Tor over VPN is better as it hides the vulnerabilities that ISPs may exploit in the Tor network. This makes the VPN server the first layer of network encryption, effectively keeping snoopers off your tail. Each VPN has its features and areas of strength, which means the best one might be subjective rather than objective. However, we recommend ExpressVPN for its versatility and support for Tor, Freenet, and the Invisible Internet Project (I2P). This app is available on the iPhone’s App Store and encrypts your Tor network traffic for maximum privacy.
Apart From Tor, Are There Other Browsers For Accessing The Darknet?
No data caps or bandwidth limitations are ever imposed on PrivateVPN customers’ online activities. PrivateVPN does a great job of protecting your privacy thanks to a no-logs policy and their acceptance of Bitcoin, which keeps your subscription info undercover. If the Tor browser is available for your device, ExpressVPN likely offers a native VPN app for it. MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Kindle Fire and others make the scene.
CyberGhost has some useful automation features that can establish public wi-fi protection or launch the Tor browser when a CyberGhost connection is established. The provider successfully prevented WebRTC and IPv4 leaks when tested. IPv6 and DNS leak protection are optional, though they’re enabled by default in the apps. We tested these and also looked for any evidence of IPv4 and WebRTC leaks.
Methodology: How We Chose The Best VPNs For The Dark Web
Venturing into the dark corners of the internet can be risky business. The dark web, while valued by some for its anonymity, is also notorious as a hotbed of illicit activity. That‘s why having the right privacy tools is critical before accessing hidden .onion sites or services through Tor. Avira Phantom VPN, developed by the reputable security company Avira, known for its antivirus software, offers a streamlined VPN solution that emphasizes simplicity and effectiveness. Avira Phantom VPN operates on a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that it does not track or store any information about users’ internet activities. Additionally, Avira uses AES-256 encryption, the same standard used by military and financial institutions, to secure user data against potential intercepts and cyber threats.
Direct Tor Network Access
All you need is to download a free VPN for Windows, macOS, Android, or Linux since Tor works on these platforms. Torrenting is, of course, allowed, and PrivadoVPN sports uncapped speeds for the best performance. Now, since we’re talking about a 100% free darknet VPN, it does offer some critical shortcomings. The first thing is limited monthly traffic – just 10 gigs a month. To make things worse, the service has no 24/7 live chat support and lacks any form of simultaneous connection. This makes it far worse than the premium version, which ends up being too expensive compared to NordVPN or ExpressVPN, for instance.
- Without a VPN, your online activities can be monitored by cybercriminals, hackers, and other malicious actors, putting your safety at risk.
- Plus, it has the second-best speeds, a verified no-logs policy, and a huge suite of premium security features.
- I2P can only be used to access hidden sites that are only available on the I2P network.
- Live chat is on-hand around the clock if you can’t find answers to your questions in the knowledge base, and we’ve found staff to be both responsive and knowledgeable about the service.
FAQs: VPNs And The Dark Web
- Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Analytics Insight, or any of its affiliates, officers or directors.
- This provider delivers some of the best download speeds in the VPN industry, but it doesn’t stop there.
- Its unlimited traffic coupled with 3,000 servers in 160 locations already sounds much better.
- The Tor Browser is a popular online anonymity tool among political activists and journalists who fear totalitarian governments monitoring or arresting them.
The dark web, on the other hand, is a part of the internet that you can access only with a special browser that can access “.onion” sites. Every site on the dark web has this domain, which cannot be accessed with conventional browsers. In our opinion, you should ALWAYS invest in a proper, safe, and secure premium provider that you won’t have to worry about. After all, they’ll cost you merely a few bucks per month, which you already spend on cigarettes, snacks, and whatnot. You see, when using Tor alone, government officials and ISPs can still see that you’re using it. And while they can’t read your traffic because it’s anonymized by Tor, the fact that they know that you’re using it is enough for you to be suspicious.
Best VPN For Dark Web: Top Picks For Secure And Anonymous Browsing
None of these downsides are worth it, especially since using the Tor browser will already slow down your browsing speeds. Using a VPN to access the Dark Web is legal in most countries since the best VPNs are simply tools meant to enhance online privacy and security. However, some countries like China and Russia censor the internet and therefore put regulations in place to prevent VPN use. Always check up on the local laws surrounding VPNs if you’re not sure so you don’t accidentally get into trouble. Yes, you can access the Dark Web using Tor or similar browsers — but I don’t recommend it.
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That said, there’s a huge range of support available on the website in case you have any difficulties. Alternatively, you can speak to staff for free using the 24/7 live chat service or support email address. This provider also offers its own private search engine, antivirus app, and a tool that’ll let you know if your details are leaked on the dark web as part of its Surfshark One addon. This costs a little extra each month but might be of interest to consumers looking for a more comprehensive privacy package. Surfshark users can choose from over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, all of which provide impressive performance and the ability to fly under the radar of VPN-detection systems. Our latest testing revealed average speeds of around 190 Mbps, which is particularly impressive considering how inexpensive Surfshark’s long-term plans can be.
Many free VPN providers collect your personal data and browsing habits to sell on to third parties. This is how they make their money, which kind of defeats the whole purpose of a VPN to begin with. Your best bet is to stick with one of the providers listed in this article for optimum security while accessing the dark web. Although CyberGhost is seemingly tailor-made for streaming it provides plenty of security and privacy features that make it good for exploring the dark web. It uses strong 256-bit AES encryption, and its apps come with a kill switch; and an ad, tracker and malware blocker.
While VPN over Tor is a bit more complicated to set up, it protects you against malicious exit nodes. All data is routed from the exit node through a secure VPN connection. This prevents the node operator from detecting your IP address or from finding out any other information.
Tails works on most computers manufactured in the last 10 years. While this is good advice for any type of web browsing, be particularly careful not to offer up any personal details, such as your credit card info or email address. Use cryptocurrency to buy anything, and use a disposable email address for any type of communication on the dark web. Keep in mind what you’re looking for, find that information, and disconnect from the dark web. As enticing as it might be, don’t follow links to other parts of the dark web.
Why Choose ProtonVPN For The Dark Web?
In the meantime, the provider does operate a verified no-logging policy – so at least your dark web life will stay private if the authorities demand your logs. The VPN provider also used to offer a .onion address, but since the update from v2 onion to v3, it appears to be defunct. In second place is ExpressVPN, thanks to its lightning-fast speeds and automatic obfuscation on every VPN server with any protocol.
