How to Access the Deep Web

In this article, Mytour will walk you through the process of accessing deep web data – information that traditional search engines like Google or Bing cannot retrieve. The article also discusses accessing the dark web, a more hidden and controversial section of the deep web.

Understand what deep web data really is. This refers to all online data that search engines do not index (such as Google). In other words, instead of finding it quickly through a search engine, you can only access this information by opening and searching within its original source.

• Common examples of the deep web include archived university library data, search results in travel pages, etc.
• Deep web data is typically legal and often links to reputable sources such as reference materials and well-known libraries.
• The deep web is completely different from the dark web: the dark web is often used for illegal activities or anonymous actions.

Understand how search engines work. When you search for a term or phrase on a search engine like Google, it 'crawls' the web to find results on the surface web.

• Since deep web content never appears on the surface web, you won’t find this information using traditional search engines.

Use Firefox. To stay secure, you should use Firefox to avoid having your browsing history tracked. Not only does it prevent search history from affecting your access to deep web data, but unlike other browsers, Firefox also offers a higher level of privacy.

• Regardless of the browser you use, your internet service provider can still monitor your browsing activity whenever they want.

Use specialized search engines. Many websites come with their own search tools: you’ll need to use these to find results not listed on the surface web.

• One example is Facebook’s built-in search engine. You can use Facebook’s search bar to find users, pages, or other content that you can’t locate with Google or similar platforms.
• Additionally, search bars on archives or academic research websites are often the only way to find these resources. You generally won't locate these materials without using the corresponding search tools.

Try using DuckDuckGo. DuckDuckGo, the personal search engine available at https://duckduckgo.com/, indexes both surface web results and deep web content. While this ability is limited, sometimes it can help you find deep web results.

• The main disadvantage of using DuckDuckGo is that surface web results, which are more common, often appear instead of less-known deep web results.
• You can find deep web results via DuckDuckGo by browsing through the last pages of the results.

Identify specialized databases. To find a specific type of database (such as a journalism database), you can do the following:

• Go to http://www.searchengineguide.com/searchengines.html
• Select the search engine category (e.g., Architecture).
• Pick the subcategory if prompted.
• Select the database from the list of results.

Browse the deep web if you wish. As mentioned, it's very difficult to get into trouble on the deep web due to its true nature. Just follow basic internet safety rules (such as not sharing personal information, not downloading unreliable files, etc.), and you should be fine.

Understand what the dark web is. The dark web is a section of the deep web that you cannot access without special links and software. Unlike most deep web data, information found on the dark web often contains broken links, defunct websites, and other useless content.

• The dark web is often used to provide anonymity for journalists, politically dissident individuals, confidential sources, or similar groups.

Understand the risks. Although the dark web is mostly harmless if you’re not actively seeking trouble, its primary use is often linked to illegal activities. On the other hand, its legitimate side is fairly dull.

• Specifically, if you don’t intend to visit illegal sites, you’ll encounter many broken links, which can slow down loading times.
• If you’re actively trying to access illegal content, you're more likely to be caught rather than finding what you're looking for.
• Though most of the horror stories about the dark web are just that—stories—you should still avoid interacting with anyone or downloading anything from the dark web.

Avoid using Windows to access the dark web. Although safer than previous versions, Windows 10 still has security vulnerabilities and is highly susceptible to hacking or virus attacks while browsing the dark web.

• If you plan to access the dark web, Linux is the recommended operating system, with Ubuntu Linux being a popular (and free) choice.
• If you use a Mac, you should be fine as long as you use a VPN and Tor.

Take basic protective steps before accessing the dark web. To avoid unpleasant encounters on the dark web, you should follow a few basic precautions:

• Cover your computer's webcam.
• Protect your internet connection with a password if you haven't done so already.

Use a VPN. Before downloading Tor (if applicable) or accessing the dark web, you must install and enable a Virtual Private Network (VPN). NordVPN and ExpressVPN are two popular options. However, you can choose any VPN that offers the following features:

• Emergency kill switch in case the VPN connection drops
• Fast loading times
• Protection against DNS and IP leaks
• Ability to connect via servers in other countries

Ensure your VPN is activated and connected to a different country. This VPN will mask your IP address from anyone trying to locate you: you'll be safer as the IP address they might see will be routed through another country.

Download and install Tor. You can find Tor, the browser used to access the dark web, at https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en.

• You need Tor to open websites with the ".onion" domain – many dark web sites have this extension.

Close all open browser windows. This ensures that no public information from your previous browsing session is available when you connect to Tor.

Connect to Tor. Once your VPN is enabled and all browser windows are closed, open Tor and click Connect. The Tor homepage will appear.

• Tor advises against maximizing the Tor window, as doing so may allow some programs to track you based on your screen resolution.

Adjust your Tor security settings. On the Tor homepage, click the onion icon at the top left and move the slider to the highest setting. This will prevent tracking programs and other browser surveillance methods from loading.

Open a dark web search engine. Some popular (and relatively safe) options include:

• Torch – A search engine commonly used for over a million indexed hidden pages. You can access it at http://xmh57jrzrnw6insl.onion%20/
• DuckDuckGo – Allows you to search both the surface web and the dark web. Visit https://duckduckgo.com/
• notEvil – Has a Google-like interface and blocks ads. Visit http://hss3uro2hsxfogfq.onion%20/
• WWW Virtual Library – The oldest search engine still in operation, containing historical documents and academic information. Access it at http://vlib.org/
• Avoid Hidden Wiki and Onion URL Repository when browsing the dark web: both are search engines that link to illegal and suspicious content.

Browse the dark web. With your chosen search engine, you can explore the dark web if desired. Just remember to avoid suspicious links or websites, and never download or open files found on the dark web.

• You can configure Tor to use a specific country as an entry and/or exit point.
• In the end, the dark web is not as thrilling as it is often portrayed in pop music. However, it is an excellent resource for academic articles, research projects, and specialized information that may not be found through traditional search results.
• Much of the dark web is used to store raw research data and other types of information that could be of interest to you.
• The internet can be divided into three main layers: the surface web (about 4 percent), the deep web (about 90 percent), and the dark web (about 6 percent).

• Never download files or accept chat invitations while on the dark web. Sharing resources via peer-to-peer networks on the dark web is a very bad idea.
• Most of the illegal content on the dark web revolves around human trafficking, drugs, arms dealing, etc. Do not search for or click on links that suggest or involve these topics.