Recognize The Signs

Learn to identify indicators of dark
web activity, including .onion links,
PGP usage, marketplaces and
terminology used on the dark web
during surface web investigations.

Access Safely

Download, configure and use the Tor browser for preliminary research
with appropriate operational
security measures in place.

Understand The Landscape

Learn what the dark web is, how it
differs from the surface and deep
web, who operates there, and why it
matters for your investigations.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

This course provides foundational capability for investigators and analysts who encounter dark web elements during their work. 

You will learn to recognise dark web indicators, safely access the Tor network, navigate to known .onion sites, and capture content for intelligence or evidentiary purposes. The course emphasizes risk awareness and basic protective measures ensuring you understand both what you can do and where your operational limits lie.

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE

This course takes approximately 2 hours to complete. The course is entirely self-paced, allowing you to progress through the material at a time and speed that suits your schedule.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

This course is designed for investigators, intelligence analysts, law enforcement personnel, and OSINT practitioners who encounter dark web elements during their work and need foundational capability to recognize, access, and document dark web content safely.

PREREQUISITES

No prior dark web experience is required. This course is suitable for those new to the topic who need practical skills to start exploring the dark web.

No setup is required before you begin. Virtual Machine installation is covered during the course, and is optional for learners who want to access the dark web during the course.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Illuminating the Dark Web is the recommended next step for practitioners who need to go beyond preliminary access.

Digital Footprint Assessment provides deeper grounding in operational security and attribution management, helping you understand how your online activities can expose your identity and intent before undertaking sensitive research.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome to the Dark Web Course

    2. Before We Begin

    3. Introduction to the Darknet

    4. Surface, Deep and Darkweb

    5. What is Tor

    6. Other Darknets

    7. Use and Scale

    8. Who Uses and Why

    9. Why It Matters for Investigations

    10. Quiz: An Overview of Tor and Other Dark Nets.

    1. Common Risks and Mistakes

    2. Preliminary Research Principles

    3. Encountering Illegal Material — What To Do

    4. Reporting Resources by Jurisdiction

    5. Looking After Yourself

    6. Check Your Organisational Policy

    7. Quiz: Risks and Protective Measures

    1. Identifying .onion Links

    2. Understanding PGP in Context

    3. Escrow and Marketplace Indicators

    4. Darkweb Terminology and Subcultures

    5. Quiz: Recognising Darkweb Activity

    1. Setting Up a Virtual Machine (VM)

    2. VM Options and Setup Orientation

    3. Downloading and Configuring Tor Browser

    4. Network and Client Attribution Basics

    1. Google Dorking for .onion References

    2. Using Reddit for Darkweb References

    3. Using Darkweb Directories

    4. Managing Bookmarks

    5. Quiz: Finding Darkweb Content

    1. Basic Screenshot Methods

    2. Recording What You Find

    3. When to Escalate

    4. Quiz: Capturing and When to Escalate

About this course

  • $99.00
  • 37 lessons
  • 1.5 hours of video content