How to Get on the Black Market on Your Phone
Even if you use the internet on a daily basis – writing emails and styling with your YouTube skills – there may still be uncharted lands on your Internet map. What if I told you that you can only see a fraction of the things the Internet has to offer?
Beneath the surface, there is a much deeper layer that is inaccessible via your common browser – the dark web and deep web. But accessing this part of the net is not very safe unless you take certain precautions. So make yourself comfortable in your seat and learn how you can safely access the Dark and Deep web.
How to access the Dark web safely
- Download a reputable VPN and set it up on your device. We recommend NordVPN, now 72% OFF!
- Register to get your account
- Connect to a server of your choice
- When you connect, your traffic will be redirected and encrypted, providing a much safer browsing experience.
Guide: How to access the Deep and the Dark web safely
Your connection with Tor passes through three publicly hosted nodes chosen randomly before reaching the intended website. However, many users prefer to opt for additional measures to go the extra mile when it comes to privacy.
There are many options to pick from: for an additional privacy-minded OS like Tails (or The Amnesic Incognito Live System), burner laptops, etc. However, for this guide, I picked a VPN with a standard Tor configuration, which should provide enough safety and be easy to set up for most users.
#1 Find a reliable VPN service provider
Before you descend into the darkest corners of the Internet, you should probably get a barrier between yourself and your activities. For that, you could use a VPN service that encrypts your data and hides your identity. There are many VPN service providers, so pick whichever you find the most trustworthy.
Sending private email means hiding your real IP address and using a secure email service provider. Most popular email platforms like Google or Yahoo are excellent in their simplicity and storage but are lacking in the privacy department.
#2 Set up your account
You have the option to choose between paid and free VPN providers. Free ones are generally not the best contenders. Some tend to sell off your data. So, you should stick to premium paid VPN providers for the best experience. You can make the transaction more anonymous with cryptocurrencies and providing as few ties to your identity as possible.
#3 Set up your VPN client
You'll need to follow your provider's instructions to set up the client on your device. This means installing the software and enabling features like the kill switch that will help you keep your privacy safe. You should also test if it works by going to a website like whatismyipaddress.com and checking if it's displaying the VPN's IP address.
#4 Pick one of the available overlay networks
If you have your VPN up and running, you can start looking at the overlay networks. Their clients and configurations may differ, but some can be used interchangeably. For example, you can use Freenet inside Tor. Of course, that opens a lot of additional security issues that you might want to avoid. So, you should stick with one, Tor is the most popular and should be the easiest one to pick up.
#5 Set up your overlay network client
Once you've installed Tor (or any other overlay network), you should tweak the default settings. For example, the first thing you should do is set the security slider to High. This setting completely disables javascript, which is a vulnerability through which malicious code is often injected. This loophole could reveal your identity.
Disable iframes, these are used to insert links within links. So, as you've probably guessed, they can be used to display content that you don't want to see or guide you to malware.
Finally, disable referrers, these tell which website you came from and give more data that can be used to narrow down who the potential user could be. Naturally, you should want to keep this information as minimal as possible.
#6 Find a website and connect
Rather than relying on search engines, you'll have to visit darknet website aggregators and wikis to find links for actual websites. Of course, if you want to feel how it all works, you can try out darknet versions of legit websites. For example, you can read Onion-specific The New York Times here: https://nytimes3xbfgragh.onion.
The best VPNs for the Dark web
I've selected several most reliable VPNs that should provide suitable privacy and anonymity when browsing the Dark web. Connect to a VPN, then enter Tor browser, and you'll have several layers worth of barriers between your IP and the Dark Web.
NordVPN
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 5,500+ servers in 59 countries |
| Unblocks Netflix: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Now 72% OFF + 3 Months FREE! |
Visit NordVPN
This service is actually a part of a larger family of cybersecurity products. Although VPN is just one of them, it's their oldest product. It has advanced safety measures like next-gen tunneling protocol NordLynx, which is much faster when compared to the likes of OpenVPN-family speeds. Dark web webpages are notoriously slow to load. Every second you can shave off with your VPN connection is a second gained.
For more NordVPN features, see our NordVPN review.
Surfshark
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers/countries: | 3,200+ servers in 65 countries |
| Unblocks Netflix: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get Surfshark, now 81% OFF! |
Visit Surfshark VPN
This service is more recent, so it's not as widely known. However, the main thing that makes it impressive is its low price. It's currently one of the cheapest VPNs, so you could save a lot of your hard-earned money and get good security and anonymity measures.
For more information, read our Surfshark VPN review.
Mullvad VPN
| Based in: | Sweden |
| Servers/countries: | 770 servers in 37 countries |
| Unblocks Netflix: | No |
Mullvad VPN is one of the most respected VPN services and will keep you absolutely anonymous. They accept payments with cryptocurrencies and even cash. If you're very privacy-conscious, you can send a registered letter to pay for your subscription, keeping this transaction totally off the books. Even when registering, you're given only a code for identification.
Read more: Mullvad VPN review
What is the Deep web?
The Deep Web is the part of the Internet that hasn't been indexed by search engines and requires some special access method. In this sense, it's different from the surface web, which is indexed by Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo, and requires only a common web browser.
Many surface websites also have pages that also fall into the Deep Web category. They cannot be indexed, as these websites require to log in or some other accessing conditions. This includes personal banking pages, private message boards, etc. That is why you cannot google someone's social security number. However, it exists on government databases connected to the Internet.
