FAQ on Dark Web Websites

What kind of stuff is on the Dark Web?

You can find anything on the dark Web from that which is perfectly legal to dubious or downright illegal/immoral. Examples of these are official company websites (ExpressVPN), forums with few restrictions (4chan), or black markets (Darknet market) that sell anything under the sun.

What is sold on the dark web?

Anything that’s illegal or immoral is typically sold on the Dark Web. This includes guns, recreational drugs, illegal services (assassinations, hacking, etc.), stolen goods, cracked software, hacked credentials (passwords, credit card numbers, etc.), and even tools for use in cybercrime.

How can I safely visit the Dark Web websites?

To increase your safety on dark websites always access them when using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service and ensure that you have Internet Security applications active. Aside from this, never divulge or provide websites or individuals encountered with personal information of any kind, including your email address.

When was Dark Web invented?

The term “Dark Web” was officially coined on 20th March 2000. It came with the introduction of the Freenet decentralized network system invented by Ian Clarke. The intention aimed at offering access to a network that was more difficult for official sources to spy or intrude upon.

What happened to Silk Road?

Silk Road, the Dark Web marketplace, was first shut down in October 2013 with the arrest of founder Ross Ulbricht. By November 2013 it was restarted as Silk Road 2.0 by administrators of the former site. By November 2014, Silk Road 2.0 was also shut down following yet another string of arrests.

Are .onion sites illegal?

No, .onion websites are not always illegal. They are simply domain names used by sites on the Dark Web. Some legal organizations have .onion versions of official websites, including Facebook and ExpressVPN. It is the content or services offered by some websites with the .onion domain that makes them illegal.

Is Tor really secure?

Tor is not completely secure. While the Tor network helps obfuscate device points of origin, the methodology is not foolproof. It is known to have multiple weaknesses including vulnerability to eavesdropping, traffic analysis attacks, mouse fingerprinting, and more.

Is Tor like VPN?

No, Tor is not like VPN. While the intent of masking data origin is similar, Tor makes use of a decentralized network of user-operated nodes. VPN services, on the other hand, provides users with networks of privately-run secure servers operating under strict guidelines and standards.

Does Tor slow down internet?

Yes, Tor does slow down your Internet. Because of the number of nodes your data needs to pass through, Tor slows down Internet access considerably. The difference is akin to taking an express bus direct to your destination versus a regular bus which may route a longer distance and requires stops in between.

What's the best dark web search engine?

The best dark web search engine is DuckDuckGo. It emphasizes protecting searchers' privacy and avoiding the filter bubble of personalized search results found in services such as Google. DuckDuckGo distinguishes itself from other search engines due to this focus.

Is DuckDuckGo dark web?

No, DuckDuckGo is not the dark web but a search engine. It's possible to use DuckDuckGo as your default search engine for the Tor Browser. The Tor browser is a modified version of Firefox that allows you to access websites on the dark web.

Is there a Google for dark web?

You can choose from many search engines that work on the dark web. The most famous is DuckDuckGo, fondly known as the search engine that doesn't track you and doesn't store your personal information. The downside is that it doesn't have the same amount of features you’ll find on Google.

Does Tor use DuckDuckGo?

Yes, DuckDuckGo is the default search engine used when installing the Tor Browser. Over the past few years, it’s been growing in popularity, with some users switching from Google to DuckDuckGo because they want more privacy.

Does Tor hide your IP?

Tor can hide your IP, but it mostly depends on your luck. The Tor network works like a maze, directing your connection along ever-changing paths to prevent a direct trace to your device. The network is operated by volunteers and can conceal a user's location and usage.

Can I access dark web?

You can access the dark web as long as you use the right tools. That includes a dark web browser like Tor Browser. You will also need a good search engine for the dark web like DuckDuckGo. Most importantly, a VPN to help you stay anonymous.

What happens if you go on the dark web?

The dark web is a tiny part of the internet, but it can be dangerous. There are many hackers, scammers, and other less desirable inhabitants. While there are some legitimate websites, others sell illegal items like drugs and weapons on the dark web.

Is dark web safe?

The dark web is not safe, especially if you don’t know what you are doing. You need to take proper precautions like not sharing personal information, using a VPN, and having appropriate Internet Security applications.

Why are the old .onion links no longer working?

All .onion website on the Dark Web are now shifted towards the Onion v3 protocol. That means many of the existing Dark Web Websites will no longer be accessible unless you know their new v3 .onion address. To see if the .Onion URL you’re trying to access is v2 or v3, the most telling sign is the length of the URL. v3 .onion addresses are 56 characters in length. The older v2 URLs are only 16 characters in length.