How to Access the Dark Web Safely: A 2024 Beginner’s Guide

Accessing the dark web isn’t 100% safe, even if you use Tor. Your ISP can still see your activity and may report it. It’s monitored because the dark web is linked to illegal activities like drug trafficking, weapon sales, and data breaches. Plus, it’s a known location for cybercriminals who want to steal data and jeopardize your device’s security.

There are a few ways you can boost security when using the dark web: making sure Tor settings are optimized, only visiting trusted sites, and using a VPN all help improve privacy. Of all the options I looked at, a VPN is the best way to access the dark web safely.

VPNs are easy to use and encrypt your connections to ensure your activity can’t be traced back to you — your ISP won’t even know you’re accessing the dark web. A service like ExpressVPN is a great choice, with premium security features and fast connection speeds. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Safely access the dark web with ExpressVPN

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

What Is the Dark Web?

The internet consists of 3 layers: the surface web (or clear web), the deep web, and the dark web.

The Surface Web

The surface web, or clear web, is part of the internet we use every day. It includes news websites, social media, and online shops like Amazon — sites that we can browse directly, without logging in.

The Deep Web

The deep web includes websites that are not open to the public. You need a special link or password to access the sites, as search engines like Google can’t find them. The deep web stores private content like emails, subscription services, and company websites with sensitive data (like medical or financial information).

The Dark Web

The dark web is part of the deep web that isn’t easily accessible. You can’t browse it just by logging in because dark web sites use hidden IP addresses hosted in encrypted networks — dark web activity is fully anonymous and untraceable.

To reach a dark website, you need a secure browser like Tor. It works similarly to other browsers like Chrome or Firefox, but channels data through a series of connections rather than going directly to your online destination. This is more secure, but much slower.

Websites on the dark web have randomly created URLs consisting of up to 56 letters and numbers. For Tor, instead of using .com or .net, dark web sites end in .onion.

Step-by-Step Guide: Access the Dark Web Safely on Any Device

Download and Connect to a VPN

Download and Install Tor

Download Tor from its official website at torproject.org. Avoid fraudulent Tor-like browsers that compromise your online security. The browser is free to download and works on multiple operating systems.

Instructions vary depending on your operating system:

Set Up the Tor Browser

When you launch Tor for the first time, you’ll be prompted to configure your settings. Check security settings by clicking the shield icon on the browser toolbar. There are three levels: Standard, Safer, and Safest. Standard is the default setting and provides secure browsing. Safer and Safest boost security, but increased protection can stop sites from working properly.

I recommend enabling all available add-ons to maximize security. By default, NoScript is already enabled — this disables JavaScript on untrusted sites. Go to the menu in the top right-hand corner and select “Add-ons” for further optimization.

Safely Browse the Dark Web With Tor

Consider using a safe dark web search engine like DuckDuckGo (https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion/) to find the sites you’re looking for. If you already know the websites you want to access, insert the .onion link into Tor’s webpage bar.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Additional Tips for Safe Browsing on the Dark Web

1. Don’t reveal your real identity — try to avoid using information that can be traced back to you — use an encrypted email service (like Proton Mail) and separate email address and username, turn off your device location, cover your camera and microphone, and opt for cryptocurrency payments when making purchases.
2. Use a different operating system — a privacy-focused operating system, like Tails or Linux, provides a greater level of security overall. They work with Tor to ensure your activities remain private, offer more control over your data, and have more security features.
3. Update your device and browser — regular updates protect your device and browser from vulnerabilities and protect you from hackers, malware, and data breaches.
4. Disable JavaScript — JavaScript is used to create interactive elements on websites, but it can be exploited to reveal your IP address, bypass VPN and Tor protections, and execute malicious code on your device — disabling it minimizes the risk of being de-anonymized.
5. Use an antivirus — antivirus software with real-time protection defends your device against viruses, Trojans, phishing attacks, malware, ransomware, DDoS attacks, and other harmful programs.
6. Open downloads offline — this minimizes the risk of malware “phoning home” to an attacker’s server, which could lead to data exfiltration, remote control of your device, or tracking and tracing your identity.
7. Only visit trusted sites — visiting unknown sites poses significant risks, including phishing and malware, illegal content, or fraudulent marketplaces — stick to trusted and well-known websites, or use reputable directories or search engines to find websites.

