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How To Access The "Deep Web"

[ Originally published on July 16th, 2015]

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Less than 1% of all internet links are indexed and accessible by traditional search engines such as Google or Yahoo. The other 99% or more are part of what is known as the “Deep Web” [or “Dark Web”]. Though they are not easily accessible, there are ways that you can search them.

The most popular way of accessing the Deep Web is via TOR. Also known as “The Onion Router” [THINK: Layers], TOR is free software that uses “"nodes” all across the world in order to connect to the internet. It uses multiple layers of encryption to obfuscate your IP [internet protocol] address and makes it appear to websites which you access that your IP address is originating from one of these nodes. In doing so, it helps you to remain anonymous. But remember, TOR was developed by the United States Naval Research Laboratory, so there are undoubtedly back-doors that the government can use to find you if you use it. There is also a mobile version of TOR, available on Apple and Android.

This network of nodes forms an overlay network and creates links which can be accessed only when you are using TOR, or software / websites which can access TOR, such as Tor2Web. It converts TOR-only links into links which you can access on any web browser.


Aside from TOR, other network software can be used to access traditionally un-indexed links and anonymously view and share content, such as:

► FreeNet [anonymous peer-to-peer file sharing service]

► GNUnet [anonymous peer-to-peer file sharing service]

► I2P [overlay network which offers anonymous web browsing, chatting and file sharing]

► OneSwarm [anonymous peer-to-peer file sharing service]

► RetroShare [anonymous file sharing, email and messaging]

► Syndie [access content that is accessible via I2P, TOR and FreeNet]

► Tribler [anonymous peer-to-peer file sharing service]


[ ^ The anonymous internet. ]

Though the Deep Web and its services can be used for illegal activities such as buying drugs and weapons or hiring hitmen, it can also be used for benevolent purposes, such as whistle-blowing and sharing secret or sensitive information.

Like I said earlier, TOR is by far the easiest and most versatile way to access the Deep Web. They offer a TOR Browser Bundle which includes all of the necessary TOR software, as well as a specially-modified FireFox web browser with which to use it. TOR also allows you to access normal web links as well. If you wish to explore the Deep Web or remain anonymous while browsing normal internet sites, there is simply no better or easier way.

GETTING STARTED ON THE DEEP WEB:


After you download and install the TOR browser bundle, you will want to familiarize yourself with how the Deep Web works and how to use it. You will also want to find and bookmark TOR links, which are much more obscure than traditional web links. Instead of the traditional “www.WEBSITE.com”, your TOR link would look very random [something like “123abc456def.onion”]. Here are some English-language Deep Web TOR links to check out [NOTE: TOR links change extremely often, but these were all up-to-date at the time of posting]:

► Ahmia [an anonymous search engine for TOR links]

► Blackbook [a free social network; TOR’s Deep Web equivalent of Facebook]

► The Hidden Wiki [TOR’s equivalent of Wikipedia]

► Not Evil [an anonymous search engine for TOR links]

► TorBox [private email service that is only accessible using the TOR network]

► Torch [an anonymous search engine for TOR links]

► TorLinks [a list of links that are only accessible using the TOR network]

► Yet Another TOR Directory [a list of links that are only accessible using the TOR network]


While the Deep Web helps content providers and viewers remain anonymous, there is still censorship, mainly by government agencies. When exploring Deep Web links, prepare to see this image quite often:

[ ^ U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ]

 Browse safe and browse smart. Stay conscious my friends.

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