full image - Repost: How to Access the Dark Web Safely (from Reddit.com, How to Access the Dark Web Safely)
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The dark web, you see, is rather like the seedy underbelly of the internet—a place of intrigue and danger that can only be reached by employing the services of certain browsers, such as Tor. Many a chap would have you believe that it is a wretched hive of scoundrels and criminals, skulking about and conducting their nefarious business away from the watchful eye of the law. And while there may be a modicum of truth in this portrayal, one must not overlook the fact that the dark web does have its fair share of perfectly legitimate reasons for a visit.A primary advantage of venturing into the shadowy recesses of the dark web lies in the cloak of anonymity it provides. Alas, this protective veil only extends as far as the network itself—your Internet Service Provider (ISP), for instance, can still detect your foray into the dark web and may feel obliged to report your activities to the authorities, even if your actions are above board.Fear not, for a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can come to your aid in such a predicament. This trusty ally safeguards your online privacy by encrypting your internet traffic and channelling it through its discreet servers. In doing so, it ensures that your personal data remains hidden from the prying eyes of miscreants, hackers, trackers, and the myriad cyber threats that lurk in the depths of the dark web.Peeling the Onion: A Gentleman's Guide to the Layers of the InternetWhat, one might ask, is this enigmatic Dark Web? You see, dear reader, the internet is rather like a colossal onion, composed of three distinct layers, each more mysterious and elusive than the last. Permit me to elucidate the contents of each stratum:The Surface WebThe surface web—or, as some may refer to it, the clean web—is that delightful, sunlit portion of the internet which one can access at leisure, employing the services of mainstream browsers (such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and the like). Any web page that can be discovered through a casual Google search resides within this domain. Here, you are privy only to the information which the website's administrator deigns to reveal, and you shan't gain access to the inner workings, account pages, or archival materials.To illustrate, consider perusing the offerings of an online emporium (eBay, for instance) on the surface web. Your browsing experience shall be confined within certain boundaries, until such time as you log into an account—at which point, you shall find yourself venturing deeper into the mysterious realm of the deep web.The Deep WebThe deep web as a veritable treasure trove of private and exclusive content, often protected by passwords and hidden from prying eyes. Indeed, this vast expanse comprises a whopping 96% of the internet. The pages nestled within the deep web elude search engines and can only be accessed by individuals possessing specific links or login credentials.Encompassing such delights as cloud drives, account pages on myriad websites, medical records, and even credit card information, access to the deep web typically requires a specialized URL and password. For instance, your esteemed company's database would likely reside in this enigmatic domain.One mustn't confuse the deep web with its murkier cousin, the dark web—though many a misguided soul has done so.The Dark WebThe dark web, dear reader, is the most elusive layer of the internet—a realm accessible only through extraordinary means. Its websites cannot be visited using your garden-variety browser, and they boast a rather unique URL structure, diverging from the customary surface and deep web addresses. On the dark web, one encounters URLs composed of a perplexing jumble of letters and numbers, culminating in ".onion" rather than ".com."To venture into this shadowy territory, one must employ specialized software, such as the Tor browser, though alternatives like Freenet, Riffle, and I2P exist. Within the dark web, one can stumble upon both lawful and illicit websites and activities, as the dark web remains unregulated.While Tor and its brethren offer a modicum of protection, they cannot guarantee complete anonymity—indeed, even your ISP may detect your forays into the dark web. These browsers merely serve as portals, granting access to a particular network while leaving your personal data exposed to potential ne'er-do-wells. Fear not, however, for an additional safeguard exists: by connecting to a VPN whilst exploring the dark web, one can ensure an extra layer of protection against prying eyes and dastardly cybercriminals.Is the Dark Web Illegal?The legality of the dark web is rather a delicate matter. In most civilized countries, the dark web itself is legal, and as long as one refrains from engaging in nefarious activities, one should remain comfortably aboveboard. However, in locales burdened with oppressive censorship (think China or the UAE), accessing the dark web is verboten. It would be most prudent to adhere to the laws of one's country, lest one find oneself in an unseemly legal quandary.Even in countries where the dark web is tolerated, simply using a dark web browser like Tor might earn one a spot under the watchful eye of the authorities. You see, these fine protectors of the realm use the dark web to ensnare the criminal element, who may be indulging in such unsavory pursuits as human trafficking, drug or weapon deals, and the like. Consider these rather notorious dark web cases:The Silk Road Case: Picture, if you will, the Amazon of the dark web. Despite its initially noble intentions, this virtual emporium devolved into a marketplace for all manner of illicit goods, such as drugs, weapons, and forged documents. Its mastermind was apprehended after promoting his website on the surface web using his real email address—a most elementary error.AlphaBay Case: Picking up where the Silk Road left off, AlphaBay facilitated the sale and trade of drugs, weapons, and other contraband. Its proprietor was ultimately caught due to a lamentable combination of weak passwords, use of his real email address, a lack of encryption, and more.The Ashley Madison Case: This scandalous affair (pun intended) captured the public's attention. A website designed to facilitate extramarital liaisons, Ashley Madison found itself hacked, with the private information of its users revealed for all to see. The hackers, however, remain at large.While such sordid tales cast a rather grim shadow over the dark web, there exists a plethora of legal and commendable activities accessible therein. To safely navigate these murky depths, it is advisable to limit one's visits to reputable sites of