The Best VPNs for Accessing the Dark Web Safely (Tested 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — TrustedServer Technology Ensures None of Your Data Is Stored

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	3,000+
📱Devices	8
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer technology across its network, meaning all servers are RAM-based and wiped at regular reboots. This reduces the risk of your sensitive data falling into the wrong hands when you access the dark web.

You need the best security available to combat threats when you use Tor, and ExpressVPN has a range of top-tier features, including:

• Network Lock kill switch — automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
• AES-256 military-grade encryption — ensures your data remains secure and unreadable by potential attackers.
• Perfect forward secrecy (PFS) — regularly changes encryption keys, protecting encrypted messages from future hacking.
• Obfuscated servers — help bypass VPN blocking and censorship by disguising VPN traffic as regular internet traffic.
• DNS/IPv6 leak protection — protects your real IP address from being accidentally exposed.
• Headquarters in the British Virgin Islands — a privacy-friendly location without data retention laws.

Although its servers use the highest security, ExpressVPN doesn’t compromise your speed. ExpressVPN’s speeds consistently outperformed other VPNs, making it the best option for accessing the dark web. This is crucial as Tor connections are generally slower than standard browsers.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

2. CyberGhost — NoSpy Servers Ensure Maximum Security While Browsing the Dark Web

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	11,676+
📱Devices	7
💰Refund	45 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers, located in Romania, are ideal for accessing the dark web safely. These servers are managed in-house by CyberGhost, ensuring no third parties can access or tamper with the data. Romania’s strong privacy laws also protect your anonymity, making CyberGhost a reliable VPN for keeping your dark web activities secure and private.

CyberGhost offers a range of features designed to enhance your security while using the Tor network, including:

• Automatic kill switch — ensures that if your VPN connection drops, your internet connection is immediately cut off, preventing any data from leaking.
• Leak protection for DNS and IPv6 — ensures your real IP address and location remain hidden.
• Zero-log privacy policy — guarantees that none of your online activities are tracked or recorded, giving you peace of mind while exploring the dark web.
• Auto-connect configuration — allows you to set up CyberGhost to automatically connect to a server whenever the Tor browser is opened, creating a seamless and secure Tor over VPN connection.

It’s worth noting that CyberGhost isn’t as fast over long-distance connections. This could be an issue when using the NoSpy servers as you may experience slower speeds.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Advanced Security Settings to Fine-Tune Dark Web Connections

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	35,000+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a top choice for accessing the dark web due to its advanced security settings. These let you fine-tune your connection, with extensive customization options for encryption protocols (AES-128 or AES-256), DNS settings, and proxy settings — all to boost security and privacy when accessing the dark web.

PIA includes several key features designed to protect your privacy on the dark web:

• Zero-log privacy policy — ensures that none of your online activities are monitored or recorded, maintaining anonymity.
• Kill switch — automatically cuts internet connections if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
• Leak protection — DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection prevents your real IP address from being exposed, keeping your identity hidden.
• MACE ad, tracker, and malware blocker — safeguards you from malicious ads and websites, which are common threats on the dark web.

One minor drawback of PIA is that you may occasionally experience difficulties connecting to Tor if the kill switch is enabled. If this happens, it’s advisable to contact PIA’s customer support for assistance in troubleshooting the issue.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Why You Need a VPN to Be Safe on the Dark Web

Onion routing makes it more difficult for third parties to trace your data back to you, but it’s still possible to identify you through Tor. Without a VPN, your IP address is exposed to anyone who wants to find it. There are also risks of data breaches if the security of the Tor website you are using is compromised.

For example, in 2014 the FBI caught users involved in illegal activity on the dark web because of a security issue with JavaScript. In 2017, a system failure resulted in multiple websites crashing and exposing the IP addresses of many of its users. Though Tor developers tend to fix issues quickly, they can’t always keep up with them.

A VPN encrypts your data before it reaches your ISP. It also hides your IP address by relocating your virtual location. That way, your ISP won’t know you’re browsing on Tor, and your activity will remain private.

VPN Over Tor or Tor Over VPN: Which Is Better?

