This wikiHow teaches you how to access deep web data, online information that can't be found on standard search engines like Google or Bing. This article also discusses how to access the dark web, a controversial and difficult part of the deep web.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Accessing the Deep Web
Step 1. Understand what deep web data is
Deep web data is online information that is not indexed by search engines (eg Google). This means that instead of doing a quick Google search, you can only find the information by going to the source and looking at it.
- Some examples of deep web data in everyday life include content such as university library archives, search results on travel sites, and others.
- Deep web data is usually legal and often associated with research and trusted library sources.
- The deep web is very different from the dark web in that it is often used to carry out illicit or anonymous activities.
Step 2. Recognize how search engines find results
When searching for a word or phrase through a search engine such as Google, the engine will “scour” the internet to find surface-level results.
Since deep web content is not part of that level, you can't find it through regular search engines
Step 3. Use Firefox
As a precaution, use the Firefox browser to keep your browsing history from being tracked. Using this browser also prevents retroactive search from interfering with or hindering your access to deep web materials, and helps you get a level of privacy that other browsers don't offer.
As with other browsers, internet service providers (internet service providers or ISPs) can still see your browsing activity if they are actually searching or monitoring
Step 4. Use a search engine specific website
There are many websites that have a built-in search engine. This search engine is needed so that you can find search results that are not listed on the surface of the web.
- One example of a dedicated search engine is Facebook's built-in search engine. You can use the Facebook search bar to search for users, pages, and other content that you can't find through Google or similar search engines.
- Another example is the search bar found on academic research websites or archives. Again, resources like this are often not found without the help of a dedicated search bar.
Step 5. Try using DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo (accessible at https://duckduckgo.com/) is a private search engine that can index both surface-level web search results and deep web sources. Although rare, you may be able to find some deep web data results through these search engines.
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Step 6. Search for custom database
If you need to search for a specific type of database (e.g. journalism-oriented database), follow these steps:
- Visit
- Select a search engine category (eg. Architecture ”).
- Select a subcategory if prompted.
- Select a database from the search results.
Access the Deep Web Step 7 Step 7. Browse the deep web as desired
As previously mentioned, it is very difficult for you to experience or engage in problems on the deep web because of the nature or character of the deep web itself. As long as you follow basic internet security measures (eg don't provide personal information or download suspicious files, etc.), you can safely browse deep web data.
Method 2 of 2: Accessing the Dark Web
Access the Deep Web Step 8 Step 1. Get to know the dark web
The term dark web refers to segments or sections of deep web data that cannot be accessed without special programs and links. Unlike most deep web data, information found on the dark web typically includes broken links, “dead” websites, and a variety of other useless information.
Often, the dark web is used to provide anonymity for journalists, political dissidents, whistleblowers, and others alike
Access the Deep Web Step 9 Step 2. Understand the risks involved
While the dark web is usually harmless if you don't actively seek trouble, keep in mind that after all, the dark web is often directed or used for criminal activity. On the other hand, the legal aspects of the dark web are fairly neutral.
- Basically, if you try to access an illegal site, you will see a lot of fake links. In addition, these sites take longer to load than normal sites.
- If you try to access illegal content, you may end up getting caught instead of finding the content you want.
- While most horror stories on the dark web are nothing more than entertainment stories, refrain from contacting anyone or downloading anything from the dark web.
Access the Deep Web Step 10 Step 3. Don't use Windows to access the dark web
Although more secure than previous versions, Windows 10 still has some security flaws that make it vulnerable to hacks or viruses when you browse the deep web.
- Linux highly recommended for users who want to access or use the dark web. [1] became the Linux option that is generally chosen by users.
- Instead of loading Tails from a USB drive or optical drive, you can use a virtual machine. A virtual machine like VirtualBox is a recommended option.
- If you have a Mac, you can access the deep web or the dark web as long as you use a VPN and the Tor browser.
Access the Deep Web Step 11 Step 4. Take basic precautions before accessing the dark web
There are some basic steps that need to be taken to prevent unwanted situations or things on the dark web:
- Cover the computer webcam, or unplug it from the computer if possible.
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If you are using a WiFi connection, protect the network with a password (if you haven't already). Since this article was written (June 2, 2020), the encryption method that needs to be used is WPA2.
It would be better if you use a wired connection (ethernet)
Access the Deep Web Step 12 Step 5. Use a VPN
Before downloading the Tor browser (if possible) or accessing the dark web, you need to install and enable a virtual private network (VPN). NordVPN and ExpressVPN are fairly popular choices, but you can choose another option that has the following features:
- Switch the connection breaker (kill switch) if at any time the VPN connection drops or slows down.
- Fast load times.
- Protection against IP address and DNS leaks.
- The ability to connect computers to the network via servers in other countries.
Access the Deep Web Step 13 Step 6. Make sure the VPN is turned on and your internet traffic is redirected to another country
A VPN service will hide your IP address from anyone trying to find out your current location. You can get additional security by making sure the IP address that other people can see is redirected or linked to a country other than your country of residence.
Access the Deep Web Step 14 Step 7. Download and install Tor
You can get Tor, the browser used to access the dark web at
Tor is required to open websites ending in ".onion" which contain most of the dark web content
Access the Deep Web Step 15 Step 8. Close any other browser windows that are currently open
Thus, no general information from previous browsing sessions is available when you use Tor.
Access the Deep Web Step 16 Step 9. Connect the computer to Tor
Once the VPN is turned on and no other browser windows are open, open Tor and click “ Connect The Tor main page will open.
Tor recommends that you don't open the Tor window in a maximized window because some programs can track you based on screen resolution
Access the Deep Web Step 17 Step 10. Change Tor security settings
On the main Tor page, click the onion icon in the top-left corner of the page, then drag the slider all the way to the top. Thus, tracking scripts and various other forms of browser surveillance cannot be loaded.
Access the Deep Web Step 18 Step 11. Open a dark web search engine
Commonly accessed (and relatively safe) dark web search engines include:
- Torch – A commonly used dark web search engine and contains over a million indexed hidden pages.
- notEvil – This engine uses a Google-style interface and blocks ads.
- WWW Virtual Library – Until now, the WWW Virtual Library is the oldest search engine that contains a variety of historical resources and other academic information. You can access it at
- Avoid hidden wikis and Onion URL repositories when browsing the dark web. Both search engines often contain links to illegal or suspicious information.
Access the Deep Web Step 19 Step 12. Browse the dark web
Use your preferred search engine to browse the dark web at will. Remember to avoid suspicious links or websites, and never download or open files you find from the dark web.
Tips
- You can set Tor to use or select a specific country as the entry and/or exit point for internet traffic. However, this step is not recommended because it can make your fingerprint more unique.
- The truth is, the deep web is not as attractive as popular culture portrays it. However, the deep web can be a good resource for academic essays, research assets, and specialized information that you can't get from popular search results.
- Some parts or aspects of the dark web are used to store “raw” research data and bits of information that might be interesting to explore.
- The Internet can be broken down into three main parts: surface or surface (about 4% of internet), deep web (about 90%), and dark web (about 6%).
Warning
- Never download files or accept chat requests while surfing the dark web. Downloading content via torrent on the dark web is also not recommended.
- Most of the illegal content on the dark web has to do with things like human trafficking, the sale of illegal drugs and weapons, and so on. Do not search for or click on links to pages that refer to or participate in such matters. If you do it anyway and get caught, don't blame wikiHow.
