So, you want to get on the dark web? Don't worry; we're not judging. There are lots of perfectly legitimate reasons you might want to access all that shady content.

Joking aside, if you want to know how to access the dark web in a safe and anonymous way, keep reading. There are some crucial steps you need to take when you want to get on the dark web.

1. Always Use a VPN to Access the Dark Web

We're not going to dwell on what the dark web is or how it works. Suffice to say that too many users think they are safe from the prying eyes of ISPs and governments just because of the way dark net uses onion routing technology.

That's not true. Even if you use the Tor browser, your traffic can still be traced back to you by anyone with enough time and know-how (for example, the FBI!).

And remember, the Tor browser fell victim to an IP leak in April 2018. Nicknamed "TorMoil," the flaw allowed a user's operating system to connect to a remote host, bypassing the Tor Browser entirely. MacOS and Linux users were most at risk.

Ergo, you should also use a VPN when connecting to the dark web. It will encrypt your web traffic, ensuring its hidden from snoopers even if there's a similar repeat of last year's issues.

We recommend using ExpressVPN or CyberGhost.

2. Download the Tor Browser from the Official Website

Tor might have had its security problems in the past, but it's still the safest and most popular way to get on the dark web.

Because of its market-leading position and the nature of the content which you can access when using it, it should come as no surprise to learn that there are a lot of actors out there who want to spoof the app and make you download a compromised version instead.

Therefore, you should never download the Tor browser from any source other than the official website. You can find it at torproject.org. The browser is free to download and use.

You also need to make sure you keep your browser up-to-date at all times. Failure to do so could leave you vulnerable to security issues.

Check out our list of tips for using Tor safely if you'd like more information.