What is the Dark Web and Is It Safe? Expert Risk Guide 2025

The dark web is the hidden side of the internet that isn’t visible to regular search engines and requires special tools to access. While often associated with illegal activities, it also serves legitimate purposes for privacy-conscious users, journalists, and people in countries with internet censorship.

My team and I have analyzed the latest dark web threats and compiled this guide to help you understand the risks involved. Whether you’re curious about how it works or need to know how to protect yourself, this article covers everything from access methods to safety precautions for navigating this hidden digital space. Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Quick Guide: How to Safely Access the Dark Web in 3 Easy Steps

Still not sure how to safely access the dark web? You can follow this comprehensive guide that breaks down the process in more detail.

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a “hidden” part of the internet that isn’t accessible through standard browsers like Chrome. It’s designed for anonymity, and accessing it requires special browsers like Tor (The Onion Router). This anonymity serves legitimate purposes but also creates opportunities for illegal marketplaces and services to operate with reduced detection risk.

Surface Web vs Deep Web vs Dark Web

To get a better idea of this part of the Internet, it’s important to understand the key differences between the surface web, deep web, and dark web.

The surface web is what most people use daily — websites indexed by search engines like Google. These are publicly accessible pages that appear in search results and don’t require special permissions to view, representing less than 10% of the entire internet.

The dark web is often confused with the deep web. The deep web includes password-protected content like email accounts, online banking, private social media profiles, and subscription services. The deep web makes up 90% of the internet and consists of data that search engines don’t or can’t index due to access restrictions.

Finally, the dark web is a small subset of the internet that requires specialized browsers like Tor to access. It’s deliberately hidden, uses encrypted networks, and offers anonymity to its users. The anonymity makes the dark web capable of serving both legitimate privacy needs and facilitating illegal activities.

What Can You Find on the Dark Web

The dark web hosts a variety of content, from legitimate privacy tools to illegal marketplaces, and it’s important to ensure you safely find the best dark web sites to stay protected while using it. The following are some of the sites you can expect to find on the dark web:

• Communication Platforms. Encrypted messaging services and forums cater to privacy-conscious users, journalists, and whistleblowers. These platforms can provide anonymous communication in countries with internet censorship or surveillance.
• Information Resources. Libraries of censored content, academic papers behind paywalls, and leaked documents are available in specialized archives. Some sites function as uncensored alternatives to mainstream media outlets.
• Privacy Services. Anonymous email providers, cryptocurrency exchanges, and hosting services operate for users seeking to minimize their digital footprint. These legitimate services coexist alongside more questionable offerings.
• Social Networks. Dark web social platforms allow users to connect without revealing their identities. These range from innocuous interest groups to communities centered around illegal activities or extreme ideologies.
• Marketplaces. Dark web markets sell everything from drugs and counterfeit money to stolen credit cards and hacking tools. These sites operate on cryptocurrency payments and often have rating systems similar to legitimate e-commerce platforms.

Risks and Dangers of the Dark Web

Navigating the dark web comes with a few significant risks that you should be aware of before accessing it. These include the following:

• Malware and exploits — Websites on the dark web may contain malicious code designed to compromise your system and steal sensitive information.
• Scams and fraud — Many dark web marketplaces and services are designed to deceive users. Exit scams, where established vendors suddenly disappear with customer funds, are common, as are fake sites mimicking legitimate services.
• Legal consequences — Law enforcement agencies actively monitor dark web activities. Even casual browsing can potentially expose users to legal liability if they inadvertently access illegal content or sites under surveillance.
• Identity exposure — Despite anonymity features, poor security practices can reveal your identity. Mixing dark web browsing with regular activities, using traceable payment methods, or sharing personal details can compromise your security.
• Unmoderated content. Users may encounter extreme material without warning or content moderation.

The Tor Browser and How It Helps Access the Dark Web

Tor (The Onion Router) is the primary gateway to the dark web, designed specifically to provide anonymous browsing through a network of encrypted relays. You can easily use Tor to route your internet traffic through multiple volunteer servers, known as “nodes,” encrypting your data at each step to conceal your identity and location. It has the following key features:

• Onion routing. Sends your connection through at least three random servers before reaching its destination, with a layer of encryption peeled away at each stop.
• No tracking. Blocks tracking scripts, clears cookies, and resists fingerprinting techniques that websites employ to identify users.
• Protected connections. Forces HTTPS connections when available and isolates websites to prevent them from sharing information about your browsing.

Unlike standard browsers, Tor can access .onion domains — special addresses that only exist within the Tor network. It also comes with pre-configured security settings that balance usability with protection. Additionally, its Security Level feature lets you increase protection when visiting sensitive sites by stopping browser features that may leak information.

Remember that while Tor provides anonymity, it’s not foolproof. Logging into personal accounts or downloading files can still reveal your identity despite the protection Tor provides.

How to Stay Safe While Using the Dark Web

You can safely navigate the dark web by following proper precautions and following security best practices. The following measures help you stay safe on the dark web:

• Use a VPN. VPNs work by encrypting your connection, so connecting to one before launching Tor creates a Tor over VPN setup. This adds an extra layer of security and hides Tor usage from your ISP or network administrators.
• Don’t share personal information. Avoid revealing your real name, location, email address, or any identifiable details that could be linked back to you.
• Use an antivirus. Install a top antivirus on your device to detect and block malware that is commonly distributed through dark web sites and downloads.
• Only access trusted .onion sites. Stick to websites that have been verified by trusted sources or directories, as they likely won’t have malware or dangerous content.
• Avoid file downloads. Don’t download any files from dark web sources, as they frequently contain malware designed to compromise your system or steal your information.
• Use temporary emails. Create disposable email addresses when registration is required for dark web services to prevent any connection to your primary accounts or identity.

Best VPNs for Safely Accessing the Dark Web (Tested in 2025)

Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

FAQs on Using the Dark Web

Understand the Dark Web and How You Can Use It Safely

The dark web isn’t just a dangerous place that many people think it is. It helps journalists, activists, and people in countries with strict internet rules stay safe online. Of course, you should remember that it has some inherent dangers, so it’s critical to stay careful if you decide to explore the dark web.

Accessing the dark web isn’t illegal in most countries, but many activities found there are. Always prioritize digital safety by avoiding downloads, using temporary credentials, and never sharing personal information. You can minimize exposure to the dark web’s dangers through VPN usage, the Tor browser, updated antivirus software, and cautious browsing.