How to access the dark web, where all sorts of illegal stuff goes down online

Wired describes the deep web most succinctly as a "collection of thousands of websites that use anonymity tools like Tor and I2P to hide their IP address." The key is decentralization, meaning that no regular browser (Chrome, Safari) can access these websites. Instead, the user must obfuscate their online identity in order to be granted access.

To many, the deep web is simply a place to buy bizarre and potentially illegal things. Silk Road was the first website to popularize this method. It trumpeted Tor browsing as the best way to avoid online surveillance. It wasn't just a way to buy illegal goods, but it also deanonymized web browsing as a political ethos.

Beyond illicit marketplaces like Silk Road, there's much more to see. For instance, it's the best way for privacy activists to communicate with each other. There are also numerous online boards, wikis, and chats for people trying to divulge information they don't want associated with their identity.

The best kinds of dark web content are the privacy and ideological discussions.

The deep web first entered the mainstream thanks to the now defunct underground marketplace known as Silk Road. At the time, it was the first online market where people could buy nearly anything — drugs, guns, you name it.

The Snappening — a 2014 scandal where Snapchat users' private photos were put online — was first posted on deep web websites. And the film "Citizenfour" documented how filmmaker Laura Poitras, journalist Glenn Greenwald, and whistleblower Edward Snowden communicated using online deep web-esque tools.

The easiest way to obfuscate your IP address — a precondition for operating the deep web — is to use a tool known as a Tor browser. It was built by a group of volunteers who dub themselves the Tor project. The browser looks similar to any other normal web browser, but it works by sending any online request (i.e. what website you want to browse) to another person's network, which is then sent to another person's network, which is then finally sent to the intended recipient. This means that it's difficult to track precisely who is viewing what website. It also means that the internet runs much slower because every request is being routed to more places than usual.

To download Tor you go to the Tor Project's website and follow the instructions. There are also a bunch of other interesting articles and forums about what the Tor project does and online anonymity in general.

For most people trying to use Tor, you need to click "Connect." However, if you are on an existing network that requires a proxy to access the Tor network, you may need to set up some personal configurations.

For most people this will not be a problem, but if it is you can easily find forums online teaching you to implement a configuration.

Look! That seems like a normal web browser ... but it's also connected to Tor, which means you can now access deep web websites, as well as have relatively more online privacy than before.

Technically, you are now on the deep web. But it also helps to know where to access some of the deeper websites.

Reddit is likely your best bet. It has subreddits dedicated to those hoping to learn the ins and outs out deep web browsing. The most popular are r/onions, r/Tor, and r/deepweb.

The subreddit r/onions is a great resource for finding actual deep web URLs. Sites that can only be accessible on Tor or other decentralized protocols end in ".onion."

This subreddit contains some useful links to a few of the websites around, as well as a bunch of helpful discussions about what's currently going on in these virtual spaces.

A good resource is called the "Hidden Wiki." It attempts to be an updated resource for what's available to browse on the deep web. It links to marketplaces, discussion boards, search engines, financial services, and many other websites.

The URL to the Hidden Wiki has been known to change, but it's not too hard to find by entering a few search terms into the Tor search engine.

Just because you are using a Tor browser does not mean that you are safe and anonymous. A number of methods have been shown to de-anonymize Tor. There a bunch of precautions you can take to further ensure an anonymous browsing experience. The Tor project lists a few of the best practices to follow while using it.

But it's also good to keep in mind that it's hard — perhaps even impossible — to be completely anonymous online.

While the deep web is a truly interesting digital subculture to enter, it can also get frightening. Many people turn to it to sell illegal substances and services, or even post very disturbing imagery.

The deep web positions itself as an almost lawless digital space where nearly anything goes. While you can find places on these sites where real content and discussions are being had, things can get unsettling.

But despite this the deep web is important because it provides privacy and anonymity to users around the world. People use Tor-like programs in countries where censorship is rampant. Other people use these networks and social circles to whistleblow against huge entities.

The best part of this sometimes-eerie subculture is its emphasis on personal liberties, and how it fosters safe digital practices.

Cale Weissman contributed to an earlier version of this post.