Are you considering using the dark web? Tor is not as anonymous as it might seem to you; which is the reason I recommend pairing it with a VPN or Virtual Private Network. This article lists some of the best VPNs for the dark web.
Once you establish a connection to the Tor network; your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can no longer tell which sites you visit. It can, though, see whether you are using Tor or not. This is an issue, since, despite Tor’s numerous legitimate uses (enabling anonymous communication in regions with repressive regimes, for example), it has an eminence as a tool for crooks.
There is, nevertheless, an easy way to keep your Tor usage a secret: just connect to a VPN. These work by routing your traffic through encrypted servers elsewhere in the world. This suggests that your IP address is changed, and your activities are completely hidden from everyone except your VPN provider.
Read more: Best Secure And Private Browser 2020
Why You Need a VPN to Access the Dark Web
A VPN is necessary for accessing the dark web for two reasons. Firstly, if you happen to live in a country where Tor or similar browsers have been banned or blocked. And secondly, to prevent your ISP or anyone else from detecting that you’re using Tor.
Currently, China’s Great Firewall is successfully blocking Tor, both via the network’s public and secret entry relays. To get around a geoblock this substantial, you need a VPN that is powerful enough to unblock censored content.
VPNs can unblock censored content by masking your IP address and rerouting your traffic through a server in a different country. In other words, a country where Tor is not banned.
Only the most reliable VPNs with the most significant networks are capable of bypassing geo-blocks like those imposed by the Great Firewall.
Even if in your country, dark web browsers aren’t blocked, it is still a good idea to use a VPN.
Browsing the dark web itself is not illegal. However, since the dark web is so strongly associated with criminal activity, just accessing it can be viewed as suspicious.
In fact, in 2016, the US government declared that use of the Tor browser was adequate to warrant search and breakdown of your device.
While Tor encrypts your internet data as you browse the dark web, it cannot protect from your ISP or other third parties. All of your online presence while using Tor will be protected, but the fact that you are using Tor will still be visible.
Using a VPN to access the dark web will hide the fact that you’re using Tor from your ISP, government companies, or any other third parties who’re tracking and monitoring your activity.
To ensure your privacy while accessing the dark web, your preferred VPN should have the following features:
- An HQ outside the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance for reliable privacy.
- Secure encryption protocols to guard your data.
- Leak protection to safeguard your security, even in the event of a lost connection.
- A strict no logs policy to ensure none of your information is being recorded.
The Best VPNs for Accessing the Dark Web
1. NordVPN
- Double encryption for added security
- Automatic kill switch
- A variety of platform support
- Six simultaneous connections
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 3-Day free trial
2. ExpressVPN
- Unlimited Bandwidth with Ultra Speed
- Provides all VPN protocols OpenVPN (TCP, UDP), L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, and PPTP
- Dedicated VPN Apps for Android & iOS
- High-End Security with OpenVPN 256-bits
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 3 simultaneous connections
3. Surfshark
- AES 256-Bit Network Encryption
- Chrome Extension Available
- Kill-Switch functionality
- A variety of platform support
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
4. CyberGhost
- Uses AES 256 Encryption
- Supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP
- DNS & IP Leak Protection
- Uses 2048 Key & MD5 Authentication
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- Up to 7 Simultaneous Connections
5. Private Internet Access
- Offers all Protocols PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec including SOCKS5 Proxy
- IPv6 Leak Protection & DNS Leak Protection
- Kill-Switch functionality
- Encrypted Wi-Fi Protection
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 10 simultaneous connections
How to use a VPN with Tor and access the dark web
There are many ways to connect to Tor, but for brevity’s sake we’ll assume you’re using the Tor browser.
Here’s how to access the dark web with a VPN:
- Sign up for and install a VPN. Our top recommendation is NordVPN.
- Select a server location and connect to the VPN. Wait for the connection to be established.
- Open the Tor Browser
- Surf the dark web!
Using this simple setup, your internet traffic is encrypted twice: first by Tor, then by the VPN. It then goes to the VPN server, where the VPN’s layer of encryption is removed, before going on to a Tor entry node. Your ISP only sees encrypted traffic going to a server and cannot detect that you are using Tor or connecting to Tor entry nodes.
Can I use a free VPN for the dark web?
Free VPNs are usually a bad idea if you intend to be anonymous online. They tend to be less secure, and various will log your online activity to market to third parties. Others inject ads into your browser, and some even carry malware payloads.
Aside from privacy and security risks, free VPNs are slow. If you’re using the Tor browser, your bandwidth will already be pretty limited, and a free VPN will only hinder it further. Server bottleneck, bandwidth limits, and data caps all contribute to a slow experience.
Paid providers have a vested interest in keeping your activity private, so we strongly recommend bypassing free alternatives.
I have a VPN and Tor Browser. Now what?
If your aim is to access the darknet, you need to know where to look. If you are not sure where to start, you should first learn how to access the dark web safely while keeping your anonymity intact.
Because search engines such as Google don’t regularly index the dark web, it can be hard to find stuff. That’s on purpose, as most sites and services on the darknet aim to be kept secret, at least to some degree. You can’t just surf the dark web like you can the clear net.
Be very careful about links to dark web sites that you find on the clear web. The links may well lead to scam, malware, and phishing sites that look indistinguishable from an excellent site.
Having said that, the darknet is home to a broad range of content, both legal and illegal. It’s important to tread with caution and never reveal any personal information that could be used to identify you.
Conclusion -5 Best VPNs for the Dark Web
So, if you’re looking for ways to access the dark web safely, you can choose any VPN from the list given above. Not only, it will save you from unnecessary spoofing but also, offer you the best speed connection with Internet anonymity.
