How to Access the Dark Web From Your Computer (with pictures)

The Dark Web is much bigger than most people believe. Even Facebook has a Dark Web domain with more than one million monthly users. The Dark Web is only getting bigger and this is because of how easy Tor (The Onion Router) has made it to access. If you're reading this on an Android device you can click here to access my guide on getting to the Dark Web on mobile. If you've landed on this page, however, odds are you want to get to the Dark Web on your computer. I'm here to guide you through this entire process. If you come across any errors or have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below!

1.) Finding The Onion Router

The very first thing you're going to want to do is maneuver your way over to googles homepage and search for "The onion router". After you do this, click the first link. The URL under the first link should read https://www.torproject.org. Once you land on this page, click the purple download button in the middle of the screen reading "Download Tor".

2.) Downloading The Onion Router

After clicking this first download button you won't immediately download Tor. This first button simply redirects you to the download page. This page presents you with a list of simple warnings and "bad habits" that users should NOT do. It also greets you with the real download button reading "Download Tor Browser". Click this button after going over some of the safety precautions listed below the page.

3.) Waiting for the download

After clicking the official download button you'll see the installation process beginning in the bottom left corner of your screen. This download should only take a minute or two to complete, and once it's finished all you have to do is click on it and wait until you see the Tor browser setup.

4.) Passing through the Tor setup

This setup is pretty self-explanatory, but I'm still here to guide you through the entire process. Once this window pops up you're going to want to make sure the installation is headed to the correct spot in your computer (You probably don't have to change anything here). Once Tor is directed to the right place hit the highlighted button labeled "Install".

5.) Finishing the Browser Setup

Select your preferred language in the dropdown menu and hit "ok" to continue. 

6.) Opening the wizard

A new pop up should appear and it will ask if you're sure you want to run this file. Be sure to check that the publisher is "The Tor Project, Inc.". Once you confirm the publisher is correct, hit the "Run" button displayed below. After clicking this button you may have to wait a minute for the Tor wizard to load up.

7.) Completing the Tor Wizard

If you've made it this far, you're almost done! This screen should display two option checkboxes. Keep the top box checked if you wish to run the program once it's finished installing. The second box will add a "Start Tor Browser" icon to your home screen. Both of these checkboxes are completely optional. I personally kept both boxes checked and then hit "Finish". Once the finish button is clicked wait a minute or two for the last pop up page to finish loading in.

8.) Establishing a connection

Unless you live in Egypt, China, or Turkey, the best option is to just hit connect. Don't try to connect to Tor over someone else's wifi. Use your own personal wifi for security and privacy. (McDonald's can see what you do on their wifi!)

9.) Congratulations!

Congratulations! You now have Tor installed on your computer. You are officially free from the government's grasp (for the most part)... But where should you go now? Click here to see where I personally would recommend exploring next.