Summary of DuckDuckGo
- Is visiting Tor illegal?
- Is the deep web accessible?
- What Browser is used to access the deep web?
- Where can you see the dark web?
Search Results
AI Overview
AI Overview
“Deep web” content is typically accessed using standard web browsers and involves everyday sites that require a login or other credentials, such as online banking or email
. In contrast, the “dark web,” a small subset of the deep web, requires specific software, like the Tor Browser, to access intentionally hidden content.
Accessing the Deep Web
You likely access the deep web daily without any special software. Content on the deep web is simply not indexed by standard search engines like Google or Bing because it is behind a paywall, requires a login, or is part of a private database or intranet.
Examples of legitimate deep web content include:
Email accounts
Online banking and financial portals
Medical records databases
Academic journals and databases (e.g., JSTOR)
Subscription services (e.g., streaming sites like Netflix)
Private corporate networks/intranets
To access the deep web, you just need the correct URL and the appropriate login credentials.
Accessing the Dark Web
Accessing the dark web is different and requires specific tools and precautions due to its focus on anonymity and the higher prevalence of risky or illegal content. While accessing the dark web is not illegal in most places, engaging in illegal activities while there is.
Here are the general steps to access the dark web safely:
Understand your goal: Go in with a specific, legal purpose to avoid wandering into dangerous or illegal areas.
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): A reputable VPN adds an extra layer of security and anonymity by encrypting your traffic and masking your IP address before you connect to the dark web network.
Download the Tor Browser: The Tor (The Onion Router) browser is specifically designed to access dark web sites, which end in the .onion domain suffix. Tor routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-run servers to anonymize your activity. You can download it from the Tor Project website.
Use a secure search engine/directory: Once in Tor, use a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo (Tor’s default) or a reliable directory like Ahmia.fi to find functional .onion links.
Take extra precautions:
Avoid clicking on unknown or suspicious links.
Do not share personal information.
Disable JavaScript in the Tor settings for added safety.
Be cautious of downloads, as they may contain malware.
How to Access the Dark Web Safely – DOT Security
What Is The Deep Web? The deep web is in between the surface web and the dark web, and it constitutes the large majority of the ac…
DOT Security
Deep Web vs Dark Web: Key Differences – SentinelOne
For example, every academic institution holds valuable resources within its online libraries that are important to its students an…
SentinelOne
Deep Web Meaning & Definition – Brave
What is the Deep Web? The Deep Web is the portion of the Internet not indexed by traditional search engines. It often requires a l…
Brave
Show all
Show more
Switch to DuckDuckGo. It’s private and free!
-
Add our free extension to block web trackers.
-
Best Privacy
Download Browser
Get our free browser for even more privacy.
- Set As Default Search
Make DuckDuckGo your default search engine.
-
Best Privacy
Download Browser
Get our free browser for even more privacy.
- Set As Default Search
Make DuckDuckGo your default search engine.
-
Add our free extension to block web trackers.
- Set As Default Search
Make DuckDuckGo your default search engine.