Deep Web Searches: Top Databases & More

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Quickstart guide to navigating the Deep Web
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Search engines such as Google index well over a trillion pages on the World Wide Web, but there is information on the web that common search engines don't reach. Most of this is in databases of information that need to be searched directly from the specific website. Read on to learn more about searching the Deep Web.

Deep Web Searching

Searching the Deep Web isn't as dangerous as searching the Dark Web. All you need to do is find and use a Deep Web database like https://doaj.org/ to find information not searchable in normal search engines.

Section 1 of 6:

Popular Deep Web Databases

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  1. Academic databases contain resources that normal search engines don't index. Many excellent databases contain peer-reviewed and academic data that aren't fully searchable on Google or Bing, including
    • USA.gov - Find information about government jobs, loans, grants, taxes, and more. Most of this information is not available when you search Google, but it is invaluable if you need information about local, federal, state, or tribal government.
    • DOAJ - Find all the public academic journals you want with this database. There are over 20,000 journals spanning lots of different subjects! Although you can use Google Scholar to find some free journals, you won't be able to discover everything that the DOAJ offers.
    • Project Muse - Find and read peer-reviewed academic journal articles and e-books about the humanities.
    • Voice of the Shuttle - Find more humanities-focused resources curated by humans who share helpful and interesting Deep Web content.
    • Library of Congress's Digital Collections - Find hundreds of manuscripts, photos, videos, articles, and other historical information you won't find in Google.
    • National Archives Catalog search - Find multiple archives, including documents uploaded by citizen archivists. [1]
    • https://veridiansoftware.com/collections/ - This is a great database for researchers, historians, and students. It offers a great selection of all the historical newspapers from all over the world. Most of these newspapers aren't available from a simple Google search; you need to use this database to read them.
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Section 2 of 6:

Tips to Find Other Deep Web Databases

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  1. 1
    Locate databases with an ordinary search engine. You can use an ordinary search engine to find a "wildlife database," "hip hop database," or a similar term. Because the information in these databases can only be accessed by typing in a search term, most search engine bots cannot find it, making that information part of the "deep web."
  2. 2
    Use a more specialized search for databases. The Internet Public Library is no longer up and running; however, you can still use it even though it's not being updated. You can visit https://humboldtgov.org/243/Specialized-Search-Engines-and-Databases to locate a specialized search engine for finding databases and information on a specific topic only.
  3. 3
    Research using the computer at an academic library. Libraries, especially ones attached to colleges and universities, often subscribe to a large number of pay-to-use databases, which contain information not found on ordinary search engines. Ask a librarian which databases they have available. You may even be able to access these databases using your library card information, but this depends on the specific library and database owner.
  4. 4
    Browse the Internet Archive. The Internet Archive project attempts to collect digital information to preserve long-term. Browse its many collections to find archives of websites that have since vanished, difficult-to-find video and audio clips, and even online copies of early video game systems.
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Section 3 of 6:

Deep Web vs. Dark Web

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  1. Visualize the web as an iceberg: there are three levels:
    • Surface Web is what you can see; it's the indexed information in Google or in your search engine. It's what you normally access.
    • Deep Web is inacessible by a normal search engine prompt; this information is not indexed and you'll need to use a specific database to find this information.
    • Dark Web is full of unsearchable and encrypted information. You will need to use a Tor browser to view information on the Dark Web; however, visiting the Dark Web is not an easy task for people who aren't experts in internet security.
Section 4 of 6:

Tips to Stay Safe on the Dark Web

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  1. 1
    Use an anonymous browser. Adjust Tor's security settings to their highest level for optimal privacy and safety.
  2. 2
    Don't buy or download anything. Entering your payment information on the deep web can result in getting scammed, so just don't do it. Downloading runs the risk of getting malware, so avoid doing that too.
  3. 3
    Keep your computer updated. Updates also come with security patches so any vulnerabilities in your system are protected.
    • Windows 10 : Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates . Note that Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates after October 14, 2025.
    • Windows 11: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates . [2]
    • Mac : Open System Settings and go to General > Software Update . [3]
  4. 4
    Don't follow links you don't trust. Clicking an unknown link could end up exposing you to content that you don't want to see.
  5. 5
    Use a VPN. A virtual privacy network is another great way to protect yourself when you're online. You can find one online, like NordVPN, to use and protect yourself online .
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Section 5 of 6:

Searching the Dark Web

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  1. 1
    Download and use the Tor web browser. Go to https://www.torproject.org/download/ to download one of the best web browsers that protects your privacy and security. You need it to visit .onion links.
    • Tor works by rerouting your connection through multiple nodes to keep users, like yourself, anonymous.
  2. 2
    Choose a dark web search engine. The next section in this article suggests a few. Each search engine functions a little differently, so you'll need different ones for different searches.
  3. 3
    Access .onion URLs. With Tor, you can access .onion links, which are considered dark web links.
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Section 6 of 6:

Best Dark Web Search Engines

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  1. Torch and Haystack are the best uncensored search engines. Navigating the dark web with these search engines is very risky, however, if you're not an expert in staying safe. Much of the dark web is populated with scammers, phishers, and lots of bad actors.
    • You'll want to know how to avoid scams , get rid of malware , and stay safe on the Internet .
    • Here are some things to watch out for:
      • Scam sites: - sites asking for your financial info or for you to make a payment to proceed.
      • Malware: - downloading anything from the deep web is risky and has a chance of containing malicious software.
      • Illegal content: - using uncensored search engines comes with a chance of encountering violent or explicit content, including drugs, weapons, gore, and more.
      • Phishing attacks: - some websites can copy official websites to trick you into giving your personal information.

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  • Question
    Why should I cover my webcam when browsing?
    Community Answer
    This is so that no one can hack into your webcam and see who you are, what you are doing, or even take snapshots or videos of you.
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  • Question
    Is the deep web dangerous?
    Community Answer
    Not all of the deep web is dangerous. The illegal part of the deep web is normally known as the Dark Web, and those parts of the web are more likely to get you hacked than some places on the deep web and if you use those. If you're planning to venture through the deep web, get some extra software that will protect you more then Tor or Tails will. Keep your webcam covered at all times while browsing and make sure your IP can't be traced. Not all horror stories about the deep web are true, and there are some good parts of it, i.e the hacker sites whose goals are to take down sick and twisted sites. Try to stay on the bright side of the deep web, and don't go to suspicious links.
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    Can you still get hacked on the safe side of the deep web?
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    Yes, you are never protected 100% from being hacked.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.archives.gov/research/catalog/help/using
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/install-windows-updates-3c5ae7fc-9fb6-9af1-1984-b5e0412c556a
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108382

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To search the deep web, you'll have to install a browser that can open ".onion" links, such as Tor. After installing such a browser, you can use a deep web search engine such as Torch ( http://xmh57jrzrnw6insl.onion/ ) or TorSearch ( http://kbhpodhnfxl3clb4.onion/ ) to look for deep web content.

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