While it’s legal to use the Tor browser, it’s often associated with the Dark Web and illegal activities. If your ISP catches you connecting to the Dark Web, your browsing history will be carefully monitored for anything suspicious. Unfortunately, it can potentially lead to a termination with your ISP or even a visit from your relevant government authority to investigate you (even if you’re not breaking any laws). Using a premium VPN secures your connection and ensures your Tor connection remains completely anonymous. Out of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN is #1 due to its secure network of private servers, fast speeds, and strict no-logs policy. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN with the Dark Web for yourself. You can get a full refund anytime within 30 days if you’re not satisfied. Browse the Dark Web safely with ExpressVPN! Note: WizCase does not condone participation in any illegal activities. Please check the rules and regulations in your country to ensure you are not in breach of any laws.
3 Easy Steps to Get on the Dark Web (Updated January 2023)
Connect to the Dark Web with ExpressVPN!
Best VPNs to Safely Use the Dark Web in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for the Dark Web With RAM-Based Servers That Delete All Data With Every Reboot
Key Features: ExpressVPN’s powerful privacy and security features are perfect for browsing the Dark Web. Its RAM-based servers mean data is never stored and everything resets when the servers reboot. You’re further protected by an automatic kill switch, which ensures your data remains secure even if the internet connection unexpectedly drops out. ExpressVPN has even had its no-logs policy proven in real life. The Turkish government had previously seized a physical ExpressVPN server in an attempt to track down customer data — but ultimately found nothing of use in their investigation. Its global network of 3000 servers across 94 countries is secured with AES-256, an advanced encryption standard used by militaries across the world to secure and protect classified data. This is implemented to protect your data between the VPN servers and your device, keeping your online activities hidden. I even ran a series of independent leak tests to see if my real IP address was being revealed, but only my ExpressVPN server connection was visible every time. Most impressively, my team in China found that ExpressVPN is one of the only VPN providers still able to bypass China’s firewall. ExpressVPN’s secure and privacy-focused service makes it the best choice when accessing the Dark Web with Tor. Its unique RAM-based servers are able to offer a level of safety unmatched by the competition. Better still, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try ExpressVPN for yourself without any risk. If you find it doesn’t fit your needs, it’s risk-free to get your money back. I tested it myself as part of this review and I got a full refund within 5 business days. Browse the Dark Web safely with ExpressVPN!
2. CyberGhost — Secure NoSpy Servers for Ultimate Privacy On the Dark Web
Key Features: CyberGhost has a highly-secure server network in Romania called NoSpy servers, making it a top VPN for browsing the Dark Web. These NoSpy servers are entirely owned and operated by CyberGhost, which prevents any malicious third-parties from compromising your data security. The NoSpy servers are also optimized for safe browsing and torrenting. The server network is equipped with premium hardware and dedicated connections to increase bandwidth. This means you can anonymously torrent and surf the Dark Web at the best possible speeds, even if your online activity is data-intensive. Your identity and online activities are protected by CyberGhost’s strict no-logs policy. As its NoSpy servers are based in Romania, there’s no legal requirement to retain any user data — guaranteeing your Dark Web activity is completely anonymous. CyberGhost’s AES-256 military-grade encryption protocol further ensures your connections remain shielded from anyone who might try to intercept it. You can try CyberGhost risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. This gives you more than 1 month to see if you’re satisfied with CyberGhost’s performance on the Dark Web. Access the Dark Web safely with CyberGhost!
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Advanced Security Bonuses for Safely Browsing the Dark Web
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) has a great range of security features to keep you safe on the Dark Web. It has the necessities like military-grade encryption and IP leak protection to keep your data hidden when you visit .onion sites. However, PIA also has security bonuses usually reserved only for higher-priced VPNs, like an integrated malware blocker. This automatically blocks ads, trackers, and URLs known to contain harmful software. Since malicious links are one of the biggest threats on the Dark Web, I feel much more assured using VPNs with this feature. To ensure my private data was hidden with PIA, I connected to a server in France and ran a DNS leak test. This would show me if information like my real IP address leaked while I used PIA. I was glad to see that my DNS test only detected the IP address for PIA’s encrypted VPN server, confirming I was anonymous on the Dark Web. With its strict zero-logs policy, none of your data is ever recorded to PIA’s servers. That means it can’t be seen by anyone even if the government requests it. PIA also has an automatic kill switch feature, which instantly shuts off your internet if you lose contact with the VPN server. This ensures that you won’t be exposed as a Dark Web user even if the connection drops. You can try PIA risk-free for 30 days with the money-back guarantee. When I tested it myself, the money returned to my account within 2 weeks. Get on the Dark Web with PIA!
