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A2A While using Tor, is it safe to log into Facebook, Gmail,…

In answering questions about technology, I often start an answer by first asking a question“ What exactly are you trying to accomplish?”

Setting the context of the question is important in answering the question. This is one of those questions.

I can think of many reasons to visit the dark web that aren't necessarily illegal. Maybe there is a secret vault of information, maybe someone wants to share some personal experiences with me, and that person wants to make sure they stay anonymous. Perhaps is it best if they can't trace these secrets back to me once I learn them.

So what exactly are you trying to accomplish?

Keeping your true identity anonymous.

I would use Tor to connect with them. We are not using Facebook or Gmail because our identity can easily be tracked.

A simple analogy for this question.

I was trying to think of a simple analogy for this question, this one may seem a bit odd, but hopefully you see my point.

Think about this question, is it safe to use my 9mm pistol as a hammer to drive nails into a wall?

I guess it is safe to use your 9mm pistol as a hammer to drive nails into a wall, as long as you make sure the gun isn't loaded. But why would use a pistol as a hammer?

Setting the context of the question is important, because you want to use the best tool for the job. The best tool is not always the most convenient.

Someone who is a carpenter could tell you the best size of hammer to use to drive small nails in mounting drywall.

Tor is your 9mm pistol, we use it for protection when we walk down dark alleys. We are using the Tor network because it is the best tool for the job of protecting our identity (rather than using something like Facebook or Gmail).

Getting back to the original question, using Tor, is it safe to log into Facebook, Gmail, if you don't do anything illegal during that session?

Yes, generally speaking it is safe, but personally I would not do it.

I would have a separate computer set up just for my dark web visits. I'm not trying to sound too cloak and dagger here, but I would not mix common clearnet web surfing with my darkweb visits.