You’ve probably heard the terms Tor and dark web in the media. However, accessing these sites is not so dangerous as it sounds. In fact, it’s surprisingly easy to get up and running.
The dark web is a collection of websites that aren’t searched by a search engine such as Google. It’s a part of the internet where information and content that would otherwise be private is stored. Email inboxes and Google Drive folders are stored on the deep web. They’re not accessible to the general public when using a standard browser.
There are a myriad of websites on the dark web which serve legitimate goals. For instance, the site SecureDrop is a dark web site that allows whistleblowers and other whistleblowers to disclose sensitive information to news organizations anonymously. And there are also sites which allow users to buy and sell stolen credentials, such as passwords, credit card numbers and social security numbers. These sites are called’marketplaces. The most famous examples are Silk Road, AlphaBay and many more.
Tor is the key to the dark web. It carries your internet connection via a number of volunteer servers that are scattered around the globe. This makes it impossible for anyone to track you. Tor is so named because the traffic it encrypts goes through a number of layers, similar to the onion layering on pizza, which helps ensure your privacy.
