How to Stay Safe While Browsing the Dark Web

Modern search engines index billions of results and work to bring users relevant results to what they searched. But what about the sites, the documents — even the programs — that Google, Yahoo, and Bing don’t index? The collection of sites and documents that go unindexed is known as the “deep web.” In contrast, the sites we visit every day through popular search engines belong to the “clear net.” There’s a lot of confusion regarding the deep web’s existence—many confuse the deep web with the dark web, a hidden, more sinister version of the deep web.

Like the contents belonging to the deep web, sites, and programs in the dark web are left out of search engines’ indexing. So what separates the deep web from the dark web? Well, the dark web is known for its crime. Of course, not everything on the dark web is crime-related. The anonymity of the dark web means users can visit it and not worry about public scrutiny or tracking. However, said anonymity means criminals prefer the dark for running storefronts, selling illegal products, and spreading illicit software.

The Dangers Lurking on the Dark Web

Malware

Due to the dark web being unregulated, there’s no limiting the damage hackers, and cybercriminals can do. In other words, take one wrong step, click on one wrong link, and you may infect your device with a dangerous case of malware. From keyloggers to adware to spyware to viruses, there’s no telling what’s waiting in the dark web, ready to infect users. Keep this in mind when traversing down into the depths of the dark web.

 
Illegal Storefronts
 

The Internet offers worldwide communication, limited only by the user’s connection. For this very reason, it’s easy to see why criminals would take advantage of this limitless communication to sell illegal products and services. Gun shops, drug fronts, money laundering schemes, storefronts offering stolen user account information: these are only a few of the illegal buying and selling that happens on the dark web.

 
Scams
 

While the clear net contains plenty of scams to trick naïve and inexperienced users, the dark web contains even more! It’s not uncommon for users to come across scams and fake advertisements during their time on the dark web. A common scam—both in urban myth and reality—are websites advertising hitman/assassination services. These are scams and are attempts to get thousands of dollars out of users.

Staying Safe Against These Dangers

Using Modern Security Tools
 

Developers work day and night to bring users guaranteed security and protection, and you’ll need this protection before heading down into the dark web. There’s no telling what dangers you’ll stumble upon when exploring the dark web, and many of these dangers may make their way onto their device without you knowing. An
anti-virus for quick detection and removal of malware is a good first stop. You’ll also want a VPN. What a VPN does is grant users anonymity by hiding their IP addresses and masking their activity, making it safe to peruse the dark web.

 
Limiting Your Activity Online
 

Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way: this tip is not here to tell you to spend less time on the Internet. However, it is here to tell you not to share so much personal information online. Talking to strangers, using your real persona for social media and accounts, using online banking for most purchases: none of this sounds terrible on paper, but all of these actions make you and your privacy vulnerable.

 
Practicing Proper Cybersecurity Etiquette
 

Overall, proper cybersecurity etiquette will enable you to stay safe while on the dark web. Besides the tips already mentioned, things like using up-to-date security software like the Tor Browser, using a virtual machine to reduce the risk of device infection, and researching the links you’re visiting will make your dark web trip a safe one.

Conclusion

The dark side of the internet tends to be associated with the digital black market. From all kind of stolen materials, the common internet users search for purchasing subscription credentials at a cheaper price. Sometimes, the process of selling is not closest to immoral but they are grey for complex laws. Few of the sites of the dark web contains valuable information which helps to increase the security of our servers and devices. So, there are legit reasons for surfing the dark web. But, the dark web by nature is not free of risks. Hence it is important to follow the precautions to secure own computer and personal details while browsing the dark web.