How to access darkweb

So you want to browse the darkweb on your own and don't know where to start or what to do? Well, this is the right place for you. On this page, I'll show you step-by-step how to access the dark web and what you should do to stay safe.

Step 1: Acquire Tor browser

In most countries, this is relatively straightforward process. You simply type into Google search 'tor download' or you can use this link, which will send you to Tor project page, where you can simply download Tor for your OS and then install it, you know the drill.

However, some countries, like China, are blocking this page. When you want to install Tor on your computer in countries that censor Tor website, you have three options:

1. Get it from a friend, who can give you the install file on USB
2. Try looking for a Tor mirrors page and see if any of the copies of Tor website works in your country
3. Download Tor via e-mail. To do this, you must send an e-mail to 'gettor@torproject.org' and write in the body of the message 'windows', 'osx' or 'linux', depending on your OS. You should receive a reply with links to Dropbox or something similar where you can download Tor. If you send a blank message or anything different from the 3 words mentioned, you will receive a help message with detailed instructions.

Step 1a (optional): Tor Bridges and pluggable transports

If you're living in a state with internet censorship, you need to configure your Tor browser to use bridges. Bridges are secret Tor relays that don't appear on any public list, so the censor doesn't know which addresses should be blocked. Pluggable transports are protocols used to disguise Tor to make it look like something else. Here is what you should do:

When you're starting Tor for the first time, click Configure

Select the checkbox Tor is censored in my country

Choose Request a bridge from torproject.org and click on Request a bridge

Complete a captcha and click Submit to save your settings

If you already have your Tor running, you can find the settings under Options menu, where you click on Tor, like on those screenshots:

Step 2 (optional): Consider buying a VPN client

If you are in a country where you can use VPN, you should definitely consider buying it. Together with Tor they create quite a strong combo (this is called Tor over VPN - you are connecting to internet through Tor). However, this requires a skilled user, since Tor and VPN needs to be configured to work together.

Step 3: Stay safe aka Basic rules

There are some things that you definitely shouldn't do while using Tor / browsing darkweb:

• Visit only websites that use HTTPS protocol - it will create an encrypted link from final Tor node to your destination server
• Don't maximize Tor browser window - websites could determine the size of your device's screen, this can narrow down which device are you using and will help tracking your activity
• Don't open documents downloaded through Tor while you are online - the documents may contain protocols that would reveal your address, if you want to view said documents, you should disconnect your device from the internet
• Never use Tor to torrent - it will send out your IP address in the tracker GET request, and also slow down the entire Tor network
• Most important - be EXTREMELY careful - never click on any ads on darkweb (yes, there are ads on darkweb) and inspect every darkweb link before you enter the page

Step 4: Search engines

Now that you're on darkweb, it's time to actually start browsing. But where should you start? There's no such a thing as Google. In the darkweb chapter, I mentioned a couple of darkweb search engines. So, there you have the address! Just remember, searching through them is nowhere near as effective as searching on Google on surface web. Also, for your own sake, be careful what you're searching! You can find some highly illegal stuff on darkweb.

Just a friendly warning...

Ahmia: msydqstlz2kzerdg.onion (right now probably the best darkweb search engine - in the way that it can find even the darkest things...)

Torch: xmh57jrknzkhv6y3ls3ubitzfqnkrwxhopf5aygthi7d6rplyvk3noyd.onion (be very careful with the ads displayed here)

Not Evil: hss3uro2hsxfogfq.onion

Onion Land: 3bbad7fauom4d6sgppalyqddsqbf5u5p56b5k5uk2zxsy3d6ey2jobad.onion

Step 5: Forbidden pages

In the last part of this tutorial, I will show you how to access pages that are banned in some countries, for whatever reason. I will show this on 2 examples: Facebook and WikiLeaks.

How to access Facebook

If you're living in a country that blocks Facebook, you have 3 main options how to access it:

1. VPN (just make sure that your VPN client is not blocked in your country, this is usually problem with more renowned VPN providers)
2. Proxy servers
3. Tor

Since this is guide how to browse darkweb, I'll show you how to access Facebook through Tor. It's actually pretty simple, since Facebook has its own Tor link:

facebookcorewwwi.onion

When you log in, you should disable HTML5 canvas when Tor gives you notification, since it could potentially blow your cover.

How to access WikiLeaks

I'm sure I don't have to tell you what WikiLeaks is. So, very shortly, it's a non-profit organisation that publishes classified documents, and is therefore a thorn in the heel for pretty much every single government on the planet.

You can access WikiLeaks through any normal internet browser, but if you want to share a document here, you must use Tor, so the document will be encrypted while uploading. If you want to upload something on WikiLeaks, use this link:

rpzgejae7cxxst5vysqsijblti4duzn3kjsmn43ddi2l3jblhk4a44id.onion