The dark web, also known as the deep web, is a hidden portion of the internet that can only be accessed using specialized software. It is often associated with illegal activities such as drug trafficking, hacking, and the sale of stolen personal information. However, it also serves as a platform for whistleblowers, activists, and journalists to share information anonymously. If you want to search across the dark web, you can use a good Dark Web search engine. In this article, I will talk about the dark web, how to access the dark web, and the best dark web search engines to find the hidden portion of the internet.
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Best Dark Web Search Engines
1. Tor Search Engine
This is one of the most popular search engines on the dark web. It was the first-ever dark web search engine that was made available in 1996. Tor search engine allows users to search for hidden services on the Tor network. The search engine is fast and accurate, and it is also one of the most user-friendly options available. It also takes online anonymity seriously and doesn’t track users’ searches and activities.
2. Torch
This search engine has been around for a long time and is considered one of the most comprehensive options available. It allows users to search for a wide variety of content, including .onion sites, forums, and marketplaces. Torch also has a built-in feature that allows users to see the “popularity” of a site, which can be useful for determining its trustworthiness.
3. Ahmia
This is a Finnish search engine that specializes in indexing hidden services on the Tor network. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface, and it also allows users to search for specific types of content such as forums or marketplaces. Ahmia is for people who don’t have access to Tor. By integrating with Tor2Web, it lets people access onion sites. The only disadvantage of this search engine is the small index size.
4. Candle
Candle is another good dark web search engine for Tor’s online websites. It boasts having an index of more than 100,000 web pages including marketplaces and forums. This search engine is also popular among cybercriminals who want to purchase goods from dark market websites. The search box of the Candle doesn’t allow parentheses, boolean operators, or quotes.
5. Not Evil
This is a relatively new search engine that was created as an alternative to Tor Search Engine. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface and allows users to search for a wide variety of content on the dark web. Not Evil doesn’t show ads or track user activity. It has more than 32 million web pages indexed from Tor servers and more than 14 million onion links. This is being managed by a not-for-profit company and relies on a community of volunteers.
It’s important to remember that while these search engines can help you find what you’re looking for on the dark web, they can also lead you to illegal or dangerous content. So, use these dark web search engines with caution and be aware of the risks involved.
Why do we need to use a VPN while searching the dark web?
Using a VPN is recommended when accessing the dark web for several reasons. Firstly, the dark web is often used for illegal activities and VPNs can help to hide your IP address and location, making it more difficult for law enforcement or other organizations to track your activity. Secondly, many dark web sites are only accessible via the Tor network, which is designed to provide anonymity but can still be vulnerable to attack. A VPN can provide an additional layer of security when using Tor. Finally, using a VPN can help to protect your privacy and prevent your personal data from being accessed by third parties while on the dark web.
Things to Consider When Browsing the Dark Web
When browsing the dark web, there are several things to consider in order to stay safe and protect your personal information:
- Use a VPN: As mentioned earlier, using a VPN can help to hide your IP address and location, making it more difficult for law enforcement or other organizations to track your activity.
- Use the Tor network: The Tor network is designed to provide anonymity and can help to protect your privacy. However, it’s important to note that using Tor alone may not be enough to protect you from all threats on the dark web.
- Be cautious of phishing scams: The dark web is full of phishing scams, which are designed to steal your personal information. Be cautious of any emails or messages that ask for your personal information or login credentials.
- Use strong and unique passwords: The dark web is a breeding ground for hackers, and it’s important to use strong and unique passwords for all of your accounts to prevent them from being compromised.
- Be aware of the risks: The dark web is a risky place, and it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers before accessing it. Illegal activities are common on the dark web and it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with accessing it.
- Keep your software up to date: The dark web is also a place where you can find malware and other malicious software, so it’s important to keep your software up to date to protect your device from these threats.
- Be mindful of what you’re downloading: Be mindful of what you’re downloading and avoid opening any attachments or clicking on any links from unknown sources.
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How to access dark web websites?
For accessing dark web websites, you need to first download and install the Tor browser. The Tor Browser is a free, open-source browser that is specifically designed to access the dark web. You can download it from the official website (https://www.torproject.org/). Once the Tor Browser is installed, launch it and wait for it to connect to the Tor network. Once you’re connected to the Tor network, you can start looking for dark web websites. I have already mentioned the 5 best dark web search engines to find out dark web websites. Websites on the dark web usually have “.onion” as the top-level domain.
As I already said, use a VPN when accessing the dark web to add an extra layer of security to protect your privacy and prevent your personal data.
It is also worth noting that accessing the dark web may be illegal in some countries, so you should be aware of the laws and regulations in your area before accessing it.
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