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryptionA kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenlyBuilt-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blockerFully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. With plans that cost as little as $3.49 per month, it’s easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. To ensure that you’ll really get your money back, I tested NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. Get NordVPN today NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Key Features: Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out. I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android usersWireguard VPN protocol enabled by defaultDiskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)Kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in UHD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.
You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.05. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Get Surfshark today Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
How a VPN Helps You Safely Connect to the Dark Web
Though the Tor browser provides a certain amount of anonymity, using a premium VPN can guarantee total security and privacy. The Dark Web lacks censorship, safety, and standards that we use on the regular internet. This means websites on the Dark Web are potentially more dangerous and ready to infect your device or attempt to trace your connection. Using a VPN with Tor eliminates the possibility of your real IP being tracked and protects you from the threat. While there are some good free VPNs on the market, I don’t recommend using any of them for the Dark Web. Even the best free VPNs come with severe limitations, such as restricted data, lots of buffering and lag, and overcrowded servers. None of these downsides are worth it, especially since using the Tor browser will already slow down your browsing speeds. I find it’s well worth investing in a quality VPN for maximum security, guaranteed anonymity, and a high-speed global server network. Stay safe on the Dark Web with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide to the Dark Web
The Dark Web is associated most often with illegal activities, like purchasing controlled substances, firearms, and stolen personal data to commit fraud. But the Dark Web isn’t just used by criminals — it’s a way to communicate information securely, make purchases, and use the internet anonymously.
Journalists, whistleblowers, and activists communicate using the Dark Web to share information without being identified or persecuted by government bodies. Legal goods can be purchased using cryptocurrency for anonymous online shopping (just make sure to use a P.O. Box and not your real address!). Restricted goods, like medications that are legal in some countries but not in others, are available for purchase worldwide. It’s possible to surf the web and visit sites, forums, and chat rooms without anyone knowing where you’re located.
The Dark Web is often confused with the Deep Web, a far larger part of the internet consisting of information that isn’t available to the public or indexed by search engines. Browse the Dark Web without any risk!
Top Tips to Stay Safe on the Dark Web
Even with a VPN and the Tor Browser providing encryption and anonymity, there are still more ways you can protect yourself on the Dark Web.
Use Tor over VPN. Boot up your VPN of choice (here are all the best VPNs in 2023) before using the Tor browser to ensure your IP address is hidden from your ISP. If you accidentally open Tor first and then your VPN (VPN over Tor), you’ve already connected to the Onion network and revealed your activity to your ISP and your IP address to Tor. Switch the security settings on the Tor Browser to the highest level. This protects you from malicious sites and online attacks. Don’t use your normal device to access the Dark Web. If possible, use a separate computer that has no personal data stored on it. Don’t enter any personal details or use non-encrypted email addresses. Don’t post your real name or photo. Use Bitcoin or another anonymous cryptocurrency to make purchases. Use a P.O. Box for any mail, not your real address. Consider using the Tails operating system. This is an OS you use with your computer that leaves no trace of your activity (or itself!) on your device. It’s an easy way to access the Tor network anonymously — and you can use Tails with a router-compatible VPN like ExpressVPN to protect your personal data, too! Be cautious and careful. This might seem obvious, but using common sense and not clicking on suspicious links or engaging in illegal behavior will keep you safe on the Dark Web.
Try ExpressVPN with the Dark Web!
Don’t Compromise Your Safety & Use a VPN to Access the Dark Web
You don’t have to risk your private data on the Dark Web when you’re connected to a quality VPN and Tor at the same time. The safest VPN choice, ExpressVPN, even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This makes it completely risk-free to test out ExpressVPN with Tor and the Dark Web for yourself. If you’re not satisfied, you can request a full refund (no questions asked). You don’t have to expose your private data on the Dark Web. Get ExpressVPN risk-free!
