Note: This blog on "Launch Your Website on the Darknet: A Beginner's Guide" is intended for educational purposes only. It does not endorse any illegal activities. Proceed with caution and ensure compliance with applicable laws. Warning: Engaging in illegal activities on the darknet may result in severe legal consequences.
Introduction
Welcome to the darker side of the internet, where anonymity reigns and secrets lurk in every corner. In this blog, we'll embark on a spine-chilling journey into the depths of the darknet, uncovering the steps to launch your own website in this mysterious realm. But beware, for the darknet is not for the faint of heart. As we delve into the shadows, prepare to confront the unknown and discover the terrifying truth that lies hidden within. Let's dive in, if you dare...
This blog gives a clear conception of how onion sites work internally. You can create one for free without purchasing a hostname. We'll use Kali for this tutorial, but you can use any Linux OS.
Overview of the Darknet:
The darknet is a hidden part of the internet that operates outside the reach of traditional search engines. Accessible via specialized software like Tor (The Onion Router), it offers users unparalleled privacy and anonymity by routing their internet traffic through a network of encrypted nodes and relays.
Technical Insights into the Tor Network:
The Tor network consists of thousands of volunteer-operated servers, known as nodes, that work together to anonymize internet traffic. When a user connects to the Tor network, their data is encrypted and sent through a series of randomly selected nodes before reaching its destination. These nodes include:
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Entry Nodes: Also known as guard nodes, these are the first nodes in the Tor circuit that receive a user's encrypted data. They act as the entry point to the Tor network and help establish a secure connection between the user and the network.
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Relay Nodes: After passing through the entry node, the encrypted data is relayed through multiple intermediary nodes, known as relay nodes. Each relay node decrypts a layer of encryption to determine the next node in the circuit, making it impossible for any single node to trace the complete path of the data.
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Exit Nodes: Finally, the data reaches an exit node, where it is decrypted and sent out to its destination. While exit nodes play a crucial role in enabling users to access websites on the internet, they also pose a potential privacy risk, as the operator of the exit node can see the unencrypted data passing through it.
Darknet Websites and .onion Addresses:
Websites on the darknet, known as Tor websites or onion services, have addresses that end with ".onion" instead of traditional domain names. These addresses are randomly generated strings of characters, providing an extra layer of anonymity for both the website and its visitors. The cryptographic nature of .onion addresses ensures that they cannot be easily traced back to the server hosting the website, enhancing the privacy and security of users browsing the darknet.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here's your step-by-step guide to hosting a Tor website.
Let's get started.
Step 1: Preparing Your System
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install tor
sudo apt-get install torbrowser-launcher
sudo apt-get install python3Step 2: Creating a directory and HTML file
Open a terminal and make a directory.
mkdir torEnter into the directory:
cd torCreate a html file for the website.
touch index.htmlThen
nano index.htmlPaste this piece of code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Welcome to My Tor Website</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Hello, Dark World!</h1>
<p>Tor, short for The Onion Router, is a powerful tool for preserving online privacy and anonymity. By routing your internet traffic through a network of encrypted nodes, Tor obscures your IP address and shields your online activities from prying eyes. Whether you're exploring the depths of the darknet or simply seeking to protect your digital footprint, Tor empowers you to navigate the internet with confidence and privacy.</p>
</body>
</html>Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+O to write the file and then press Enter. Next, use Ctrl+X to exit
Step 3: Running a Python server on our local machine
Open another terminal and run.
python3 -m http.server --bind 127.0.0.1 8080
-> Leave the terminal open to keep the server running
Now check the website using this URL
http://127.0.0.1:8080/
-> The site is displayed correctly. So, we will move on to the next step.
Step 4: Launching the website into the Tor network
Open another terminal. For the 'tor' location, run:
whereis tor
There will be multiple directories.
Before navigating to the directory /etc/tor, grant your terminal root access.
sudo suThen do
cd /etc/torRun
ls
There will be two files open torrc.
nano torrc
Now, remove # from each of these two line in that file
Change port to 8080 same as our Python server port.
Step 5: Running the service
Open another terminal and enter the command 'sudo su' to switch to the root user.
sudo suGo to this directory
cd /etc/torThen do
sudo tor
Keep the terminal open.
Final step: Retrieving website credentials
Open another terminal ctrl+shift+t
Enter into directory
cd /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/Then do
ls
Run cat
cat hostname
Finally, here is our onion address!!
Now, open the Tor browser and navigate to that onion address.
Our site is now live on the Tor network!
NOTE : You can host the server on any cloud or local PC. The site will remain live as long as our localhost is up and running.
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