I’ve Just Discovered That A Young Person Is Using Tor What Should I Do?
Understanding the Dark Web
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also serves as a platform for privacy and anonymity for users worldwide.
The surface web is what most of us access in our regular, day-to-day activity. It is available to the general public using standard search engines. The shopping sites, social media platforms, streaming services, news organizations and other websites people commonly visit are on the surface web. It can be accessed using standard web browsers that do not require any special configuration, such as Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. The surface web seems vast, but it is in fact just about 4% of the overall web. Millions of regular internet users access private databases such as email inboxes and credit card accounts daily.
Then there’s the dark web, which is the part of the deep web that hides your identity and location. In 2015, the founder of a website called the Silk Road was sentenced to life in prison. Government agencies and contractors can employ services like Peraton’s TORNADO to frequently check the dark web to understand if people are talking about them and what they are saying. TORNADO automatically and anonymously combs through the entire dark web every 30 days based on specific keywords that help identify information that may pose potential harm. Exploiting open source intelligence provides situational awareness. Connecting to the Tor network can take a few minutes since the Tor browser needs to set up a secure connection to the network.
Visitors to the dark web should exercise extreme caution when downloading files, as they may infect your devices with viruses, malware, trojans, ransomware or other malicious files. At a minimum, users should ensure that their cybersecurity defenses are activated and up-to-date. Users of the dark web should also realize that although their activity is technically anonymous, associating with people who are conducting illegal activities can have legal implications. At its core, much of the activity on the dark web focuses on discussion forums, chat rooms, and news aggregators accessed only via Tor and thus hidden from traditional Internet search engines.
Criminal and antisocial behaviour appear to account for the majority of dark web activity. This reality has led to an ongoing debate about whether the dark web should exist. Detractors argue that online anonymity encourages criminality and impedes law enforcement.
However, in practice, security flaws in Tor and incorrect server configurations can expose this information to those interested in accessing it. While the content on the dark web has the potential to be more dangerous, this content is usually walled off from regular users. However, it is entirely possible for regular users to accidentally come across harmful content while browsing the deep web, which is much more easily accessible. This makes deep web security important for individuals and enterprises alike.
The dark web’s websites and data are frequently only accessible with a specialized application like the Tor browser. It forms a subset of the Deep web – all content on the web which is not indexed by search engines. To your surprise, you don’t need any special tools or a darknet browser to access the deep web; you just need to know where to look.
How Do People Access the Dark Web?
Accessing the dark web requires specific tools and knowledge. Here are some steps individuals commonly follow to reach this hidden segment of the internet:
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Download a Specialized Browser
To access dark web websites, users need a unique browser called the Tor Browser. This browser allows users to navigate the dark web while maintaining anonymity.
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Install VPN Software
Many users opt to use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in conjunction with the Tor Browser. A VPN provides an extra layer of security by encrypting internet traffic.
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Find Dark Web Links
Unlike the surface web, which is filled with easily accessible links, the dark web requires specific URLs, typically ending with .onion. Users can find these links through forums or specialized websites.
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Navigate with Caution
Once on the dark web, users should avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading files, as these actions may lead to security risks or illegal content.
Common Uses of the Dark Web
The dark web serves various purposes beyond illegal activities. Some common uses include:
- Privacy Protection: Users who prioritize their anonymity can communicate without the fear of surveillance.
- Whistleblowing: Individuals can share sensitive information without revealing their identities.
- Access to Restricted Information: People in oppressive regimes may access uncensored news and information.
- Cryptocurrency Transactions: Many transactions on the dark web occur using cryptocurrencies, further enhancing user privacy.
FAQs About Accessing the Dark Web
1. Is accessing the dark web illegal?
Accessing the dark web itself is not illegal, but engaging in illegal activities on it is against the law.
2. Can you get caught using the dark web?
While the Tor network significantly enhances privacy, users can still be identified by law enforcement through various methods, such as monitoring behavior or IP address leaks.
3. Do I need special skills to access the dark web?
No special skills are required to access the dark web, but users should have a basic understanding of internet privacy practices.
- Illegal cyber activity cannot necessarily be stumbled upon easily but tends to be much more extreme and threatening if you do seek it out.
- The websites around the TOR network are known as TOR services or hidden services.
- Dark Web visitors do not use the public DNS to resolve .onion names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses – instead, resolution occurs using the entirely separate Tor hidden service protocol.
- Some of the more famous Tor websites are about exploring tunnels in American universities.
4. What are the risks of accessing the dark web?
Risks include exposure to illegal content, potential scams, and malware. Therefore, users should exercise caution and use protective measures.
Conclusion
Accessing the dark web is straightforward but comes with potential risks. Understanding how to navigate this hidden part of the internet safely allows for it to be a resource for privacy, free speech, and access to restricted information.
