Developed under the aegis of the non-profit Tor project, with sponsorship from the U.S. government and various organizations. Antivirus is a great way to stay protected while using the Tor browser or the dark web. It will protect you from malware often littered across those harmful dark web pages. Therefore, we recommend using a reliable, premium, subscription-based antivirus.
Choose Secure Tools And Maintain Anonymity
Then the Tor anonymity network relays further obfuscate your true location, as the browser relays your browser traffic through several relay locations. Tor Over VPN is when you first connect your computer or mobile device to your VPN service and then use the Tor Browser to travel the internet. A secure VPN server slows down your browsing much less than the Tor Browser and also opens access to geo-blocked local content around the globe. This makes it a great option for watching videos from streaming services that are available only in other regions of the world. While the Tor Browser hides your online browsing, it only hides your online activity through the Tor Browser.
Should I Use The Tor Browser For Everything?
You don’t need special tools or a special browser like you need to access the dark web (more about that later). Anyone can access the deep web by using specialized search engines, dedicated web directories, and other sources that can help you find the data or information. Yes, darknet browsers like Tor facilitate access to regular internet sites. Nevertheless, due to IP masking, users may appear to connect from a different location, potentially leading to some sites attempting to block Tor users, limiting access.
Can A VPN Boost Your Internet Speed? Here’s
But now, with the Average Joe being the normal browsing customer of these black market shopping carts, the curve is returning back to closed source. Turnkey web scanner and exploitation kits, botnet time-sharing, and malware generators are nothing new; the ability to sell your warez easily because no one has to run gcc is obvious. I’ve downloaded several TOR browsers and free VPN apps, and by far this combined all-in-one service by OrNET is the best I’ve found. The only issue is that you can’t select a specific server location for VPN (I prefer to use ones outside my home country) unless you use the paid service. I had the paid service for a while previously but let it expire as I wasn’t browsing as much for a while, but I need to set it up again. In the browser settings menu, right at the there is a prominent and easy toggle off/on button for Java Script when you need to disable that for Security (very intuitive design).

VPNs For Netflix That Actually Work: Unlock Any Series
The dark web goes deeper, requiring special browsers and configurations to access hidden sites and services. Our app connects you directly to this space, empowering private communication and exploration without third-party interference. I wouldn’t recommend using this app unless you have to, and if you do specifically typing in a site url is much safer than simply hitting the search bar.

Can I Access The Dark Web Without Tor?

The users only have access to a fraction of the available data and web pages. Damir is the team leader, product manager, and editor at Metaverse Post, covering topics such as AI/ML, AGI, LLMs, Metaverse, and Web3-related fields. His articles attract a massive audience of over a million users every month. He appears to be an expert with 10 years of experience in SEO and digital marketing.
We’re a nonprofit organization and rely on supporters like you to help us keep Tor robust and secure for millions of people worldwide. Tor Browser already comes with HTTPS-Only mode, NoScript, and other patches to protect your privacy and security. For several years, Yahoo was at the apex as the internet’s best web service provider, offering… Using a VPN with Tor (commonly referred to as “Tor over VPN” or Onion over VPN”) adds an essential layer of protection. It hides the use of Tor from your ISP and protects you if your Tor connection is compromised in some way. Using a dark web-specific browser such as Tor or I2P itself is legal in virtually all countries.
Dark Web – Your Private And Fast Web Browser
When it comes to accessing the dark web (and safely), selecting a good dark web browser is critical. We recommend that you use only the Tor browser to access the deep, dark web, if you must. If you fancy exploration, we’ve listed nine other options as well. Although it requires more work, it provides tech-savvy users with a more familiar interface with better security for accessing Tor through a proxy. Tor Browser has an official Android app if you want to use it on mobile. For iOS users, while there’s no official Tor app for iOS, a couple of options, including Orbot and Onion Browser, recommended by the Tor Project itself, exist.
Safe And Secure Dark Web Access

The tutorial shows how to toggle light and dark mode in different Outlook applications, and how to keep a white reading pane in black theme. Download our free MakeUseOf deep and dark web PDF guide, and check out the best dark web websites. If you use Tor to access censored data or to avoid an oppressive government, then yes, definitely use a VPN in addition to Tor.
Best Browsers And Tools For Dark Web Access (Updated
Don’t be fooled into going to a malicious clone site that is designed to extract your information. Downloaded files could have malware in them that may be designed to de-anonymize you or infect your device. If you must download something from the dark web, only download files and run them using a completely isolated virtual machine. Understanding and knowing how to safely access this part of the internet is an important digital skill for today’s era. Brave is a browser based on Chromium that, by default, blocks ads and website tracking. This creates a faster and privacy-focused browsing experience without any configuration.
Hidden Wiki is a directory of the various dark web links, with detailed explanations of where each link takes you. When you see a suspicious link, especially one containing seemingly random characters and numbers that cannot be resolved using public DNS, steer clear. These links containing said random characters and numbers are hard to verify as legitimate or safe. While this should go without saying, many links pose as legitimate, and you may unknowingly click and invite harm to yourself. And since the dark web lacks any real regulation or indexing like the regular web, there is no telling who or what might be waiting in the shadows.
- The Tor Project recognized that mobile browsing is not only on the rise, but in some parts of the world, it’s the only way to get online.
- The Tor Project also offers the Tails operating system for users who prefer a complete privacy solution for accessing the dark web safely.
- In the early stages, this dark web is used only for a constructive purpose, but today most of the cyber crimes take place in that space silently unknown to the external world.
- As I mentioned previously, using the Tor Browser will slow down your browsing.
- Trust your instincts and exercise caution when interacting with Dark Web websites and content.
- When you install a VPN, all of your activities on the dark web will be hidden from unwanted snoops from your ISP or the FBI.
Hashcast Top Features
It is a mobile application that uses your Android or iOS device’s VPN mode to route all traffic through the Tor network. Despite its benefits for privacy and anonymity, accessing the dark web in 2025 still carries significant risks. Users need to clearly understand these threats and proactively implement strong security practices. This section outlines the main risks you’ll encounter, along with actionable advice to minimize and manage these dangers effectively. By integrating these tools with secure browsers, users can confidently navigate the dark web while maximizing security, anonymity, and digital privacy in 2025.