While using Tor alone provides some anonymity, it may not be enough to protect you from surveillance, traffic analysis, or malicious exit nodes. To enhance security, you can opt for either a VPN over Tor or Tor over VPN setup.

VPN Over Tor

When you use VPN over Tor, your internet traffic first goes through the Tor network, which hides your identity by bouncing your connection through several different computers around the world. After that, your traffic goes through a VPN, which adds another layer of protection by encrypting your data and hiding your location.

This configuration offers several advantages, including:

• Enhanced privacy through the combination of Tor’s multi-hop routing and VPN encryption.
• The ability to bypass ISP blocks on Tor, enabling access to otherwise restricted websites.
• Protection against malicious exit nodes, as the VPN server obscures the final destination of your traffic.

One disadvantage of VPN over Tor is that you might get slower connection speeds due to the combined overhead of the Tor network and VPN encryption.

Tor Over VPN

In the Tor over VPN setup, you first connect to a VPN and then use the Tor network. This means your ISP can see that you’re using a VPN, but they won’t know you’re using Tor. It’s easy to set up because many VPN providers have built-in support for Tor over VPN.

One issue with this method is that you may be vulnerable to malicious exit nodes since your traffic exits the Tor network before being encrypted by the VPN.

Using Tor over VPN is the most secure choice for accessing the dark web because it hides your activity and identity from your ISP and other third parties (like government authorities) who might be able to detect your Tor usage.

No matter which setup you choose, be sure to use a top VPN with a strict no-logs policy to maintain your privacy and resist potential government pressure to disclose user data.

Alternatives to the Tor Browser

While Tor is the best option for browsing the dark web, there are alternatives that offer different levels of accessibility and security. It’s crucial to remember that browsing the dark web always involves risks, so using a VPN for added security is advisable.

• I2P — The Invisible Internet Project allows access to its unique sites called “eepsites.” I2P doesn’t provide access to as many sites as Tor and can be difficult to manually configure. However, I2P is faster and provides better peer-to-peer security than Tor, using one-way tunnels to encrypt traffic. I2P also has a distributed network database that is more resistant to attacks than Tor’s Directory servers.
• Freenet — Only provides access to content uploaded on the Freenet network (not to .onion links). Freenet is an anonymous platform for peer-to-peer content sharing, offering both private and random peer connections. Freenet is much more straightforward to set up and use, and runs automatically in your web browser when opened — I recommend using a different browser than usual to maintain privacy.

Is the Dark Web Illegal?

The dark web is legal to access in most countries, but it can be used for illegal purposes like hacking, selling and buying drugs, and child pornography. Governments and special services worldwide work tirelessly to locate and punish anyone involved in such activities, but it often takes months or years to catch cybercriminals.

Some of the most popular crime stores from the dark web include:

• Silk Road — the first digital marketplace selling illegal goods and services, including guns, forged paperwork, and drugs, with users making anonymous purchases with Bitcoin. Silk Road’s founder, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested in 2013 after the FBI discovered he had set up the website using his real name and email. He was sentenced to life in prison after detectives seized $48 million earned in commissions.
• Hieu Minh Ngo — a hacker who stole the bank details, names, and Social Security numbers of more than 200 million US citizens and sold the data on the dark web. Minh Ngo earned up to $2 million through online transactions before his arrest — he was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison.
• Shannon Grant McCoole — a worker for the Australian Department of Child Protection who launched a child pornography website, uploading explicit interactions with children as young as 18 months old. He was arrested in 2014 and the police discovered more than 100,000 images and 600 videos of exploitation on his personal computer — he was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
• Ashley Madison — a popular dating site for extramarital affairs that fell victim to a dark web hacker attack in 2015, stealing over 60GB of user data. After ignoring the hackers’ demands to shut the site down, the hackers published personal information, including user emails and home addresses — the hackers’ identities remain unknown.

Though extremely unsettling, these are only a few out of hundreds of illegal activities taking place on the dark web every day. However, the dark web isn’t all bad, and you can use it to engage in many useful and legal digital practices.

