It’s critical to maintain perspective. There are a lot of good reasons to use TOR, and doing so does not imply that a person is doing something risky or against the law. To encourage young people to adopt safer online behaviors, it is essential to have open and honest dialogues with them. Tell them you don’t want them exposed to any of the illicit content that is prevalent on the Dark Web. Examine their reasons for wanting to use TOR and talk through all of your alternatives with them. For instance, if their goal is to increase their online anonymity, there could be other approaches you can come toan understanding on.
The freedom of the press is one political issue that many young people are worried about. To bring this topic to light and give students a safe space to ask questions and express their ideas, schools may choose to use discussions of high-profile examples such as Wikileaks. Additionally, there are certain doable actions that can be taken to provide youth with some of the security they might believe the Dark Web offers:
- Encourage young people to use privacy settings on social media, use caution when posting content online, and manage who appears on their contact and friend lists. Our privacy is affected by the information we share online and with whom we share it, as well as by things such as our internet search history. Visit the Thinkuknow website to learn how to manage your online life and explore methods for helping you be safe online.
- Talk about the use of virtual private networks (VPNs). People may use a VPN because they believe it will offer an extra layer of security to their online activity if they are concerned about their privacy and security. Your data is safely encrypted when utilizing a VPN, and your computer will communicate with the internet as though you are connected to a different network.
- Make sure they are aware of where to go if they encounter anything worrying or unsettling when browsing any website. Encourage them to come to you or another adult they trust if theyhave any concerns about anything online. Assist them in understanding how to report if they are concerned about sexual abuse and exploitation online.
Make sure you stay safe if you choose to utilize the Dark Web if you have a valid or necessary reason to do so. Here are some ways to protect yourself when you actually decide to use the Dark Web:
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Trust your intuition: You should safeguard yourself online to avoid falling victim to scams. Everyone is not what they seem to be. You must be cautious about who you speak with and the places you go in order to stay secure. If anything doesn’t feel right, you should always act to get out of the situation.
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Detach your online persona from real life: Never use your login, email address, actual name, password, or even your payment card on any other website. If required, create fresh throwaway accounts and IDs for yourself. Before making any purchases, obtain prepaid debit cards that cannot be traced. Useless information about you should never be shared online or in person.
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Employ active monitoring of identity and financial theft: Identity protection is increasingly a common feature of internet security services for your protection. If these tools are made available to you, make sure you use them.
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Explicitly avoid Dark Web file downloads: The Dark Web is an area where there is no law, thus there is a lot more concern about malware infection there. In the event that you decide to download, real-time file scanning from an antivirus program might assist you in verifying any incoming files.
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Disable ActiveX and Java in any available network settings: These frameworks are infamous for being investigated and abused by bad actors. You should avoid this danger because you are moving via a network that is full of the aforementioned risks.
And remember—most importantly, avoid scammy websites that may put you in trouble.