring the dark web. Content isn’t as well-indexed as it is on the surface web, but there are still plenty of sites to check out. For instance, you can find online stores where you can buy illegal drugs and firearms and also sites that offer tips for hiding your digital footprint or launching ransomware attacks.
