The dark web is famous for hiding and facilitating criminal activities such as hacking, drug trafficking and even terrorism. But it's not as scary as you think. The dark web is a subset of the main Internet on networks known as the “darknet” and requires specific software to access.
Just like the regular Internet, you will find both good and bad things on the dark web. If you want to find something illegal, the dark web provides it. But it's also a surefire way to find something new and escape scrutiny. If you're browsing the dark web, here's what you need to be wary of.
1. Do not visit illegal websites on the dark web
First, you need to know what the dark web actually is. It sounds scary and is definitely not something you should actively explore. In fact, it appears to be illegal. But depending on where you live, the dark web may not be illegal.
However, some activities on the dark web are illegal. There's a big difference between accessing the dark web (which is generally legal) and what you access through it (which may be illegal). Many people who use the dark web have bad intentions, so government agencies and secret services monitor what happens there. Illegal activities taking place on the dark web include the sale of drugs, weapons, and information obtained through scams and cyberattacks.
2. You can easily fall into the trap of a scammer
The dark web isn't just useful for cybercriminals trafficking in stolen data. This is also a good way for scammers to target you.
Sites on the dark web don't have the safety features you'll find on the regular web, so you're largely unprotected. Malware is widespread, and browsers won't scan downloads like they would when using a reputable site. A regular antivirus suite is not enough if you are accessing the dark web.
Furthermore, it is recommended to use cryptocurrency when purchasing anything on the dark web, and many sellers do not even accept traditional credit card payments. Cybercriminals also love cryptocurrency because it is virtually untraceable, so you won't be able to get your money back.
3. Don't download Tor from unofficial sources!

The most popular way to access the dark web is through the Tor browser, which is similar to any other browser such as Google Chrome and Firefox, but will allow you to view content that other search engines do not index . Tor is a great way to think about the dark web. It stands for The Onion Router. Tor allows you to peel back the top layers to see the often hidden third layer (the second layer is the deep web, which is different from the dark web).
But scammers know how easy it is to download fake copies of real apps. Fake apps put your data in the hands of scammers, and that's especially troublesome when it comes to fake browsers. Data transmitted through a fraudulent browser mistaken for Tor or a similar option can take over all the data, so everything you type and view is in the hands of hackers.
Make sure you only download anything, including Tor, from official sources.
Lots of people use Tor for harmless reasons – you might even be reading this on Tor right now! – so there are a large number of people who are not interested in illegal activity. Cookies and logs are not kept, so your data remains more private. But dark web browsers don't keep everything safe. First of all, your data is encrypted in transit and is safe in Tor, but the ISP can see your data at entry and exit nodes. That means the ISP can still see you're using, for example, Tor, and websites can still read your IP address. The same goes for your browser.
A virtual private network (VPN) then masks your data with end-to-end encryption, meaning everything is unreadable without the correct decryption key. If you really want to stay anonymous, using a VPN is the way to go.
5. Be careful with the black market on the Dark Web

Anonymity breeds criminal activity and the dark web has some notoriety in this regard. Indeed, the dark web is full of black markets. This is where people look for data collected from ransomware attacks and identity theft, buy illegal goods, finance and promote terrorism, and sell hacking services. Another terrible reality of the dark web is the rise of child pornography.
Make no mistake: The dark web may not be completely illegal, but that doesn't mean it's safe.
6. Do not visit countries with Internet surveillance
Is the dark web itself illegal? This completely depends on the territory. Typically, in countries that monitor online activity, including Russia, China, and Iran, accessing the dark web is illegal.
Why? The Tor browser (and other means of exploring the dark web) use encryption, so any place that prohibits the use of VPNs, for example, also prohibits citizens from using other means to anonymize their activities. Surname.
For example, the dark web is not illegal in the US, UK or India. But if you're used to government surveillance and restrictions, the dark web is likely illegal in your jurisdiction.
7. Don't browse the dark web aimlessly!
There are a lot of great sites on the dark web that you won't find on Google. For example, the news site ProPublica aims to “expose abuses of power and betrayals of trust by the public, governments, businesses and other institutions, using the ethical power of journalism.” investigate”.
However, the dark web still has many dangers. This is not something you can easily browse. First, you need to know the exact URL of a website, although there are dark web search engines you can use, like TorLinks and The Hidden Wiki.
You may be found guilty of committing a crime if you find yourself on the wrong website. And yes, that can land you in jail, especially if you buy something illegal on any black market. You can also accidentally download malware, like ransomware, keyloggers, and botnets.
The dark web can be scary, but you can still use it safely when you know what to look out for. However, if in doubt, do not visit the dark web. It's not really worth the risk for the average user!