What You Can Use the Dark Web For

Despite the dark web’s bad reputation, it provides a way for many people to bypass local digital restrictions and access content unavailable in certain countries. Users also view the dark web as a platform to exercise their right to freedom of speech and privacy. Though not exhaustive, these are the most popular positive uses of the dark web:

1. Stay Anonymous Online

The dark web has many social media platforms, gaming websites, and ultra-secure email services. Plus, your online activity is anonymous and can’t easily be traced by hackers and government authorities. It also allows you to bypass censorship and access websites otherwise restricted in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries.

2. Exposing Corruption

Multiple online magazines and news channels like CNN, FOX, and NBC have open sites on the dark web to receive anonymous tips from online users.

Journalists and whistleblowers regularly turn to the dark web to share controversial information about government representatives, celebrities, or money scandals, like tax evasion. This ensures that activists exposing illegal practices can avoid prosecution.

3. Sharing Personal Stories

Due to the anonymity it provides, many people use the dark web to share their personal stories. This ranges from websites with advice on a variety of topics to online support forums where people discuss traumatic experiences like physical or sexual abuse. It’s a way to connect with other victims and seek help without revealing your identity.

4. Buying Things Anonymously

While I don’t condone purchasing any illegal items, there are many legitimate reasons to buy products and services on the dark web. This includes buying software, electronic devices, or medication.

5. Getting Medical Advice

Some doctors offer advice to patients on the Dark Web. Practitioners can be found on various medical forums as well as their own websites. This is a great way to get assistance and advice for those who want to keep their conditions private.

The most popular “Drug Counselor,” who goes by the nickname DoctorX, has answered hundreds of questions regarding drug addiction, self-harm, and more.

6. Joining Online Communities

By browsing Tor, you can find similar sites and online communities that you’d find on the clear web, including clubs and social networks.

Always avoid engaging in any forums involving illegal activities (like sharing sensitive material), as you could face prosecution.

7. Research

The dark web can be a valuable resource for academic research and data gathering, providing access to information that may be difficult to find on the surface web. This includes unpublished works, controversial articles, and unique primary sources across a range of topics.

Researchers can also use the anonymous communication features on the dark web to interact with experts, insiders, and fellow researchers while protecting their privacy. However, it is essential to verify sources, cross-check data, and avoid accessing or engaging in illegal content to avoid serious legal repercussions.

The Risks & Dangers of the Dark Web

Malware

Hackers create fraudulent dark websites containing malware that can infect your computer. These malicious programs can record keystrokes, steal documents and financial data, record audio and video from your computer, or even hijack your personal device for blackmail.

As it’s often difficult to tell whether sites on the dark web are legitimate, it’s easy to download malware without knowing. To stay safe, use the dark web with a specific aim in mind and do research beforehand to get a list of trustworthy links.

Criminal Activity

The dark web is used by criminals to sell stolen goods, weapons, drugs, and fake documents. Criminals also use the dark web to hire hackers and assassins. Some sites have disturbing and illegal content like child pornography or live-streamed murders. I strongly advise against browsing random sites to avoid accessing unsettling content.

Surveillance

Law enforcement agencies and governments monitor the dark web to catch criminals. As it’s incredibly difficult to identify users on the dark web, governments sometimes set up fake illegal websites to catch cybercriminals. In some countries, you can attract the attention of the authorities simply by using a browser like Tor.

Fraudulent Sites

Fraudulent sites may impersonate popular online marketplaces, financial services, or charitable organizations to deceive users into providing sensitive information. This can include login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal details. Always verify the authenticity of a site before providing any personal information or making transactions.

FAQs on Accessing the Dark Web Safely

Access the Dark Web Safely With Tor Over VPN

The dark web provides users with digital freedom and unlimited resources, and there are plenty of positive ways to browse despite its negative reputation. However, it’s vital to follow precautions to use the dark web safely.

Avoid sharing personal information, and use an antivirus and reputable VPN to access the dark web safely. The best VPN for the dark web is ExpressVPN, with top security features and reliably fast speeds for safe, smooth browsing. All ExpressVPN plans are backed by a 30-day guarantee, so you can get a full refund if it’s not right for you.

Summary — The Best VPNs to Access the Dark Web Safely in 2024

Rank

Provider name

Our score

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Top Ranked Top Choice

1.

9.8

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$4.99 / month Save 61%

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2.

9.6

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$2.19 / month Save 83%

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3.

9.4

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3.

9.4

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$2.03 / month Save 83%

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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.