If you start spending a lot of time in the dark web, I recommend a purpose built laptop. Specifically something used bought with cash, the hard drive removed. You can boot tails using certain USB sticks and sandbox the USB so that no unknown files can be installed on your device. There is a lot of debate about vpns, I was advised NOT to use one. Things may be different now. Also you may want to access the dark web when nobody else is using your internet network.