Have you ever been tempted to go and browse the dark web? Well, if you’re reading this article, perhaps you must have. The dark web is like a hidden part of the vast internet that most people never see. It contains almost 96% of the total information present on the net. To access the hidden part you need search engines to search Dark Web.
The Dark Web is often linked to illegal activities and questionable transactions. But, let me tell you there’s much more about it than that. It also offers secure platforms for journalists, whistleblowers, and those under strict government control.
The Deep Web contains Email messages, private protected files, electronic bank statements of organizations, and Netflix that can be assessed by authorization.
However, accessing the dark web and finding useful information there is not easy. This is because, popular search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing don’t index it. To explore it, you need special search engines for that.
Keep reading to learn about the 6 best search engines to browse the dark web in detail. This article will explain their unique features and why they stand out. Search Engines To Browse Web Anonymously.
What Are the Best Search Engines for the Dark Web?
1. DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is one of the oldest and most preferred search engines we have. It helps you browse the dark web and focuses on protecting your privacy. You can search anything and that too without being tracked. DuckDuckGo won’t collect personal information and connects you to encrypted websites automatically. They do this by blocking trackers that follow you online.
What makes DuckDuckGo stand out is its simplicity. There’s no need to enable special modes like “Incognito.” At this search engine, privacy is always the default. With over 250 million downloads, it offers features like email protection and app tracking prevention. This makes it a great option for browsing safely and staying anonymous online.
Note: Please remember that the DuckDuckGo is a default search engine on the Tor browser.
2. Not Evil
NotEvil is a dark web search engine designed to help you explore the dark web safely and securely. Google’s old motto inspires the name, “Don’t be evil”. But NotEvil takes privacy seriously. It doesn’t track users or show ads. Instead, it offers a simple search tool to access hidden content on the dark web.
What sets NotEvil apart is its claim to act as a “moral compass.” With over 32 million websites listed and 14 million onion links indexed. NotEvil covers a lot of ground. The best thing about this search engine is that it’s powered by volunteers who report bad results and flag harmful sites. This keeps the search engine reliable and safe to use.
3. Ahmia
Ahmia is another search engine specifically made to explore the dark web through the Tor network. It focuses on safety by filtering out illegal, harmful, and malware-filled content. It allows users to find legitimate onion sites while keeping their privacy intact. It was created in 2014 by security researcher Juha Nurmi, whose aim was to build a trusted tool for dark web browsing.
Ahmia is widely recognized for offering a secure way to search for onion sites and helping users avoid harmful links. Ahmia also lets website owners register their onion sites, which makes them easier to find. Whether you’re a journalist looking for secure communication or exploring new things, Ahmia makes the dark web less scary and puts user safety first.
4. Torch
The Torch search engine, a Chromium-based web browser, is a key gateway to exploring the dark web. It helps users find hidden websites and services within the Tor network while maintaining their privacy. With its vast index of .onion sites, Torch provides quick and relevant search results, making it a trusted tool for those searching the dark web.
Torch keeps things simple and efficient, which is good for beginners and experienced users. From forums to niche content, it allows users to explore safely and anonymously which ensures an accessible experience in the hidden corners of the internet.
5. Haystak
Currently, Haystak is unquestionably one of the largest dark web search engines. With over 1.5 billion indexed pages, It’s fast, easy to use, and keeps your privacy safe. Unlike other search engines, Haystak doesn’t track your data or reveal your identity. Many find Haystak similar to DuckDuckGo.
If privacy and security matter to you, Haystak is a great choice. It works on a freemium model, giving you lots of flexibility. But, the free version has some ads, which is annoying sometimes. The best part is that there is an option to upgrade it to premium. Doing that will remove ads and get extra features, like viewing older versions of websites, and many more.
6. Kilos
Kilos is an emerging dark web search engine. Launched in November 2019, it is quite popular these days. It has a clean, Google-like design and advanced search features making it easy to find content on illegal marketplaces and forums. Kilos indexes a lot of data, including product listings, vendor profiles, and user reviews, from marketplaces like CannaHome and Empire. It also has filters for price, location, and currency to help users narrow their searches.
Kilos regular updates and unique features make it special. You can talk directly to the site’s admin or others, which is uncommon on the dark web. Kilos has strong search tools making it great for exploring hidden parts of the internet. Although it’s connected to the old Grams search engine, Kilos offers better features and more detailed information about the dark web.
What Are the Best Search Engines for Deep Web?
1. Pipl
Pipl is the biggest people search engine in the world. It connects over 3 billion online profiles to real people. Pipl goes beyond what Google can find by searching through hidden parts of the internet, such as databases, court records, and directories that aren’t easily accessible. This helps you find detailed information about individuals, like contact details and social media profiles. It’s especially helpful for background checks and verifying identities.
Originally made for industries like banking, insurance, and e-commerce to help prevent fraud, Pipl has recently become popular with recruiters looking for candidate information. With Pipl’s Pro version, you can have even more advanced features for searching identities.
2. The Wayback Machine
The Wayback Machine is a unique tool for accessing archived versions of websites. Unlike traditional search engines that only display the most recent version of a webpage, the Wayback Machine provides access to older versions, with over 850 billion web pages stored on its servers.
This search engine is invaluable for retrieving content that’s no longer available on the visible web. Whether you’re conducting research or reflecting on the past, the Wayback Machine ensures that nothing on the internet is truly lost.
3. The WWW Virtual Library
The WWW Virtual Library, founded in 1991 by Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web, is the oldest catalog of Internet resources. It offers a carefully curated index of deep web content. This deep web search engine is well organized by volunteers into categories like agriculture, business, science, and more.
Each entry is linked to a relevant resource, accompanied by a short description and a relevancy ranking. This carefully chosen approach provides high-quality links covering a wide range of topics, from academic materials to historical documents. It’s a dependable and easy way to find specialized information on different subjects.
Conclusion
Overall, the dark web can be safe and useful for anyone if done carefully. There are specially designed search engines out there, the one we’ve mentioned above, that allow you to find valuable resources while keeping your privacy in check.
But, you always need to be cautious while browsing the dark web. We’d recommend using a highly trusted VPN, avoiding any kind of illegal content, and staying alert to risks. With the proper guidance and following the right approach, you can indeed explore it safely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is it illegal to browse the dark web?
A. No, searching the dark web is not illegal in most of the countries. Many people use it for legitimate purposes. But, its legality depends on your country’s specific law. Doing anything illegal on the dark web is still a crime and can get you in trouble.
Q2. Can I use Google or Bing to search the dark web?
A. No, the content of the dark web isn’t visible to regular search engines like Google, Yandex, Yahoo, Bing, or any other. To access it safely, you should use special search engines like DuckDuckGo, Torch, or Ahmia.
Q3. How can I stay safe while searching on the dark web?
A. To stay safe and secure, you should use a trusted VPN, browse only through the Tor browser, and don’t tap on suspicious links or anything that seems illegal.