unimpeachable character and employ additional security measures to maintain one's dignity and discretion.What Can One Accomplish on the Dark Web?The dark web, despite its shadowy reputation, offers a number of laudable activities and resources, so long as one maintains a suitable degree of anonymity. Navigating Tor without due care can leave one vulnerable to unsavory characters such as hackers, trackers, and purveyors of digital malaise. However, when exercising appropriate caution, the dark web presents a veritable treasure trove of opportunities, including:The exercise of free speech: For those residing in countries stifled by censorship, the dark web offers a haven for open communication without fear of exposure.Unmasking ne'er-do-wells and unscrupulous public figures: Journalists and whistleblowers find solace in the dark web as a secure venue for exchanging anonymous tips and investigating matters of a sensitive nature.Procuring products at a discount: The dark web occasionally boasts lower prices for items such as electronics or security software. However, exercising prudence is paramount: use bitcoin and deal only with reputable sources.Delving into research material: A veritable library of free resources, including digital books and research papers, await the curious mind on the dark web.Anonymously joining the conversation: Online communities and support websites on the dark web provide a forum for sharing tips and advice without divulging one's identity.Seeking medical counsel: For those afflicted by troublesome symptoms or private health concerns, the dark web hosts medical professionals ready to dispense their wisdom. This service proves invaluable for those seeking discretion or lacking the means to visit a clinic in person.ExpressVPN: A Prized Protector of PrivacyExpressVPN boasts an impressive array of privacy features designed to safeguard one's online endeavours. With its TrustedServer technology, all servers are of the RAM-based variety, ensuring that any trace of your digital dalliances vanishes with each reboot. Thus, no data is stored and consequently, none can be shared. Additionally, ExpressVPN employs Private DNS, which channels your dark web traffic securely through its own encrypted DNS servers, leaving no opportunity for interlopers to glimpse your activities.Adhering to a strict no-logs policy, ExpressVPN refrains from storing any activity data. Furthermore, its domicile outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances exempts it from sharing information with any government. But, as mentioned, with no stored data, there's nothing to share in any case.Aside from its top-notch privacy measures, ExpressVPN comes equipped with robust security features such as AES-256 bit encryption and DNS/IP leak protection. Leak protection is of paramount importance for keeping personal information and location under wraps, thwarting hackers and cybercriminals. I put this to the test with an independent tool and found no leaks to report.A network lock kill switch is also at your disposal, ensuring that in the rare event of a VPN failure, your internet connection is severed to prevent accidental data exposure. I tested its efficacy by engaging the kill switch while changing servers, resulting in a complete internet connection shutdown for the 15-second server switch.Lastly, ExpressVPN's unique security protocol, Lightway, optimizes for speed without sacrificing security, proving faster than traditional VPN protocols such as OpenVPN. Truly, a trusty companion for the gentleman venturing into the digital unknown.CyberGhost: A Haunt for the Most Discerning Privacy AficionadoCyberGhost employs the exclusive NoSpy server collection to bolster privacy and security for its patrons. These encrypted servers reside within the CyberGhost manor in Romania, accessible only to the most trusted and certified staff members. Such an arrangement significantly diminishes the likelihood of unsolicited third-party meddling.Moreover, Romania finds itself comfortably outside the 5/9/14 Eyes jurisdiction, rendering CyberGhost exempt from the obligation to divulge information, even to the most insistent government agencies. In this manner, CyberGhost serves as a digital butler, ever vigilant and discreet, catering to the privacy needs of even the most discerning internet connoisseur.A Dandy's Compendium to Staying Hush-Hush on the Dark WebWhile the dark web offers a plenitude of legitimate reasons to saunter through its virtual avenues, it could also render one susceptible to a medley of unsavory perils. Employing a reliable VPN such as ExpressVPN shall undoubtedly aid in safeguarding one's jaunt through the dark web. Nevertheless, prudent gentlemen should also adhere to time-honored safety measures to bolster their defenses whilst browsing. The following precautions are hereby presented for your perusal:Arm thyself with antivirus software: An indispensable shield against the ungentlemanly advances of cyber rogues. Keep abreast of updates, for an antiquated version shall prove feeble against the latest cyberthreats.Employ an alias email: Eschew your genuine electronic address and adopt a pseudonymous one, perhaps of the encrypted variety, e.g., ProtonMail.Maintain the secrecy of your identity: Abstain from revealing your true visage, telephonic digits, or appellation.Transact in bitcoin: Forsake the conventional plastic card and embrace this cloak of financial anonymity.Patronize only reputable establishments: Perform due diligence before engaging in any commercial transactions.Terminate nonessential applications and services: Extinguish the prying eyes that may lurk within your cloud services, banking apps, or streaming platforms.Conceal your whereabouts: Deactivate any GPS or location services.Refrain from installing add-ons: Tor shall automatically block certain plug-ins, but one must remain vigilant against browser fingerprinting.Deactivate JavaScript on your Tor browser: Lest you fall victim to the tracking schemes of unscrupulous hackers.Resist resizing your Tor window: Another pitfall in the realm of browser fingerprinting.Shield your camera and microphone: A simple piece of opaque tape shall suffice to thwart the nefarious plans of cyber villains.Investigate your destinations: Prior research shall ensure a safe sojourn through the dark web's labyrinthine passages.Exercise restraint and discretion: Avoid clicking on dubious pop-ups, advertisements, or requests.Disconnect before perusing downloaded documents: This simple precaution shall prevent the unintended exposure of your true IP address.Utilize a security-centric operating system: Tails is a sterling example, ideally run from a removable drive, to confound any attempts at identification on the Tor network.
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