Redazione RHC : 2 November 2025 09:28
Have you always thought that the Dark Web is frequented by cybercriminals?
Have you always thought that the Dark Web is a dangerous and treacherous network?
Today we want to dispel this myth and raise awareness—and therefore knowledge—about this technological marvel that has always protected the anonymity and privacy of countless users.
The Dark Web is a part of the internet that can’t be reached with standard browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge). To access it, you need to use specific tools like the Tor Browser , which guarantees anonymity and allows you to visit so-called onion services .
Many associate the Dark Web solely with criminal activity, but in reality this is not the case: it is a complex environment that hosts both legal and illegal content .
But how do you get in and what resources are available on the dark web that can be used upon first access?
Accessing the Dark Web isn’t complicated, but it does require specific tools to ensure anonymity and security. Unlike the traditional web, sites with the .onion extension aren’t accessible through common browsers like Chrome or Safari.
To navigate this hidden part of the internet, you need to use Tor Browser , a free, open-source software developed to protect user privacy . Once installed, Tor allows you to connect to the onion network and visit sites anonymously, without your location or identity being easily traced.
.onion address into the search bar and explore the contents.⚠️ Important note: Only access safe and legitimate links. Browsing unverified sites can pose legal and security risks.
To further increase security, it’s recommended to use Tor Browser on a dedicated computer or, alternatively, within a virtual machine . This approach reduces the risk of contaminating your main system, isolates any malicious files, and makes it easier to keep dark web browsing separate from your daily activities.
Another good practice is to combine Tor with a reliable VPN . This way, your internet connection is first routed through a VPN server and then over the Tor network, adding an extra layer of anonymity. This strategy, known as Tor over VPN , protects you from potential monitoring by your internet service provider and strengthens your defense against tracking attempts.
The Dark Web is a portion of the Deep Web (i.e., the set of pages not indexed by traditional search engines). Not everything found on the Dark Web is illegal: in addition to marketplaces for drugs, weapons, and ransomware, there are also:
The Onion Network gets its name from its method of operation: every communication is encapsulated in layers of encryption . As data travels, it passes through multiple nodes in the Tor network, each of which removes a “layer” without knowing either the sender or the final recipient.
This system guarantees anonymity, security and censorship resistance .
For this reason the Dark Web is used by:
Many associate Tor Browser exclusively with the Dark Web and .onion sites , but in reality this tool also allows you to browse regular websites, just like popular browsers like Chrome or Firefox. The interface is simple and intuitive (as TOR Browser is a Mozilla Firefox distro), requires no special skills, and allows you to access any traditional web resource without any significant differences in the user experience.
The real advantage, however, lies in the way Tor routes traffic: instead of connecting directly to servers, data passes through a series of nodes distributed around the world, making it extremely difficult to identify the user’s location and identity. This means that even when browsing ordinary websites, anyone observing your connection can’t tell exactly what resources you’re visiting or where you’re browsing from.
Another benefit is protection against increasingly invasive tracking techniques. Using Tor to access the Clear Web drastically reduces the possibility of websites and online services accumulating profiling data by linking activities and preferences to a single IP address. This makes even common activities like reading the news, browsing forums, or conducting searches more difficult to monitor by third parties, at the expense of minimal latency, thanks to the use of TOR routing.
Finally, Tor Browser is a valuable ally for those in countries with severe restrictions on digital freedom or on highly controlled corporate and university networks. Accessing the Clear Web via the onion network allows you to bypass blocks and censorship, maintaining a freer and more secure connection. Despite potential speed limitations, the advantages in terms of privacy and anonymity make Tor an attractive choice not only for exploring the Dark Web but also for normal everyday browsing.
Here you’ll find a selection of legitimate and safe resources available on the Dark Web, organized by category. Please note that onion links change regularly, so some pages may not be accessible.
The Dark Web is not just crime : it is also a fundamental tool for freedom of expression , privacy and the circulation of information .
Navigating with awareness allows you to discover a world made of knowledge, security, and free information.
If you want to truly understand how the Dark Web works, the fifth Live Class of the Dark Web & Cyber Threat Intelligence course organized by Red Hot Cyber will begin in October. The training course will be led by Professor Pietro Melillo , a university professor and cybersecurity expert with years of experience in the field of cyber threat intelligence .
The live class will explore the mechanisms of the onion network , the main threats circulating in underground forums and dark web marketplaces, and the techniques used to collect and analyze useful information for OSINT and HUMINT . This includes not just theory, but also practice, thanks to operational labs and simulations of real-world scenarios.
Upon completion of the course, participants will earn the Cyber Threat Intelligence Professional (CTIP) certification , recognized by Red Hot Cyber. This is a unique opportunity for cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement, analysts, and anyone who wants to acquire concrete skills in a crucial area of digital security.
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