The dark web often has a bad reputation. For many people, it’s synonymous with crime, illegal activities, and viruses. And yes, there are some pretty dark corners in there… but that doesn’t mean everything is dangerous or illegal. In reality, the dark web is just a tool (a part of the internet that doesn’t show up on Google) and, like any tool, it all depends on how it’s used.
With the right knowledge and precautions, it can be used safely and for completely legitimate purposes: researching sensitive topics, protecting your privacy, or even accessing censored information in countries with repression.
Now, if you’re thinking about exploring it, there’s only one safe way to do it: by using the Tor browser. And here’s an important warning: you should only download it from the official Tor Project website. Avoid any odd versions from other sites. Using an unofficial download can be very risky—many come modified with malicious software that spies on everything you do or steals your information.
Once you have the Tor browser installed, the next crucial step is to adjust its security settings. Tor offers three levels: Standard, Safer, and Safest. The Safest setting blocks many potentially dangerous elements like JavaScript (which is often used in attacks), external fonts, unusual symbols, and multimedia content.
That said, the more secure your settings are, the more likely it is that some websites won’t work properly or display as they should. That’s why it’s best to activate the “Safest” mode when visiting unknown sites, especially .onion addresses.
Many people choose to combine Tor with a VPN to strengthen their anonymity. This adds an extra layer of privacy: although your internet provider might notice you're using Tor, with an active VPN, they won’t even see that.
That said, Tor already encrypts all your traffic and routes it through multiple points around the world before reaching its destination. So, if you’re only planning to browse legally and occasionally, a VPN isn’t strictly necessary.
But if you still want to use one, avoid free VPNs. They may sound tempting, but many of them sell your data or rent out your IP addresses. It's better to choose a paid VPN with a clear zero-log policy. And most importantly: turn on the VPN first, then open Tor. This setup is called Tor over VPN, and it prevents your internet provider from even knowing you're using Tor.
If you're serious about taking your privacy to the next level, there are operating systems designed specifically for that:
Read more: Top 10 Best Browsers for Surfing the Dark Web
One of the first things you’ll notice when accessing the dark web is that everything loads more slowly. And no, it’s not your internet connection acting up. This is completely normal and has to do with how Tor—the network used to access this part of the internet—works.
Tor routes your traffic through several “hops” around the world (kind of like passing a letter through many hands before it reaches its destination), and at each step, a different layer of encryption is peeled off (hence the term “onion routing”). This slowness is part of the deal: it’s what keeps your connection anonymous and encrypted. So if it’s running slow, that’s actually a good sign.
Google or Bing won’t help you find .onion sites. Instead, there are special search engines that will. Tor comes with DuckDuckGo as its default option, and it works well. But if you want something more secure, try Ahmia: it’s a search engine designed for the dark web that only shows verified sites and filters out dangerous content.
And here’s an important tip: don’t click on just any link you find in forums or chats. Many of those links are traps, full of viruses or lead to illegal content. The safest route is to use trustworthy .onion directories or visit official versions of well-known media outlets, like The New York Times, Facebook, or The Guardian, which have their own .onion sites so people can access them even in censored countries.
Read more: 10 Most Active Dark Web Markets in 2025
Some sites immediately scream “get out of here.” Watch for these red flags:
They offer drugs, weapons, fake documents, or stolen databases
They ask for personal information like your name, email, or credit card
They try to get you to download suspicious files or updates
They're filled with weird ads, pop-ups, or strange behaviors
The site looks poorly made, has odd errors, or runs scripts without warning
There are forums discussing crimes like fraud, hacking, or piracy
Warning: In some countries, just reading or participating in these forums can get you into legal trouble—even if you’re not doing anything illegal. So be very cautious.
The dark web can be used for entirely legal and legitimate purposes (journalists, researchers, and activists use it every day), but that doesn’t mean it’s safe by default. Here are some golden rules to help you navigate without putting yourself at risk:
Don’t use your real name. Use a pseudonym and a temporary email.
Don’t download files—not even PDFs or ZIPs. They could be infected.
Don’t make purchases or payments, even with cryptocurrencies. Scams are everywhere.
Stay away from “black markets.” Many are fake or under surveillance.
Don’t click links randomly, subscribe to anything, or fill out forms with your data.
Browse with a clear purpose. Go in, do what you need to do, and get out. Don’t wander out of curiosity.
Yes, using the dark web is legal. You’re not doing anything wrong by using Tor or visiting .onion sites. Many people use it to protect their privacy, research sensitive topics, or simply access news in countries with censorship.
What’s illegal is interacting with prohibited content, buying illegal goods, or downloading files that break the law. And the tricky part is, you could stumble across these things without even looking for them.
So, if you're going to use the dark web, do it with knowledge, caution, and always stay within the law. Protect yourself, keep your identity private, avoid downloads, and browse with a purpose. That’s what makes the difference between a useful experience… or a nightmare.