Although many media outlets would love to spin the tales of its dangers, the Deep Web is quite harmless. These are just pages hidden behind common HTTP forms used all over the Internet.
Both of these layers are not independent from each other. The surface web goes hand in hand with Deep web. The same websites usually have both layers. For example, Netflix.com belongs to a Surface web. However, your personalized front page with particular suggestions based on your preferences lies in the Deep web.
What is the Dark Web?
The Dark Web is a separate layer of the Internet that is not only not indexed but also requires special software to access. Usually, the domain structure is unique. You'll need some tool like Tor browser that allows you to connect and makes your session anonymous.
As a consequence, these privacy benefits attract a mixed crowd. You've probably heard about the shady marketplaces known as darknet markets. Despite this, many activists use them for privacy and as a source to voice their opinion freely.
There are several Deep web networks, each requiring a different setup, but Tor is the most popular. You may also encounter Freenet, I2P, ZeroNet, and Riffle, they're used for similar purposes. No one knows the actual size of the dark web, but it's estimated that it constitutes a fraction of the total number of Internet sites.
How to find websites on the dark web?
Since the pages are unindexed, you can't type in your query in the Dark Web Google. It doesn't exist.
Most users rely on various public Wikis, where the community manually adds links to websites with descriptions that might be worth your time. Usually, that's the best way to find dark web sites but think twice before you click on anything.
How to browse Deep and Dark Web safely?
Suppose you're just browsing without plans to buy or download anything. In that case, the associated risks are about the same as with the normal web. If you act careless online, you're risking getting in trouble. With the Dark web, stakes could be slightly higher because finding illegal stuff is relatively easy. A couple of clicks and you could realistically face jail time for purchasing drugs. Several Dark web websites list the stories of sellers and buyers who got caught. So, your best bet if you don't want to end up in this list of shame is to steer clear of the sketchy stuff.
It applies not only to police surveillance. The Dark web is filled with gruesome videos and other disturbing things. So, you should always be cautious when clicking a link. Generally, if you're not sure what you'll find – don't click. Your stomach and mental state will thank you later.
Here are some general usage tips to keep your Dark web journeys as safe as possible.
Rule #1 – Don't reveal your real identity
No VPN in the world will protect you if you overshare your details. If someone is asking your address to send a free sample, asks for your bank account details, they probably shouldn't be asking, and you probably shouldn't be sharing.
Rule #2 – Treat every website as a phishing website until proven otherwise.
Dark web as a term is now in the public domain. So, naturally, curious individuals will be going there to look at all those drugs and weapons being sold. However, this is also an opportunity for scammers to trick them into phishing websites. So, treat every website as a phishing website, and give them neither bitcoins nor your banking information.
Rule #3 – Go to the Dark web just for the Dark web
Tor will not substitute your regular browser. If you're logging into your personal Facebook and then visiting shady marketplaces, it becomes too easy to link these two identities together. So, just keep these activities separate.
Is the Dark web illegal?
The Dark Web is legal because the Internet is legal: exchange of connections isn't a crime. The Dark Web's main problem arises from the anonymity and prevalence of darknet markets where you can find anything from snuff films, drugs, or contract killers.
Law enforcement is continually trying to crack down on markets for these activities. Still, since these networks are built around the user's privacy, this isn't as easy as it would seem. Some arrests here and there pop up when the police are trying to apprehend sellers or buyers.
However, this does not mean that you should expect police at your door if you've installed Tor. There are plenty of open forums, anonymous social media sites like BlackBook. You can visit the Tor version of WikiLeaks if the regular version is unavailable in your country. So, it has many uses, the technology itself isn't illegal, just don't buy anything when you're there.
FAQ
Is the Dark web safe?
Accessing the content on the Dark web is relatively safe. Same as using a regular browser. Where the danger comes in is when you buy from illegal marketplaces or download files. While downloads may contain malware or keyloggers, the police can trace illegal purchases and get you in trouble.
Can I use the Dark web on my phone?
You can use Tor on your mobile phone. However, it does not mean that you should. Mobile users (particularly Android) are not on the top of the pyramid when it comes to security.
What is sold on the Dark web?
The Dark web has many marketplaces or darknets. There, you can find pretty much everything you would find on the black market. It includes, but is not limited to, drugs, weapons, crimeware, child pornography, torture videos, and so on. Consider yourself warned.
Which is worse, Dark web or Deep web?
Neither is worse. It's just how the media spins stories about the closure of websites like the Silk Road. Dark web networks are just overlay networks that require a particular configuration, while the Deep web requires special permissions. So it's only technology.
Who created the Dark web?
The Dark web is really just a closed off network. The first example of this would be the US government project that split into a military version or MILNET, and ARPANET used by the civilians, which later became the basis of the Internet. From this standpoint, MILNET could be called the first Dark web.
Can I access the Dark web on my phone?
Yes, Android and iOS devices have Tor apps made for mobile devices. They provide the same functionality as their desktop counterparts.
What can you do on the Dark Web?
On the Dark Web, you can browse web pages, like you would the regular Internet. The difference is that you're surfing in a more private and closed-off environment.
More VPN guides from CyberNews:
Best VPNs to Unblock BBC iPlayer: tune in to the best British content from anywhere
How to Change Netflix Region: give a total makeover for your movies and TV shows catalog
How to Unblock Spotify with a VPN: don't stop the music with these simple tools
How to Get on the Black Market on Your Phone
Source: https://cybernews.com/how-to-use-vpn/access-the-dark-web-safely/