The Dark Web, also known as the Dark Net, is a part of the Internet that is not accessible through standard web browsers. It can only be accessed through specialized software such as the Tor browser.
The Dark Web is often associated with illegal activity such as cybercrime including drug dealing, child abuse, and terrorism. However, there are also many legitimate uses for the Dark Web, such as anonymity for whistleblowers and journalists. Facebook and Twitter also have their dark web domains. (If you didn’t know now you know).
Despite its reputation, the Dark Web is a relatively small part of the overall Internet. It is estimated that only around 4% of all websites are accessible through the Tor browser.
What is a Tor Browser?
The Tor Browser is a free and open-source web browser that is based on the Mozilla Firefox web browser. The Tor Browser is designed to protect your privacy and anonymity when using the internet.
The Tor Browser routes your internet traffic through a network of servers, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity. The Tor Browser is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Tor is short for “The Onion Router”. The Tor network was originally developed by the US Naval Research Laboratory as a way to securely communicate between government agencies.
The Tor network consists of a series of volunteer-run servers that route internet traffic through a series of encrypted tunnels. This makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or identify your location.
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How to Download Tor Browser?
The Tor Browser, as we know it, is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. To download the Tor Browser, visit the official website at Torproject.org. Once you’re on the website, click “Download Tor Browser.” Then, select the appropriate version for your operating system and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
If you’re in London and need assistance with downloading or setting up the Tor Browser, you can also reach out to various IT companies in London that offer expert support services.
Once you have the Tor Browser installed, launch it and click “Connect.” That’s it! You’re now browsing anonymously. Keep in mind that because Tor encrypts your traffic, your internet speeds may be slower than usual. But rest assured that your privacy and security are well worth the trade-off.
Best Dark Web Search Engines for Tor Browser
When it comes to the best dark web search engines, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you want a search engine that is private and secure, as well as one that can be used anonymously.
Additionally, you want a search engine that is fast and efficient, so you can get the information you need without any delays. Assuming those are your priorities, here are 8 dark web search engines to use with Tor Browser:
1. Ahmia.fi
Ahmia.fi is a search engine designed to allow access to the so-called “dark web” or “dark net” – a hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed using specific software, such as the Tor browser.
Ahmia is one of a small number of dark web search engines that allow users to access the dark web, and it has been praised for making this otherwise hidden part of the internet more accessible.
However, Ahmia also has a policy against any “abuse material,” something different from many other dark web search engines that also index websites featuring child sexual abuse content.
Ahmia is available on the surface web and supports searches on the i2p network as well. You can visit Ahmia’s .Onion domain here.
2. Haystak
Haystak is one of the dark web search engines designed for the Tor network. The search engine claims to have indexed over 1.5 billion pages which includes more than 260,000 websites, Haystak indeed would stand out to be a resourceful engine on the list.
Haystak also has a paid version which offers a number of additional features such as searching using regular expressions, browsing now-defunct onion sites, and accessing their API. You can visit Haystak by following its .Onion link here.
3. The Hidden Wiki
The Hidden Wiki is a dark web directory that can only be accessed using the Tor network. The site contains links to a variety of different websites. The Hidden Wiki is a valuable resource for those who wish to explore the dark web, as it provides a safe and easy way to access a variety of different sites.
A surface web version is also available. You can visit The Hidden Wiki by following its .Onion link here.
4. Torch
Torch is one of those dark web search engines that have lasted for long enough (since 1996). Torch, like other search engines, crawls these addresses and indexes their content, making it searchable for users.
However, speaking based on personal experience, its search results are not impressive. For instance, I wanted to know Twitter’s onion URL, a very simple piece of information. Yet, it reported everything but that showing how far these search engines have to go in order to improve.
On the other hand, it is fast and can come in handy regardless. Nevertheless, you can visit Torch by following its .Onion link here.
5. Recon
This particular search engine was built by Hugbunt3r, a prominent member of the popular Dread service on the dark web. It aims to serve as a database through which users can search for products from different vendors in different marketplaces on the dark web.
Individual profile viewing options for vendors & marketplaces are also available including details like ratings, mirror links, number of listings, and uptime percentage. You can visit Recon by following its .Onion link here and just in case you manage to bypass its DDoS protection captcha page let us know in the comment section because we failed to do so. (Good luck).
6. DuckDuckGo
Did you know DuckDuckGo is available on the dark web and they have their .Onion domain as well? Yes, but it only displays results from the surface web even if used on the Tor browser.
Yet, when it comes to anonymity DuckDuckGo has a proven track record which is why the privacy advocate team behind DDG is known as a long-time foe of Google. You can visit DuckDuckGo by visiting its .Onion link here.
7. Onion Search
Onion Search is a search engine for the dark web that enables users to find and access Onion sites. The site is designed to be used with the Tor browser, which allows users to browse the internet anonymously.
A look at its About page reveals that the search engine is being operated by France as the search engine is acknowledged to be “fully compliant with the Law of France.” Another noteworthy option on the search engines is that one can report child abuse content to the administrator who vows to remove it.
Onion Search is available on the clear net as well as on the dark web through its .Onion domain.
8. Deep Search
Deep Search is a search engine for the dark web. It is designed to index and search onionspace, the hidden services portion of the Tor network. DeepSearch is open-source and available for anyone to use.
According to my personal experience, Deep Search seems to provide pretty accurate and useful results, unlike others who spam users with spam links. Another noteworthy feature of Deep Search is that it provides a list of marketplaces, exchanges, and websites involved in scamming users.
If you want to give Deep Search a try check their .Onion domain here.
To conclude, you may also find the links of other dark web search engines but these happen to be the ones that stand out the most.
What NOT TO DO on the Dark Web?
The dark web is a place full of potential danger. Many things can go wrong when visiting the dark web, and it’s important to be aware of them before you go. Here are some things to avoid doing on the dark web:
- Don’t click on any links unless you know where they lead. Many links on the dark web lead to illegal drug markets, child abuse content, malicious sites, or downloads.
- Never enter your personal information into any form on the dark web. This includes your name, address, email, and phone number.
- Don’t download anything from the dark web unless you trust the source. There are many viruses and malware lurking on the dark web, waiting to be downloaded by unsuspecting users.
- Never ever download illegal and abusive content that includes content against children, torture, blackmail, and other malicious content.
Use a VPN
Although the Tor browser protects your online privacy using a reliable VPN at the same time is a plus. A VPN will encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address, making it much harder for someone to track you down. Additionally, if you are on a clear net, a VPN will give you access to blocked websites and content.
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