Things You Can Do on the Dark Web That Are Not Illegal
The dark web isn’t just about buying drugs and hiring assassins . It’s a huge network of websites and communities that exists outside of mainstream internet culture, and there is plenty to do on the dark web without breaking any laws, from book clubs to preparing for crises.
Here are some of the weirdest and most disruptive dark websites that won’t lead a team of federal agents to you.
What is the dark web and how is it different from the deep web?
Before we dive in, it’s worth clarifying this. The two terms “deep web” and “dark web” are often confused, but the difference between them is quite simple.
The deep web refers to anything that you cannot access on a search engine, either because it is password protected or because it is buried deep within a regular website. The dark web is part of a deep web that you can only access with a special browser like Tor to mask your IP address. This includes illegal markets such as the infamous Silk Road, as well as many other less objectionable websites.
Below are some of the more useful darknet offerings – although you need to download Tor to access them.
Join the book club
Reading communities have been an integral part of the dark web for years. Even Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht (aka Dread Pirate Roberts) had a hidden web page where people discussed literary classics like Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man , along with more controversial materials like The Anarchist Cookbook .
Ulbricht’s Online Book Club is no longer operational, but there are plenty of other options on the dark web, including sites like the Jotanbein Reading Club and Trantor’s Imperial Library . Most of these sites download illegal copies of popular books, but you can also find lively discussions and some useful non-copyrighted reading material.
If you’re looking for something less intelligent, Motherboard also recommends The Stories Blog , a dark website where people share real and fictional whipping stories.
Prepare for the end of the world
If you’re surfing the dark web looking for more specific information, take a look at the Strategic Intelligence Network . It is filled with information on how to deal with any crisis on Earth, from natural disasters to riots or all-out war.
If you’re still not satisfied, head over to Hidden Answers , basically the darknet version of Yahoo Answers with topics like government, law and financial services, and drugs and erotica, according to MakeUseOf . The darknet even has its own news portal, Flashlight, dedicated to bitcoin, online privacy and similar topics. In fact, you can test Flashlight without a dedicated browser right here .
Get social
The dark web is very similar to the regular Internet we know and love, only with a higher percentage of anarchists. It has its own email, social media, and even online games.
If you’re looking for a super secure email provider, check out AnonInbox , which charges a fraction of bitcoin per year and promises complete privacy in return. According to Dark Web News, there is also Operation Genesis, a social network with hundreds of thousands of users. Finally, go to TheChess, to compete with players from around the world in the classic board game.
There is plenty to do on the dark web, but these sites should help you get a taste of what the lighter side of the dark side of the internet has to offer without risking jail time.