How to Host Your Own Anonymous Website on the Dark Web for Free
This article will guide you through creating your own dark web website, complete with a free domain and hosting. The first step involves downloading the necessary software.
Required Software: The Tor Browser
Begin by searching for and downloading the Tor Browser. You can find the appropriate version for your operating system (such as macOS, Windows, or Linux) on its official website. Proceed to download the installation file.
Once the Tor Browser is downloaded, open the file and follow the installation instructions for your system. After installation, you can open the browser. While it may look like a simple browser, it is a powerful and essential tool for accessing the dark web.
Required Software: OnionShare
Next, you will need to download a server application called OnionShare. Navigate to onionshare.org and download the correct version for your operating system. After the download is complete, locate the OnionShare file and run the installer.
With both the Tor Browser and OnionShare installed, you are ready to proceed. Opening OnionShare presents several options, including sharing files, receiving files, chatting anonymously, and, most importantly for this guide, hosting a website.
Preparing Your Website Content
For this demonstration, we will use a sample online store website. You can use any static website you have created. The example site includes standard files like index.html, a shop details page, and other assets. You can modify the HTML to add your own products and information.
Publishing Your Anonymous Website
To publish the website for free so that anyone can access it, follow these steps:
- Open the OnionShare application.
- Navigate to the "Host a Website" tab.
- Drag and drop all your website's individual files (like
index.html) and folders (likecss,images,js, etc.) directly into the OnionShare window. Ensure all necessary files and folders are included.
Once your files and folders are added, simply click the "Start sharing" button. After a few moments, OnionShare will generate a unique .onion address for your site. This is the public address that anyone can use to visit your website through the Tor Browser.
Accessing Your Dark Web Site
Copy the generated .onion address. It's important to note that this address will not work in standard browsers like Chrome or Firefox. You must use the Tor Browser to access it.
Paste the address into the Tor Browser's address bar, and your website will load. This method provides a domain and hosting at no cost, and the site's location is obfuscated, making it difficult to trace. The platform can be used for selling legal goods and services anonymously.
Managing Your Live Site
To take your website offline, simply click the "Stop sharing" button in OnionShare. Access to the site will be immediately cut off. This is because the website is hosted directly from your computer; your machine acts as the server. Therefore, to keep the website live, your computer must remain on and connected to the internet with OnionShare running.
By clicking "Start sharing" again, the site becomes accessible to anyone in the world with the address and the Tor Browser. OnionShare also offers several advanced features, such as scheduling when your site is available. To update your site's content, you just need to modify the local files and restart the share.
Important Security Considerations
It is crucial not to misuse this method. For security reasons, it is advisable not to host a public-facing anonymous service from your personal computer. When you are finished or no longer need the site to be live, always remember to click "Stop sharing" and close the application to ensure your server is no longer accessible.