Another great source to find and explore dark web marketplaces or other sections is to visit Reddit’s resourceful forum. You can look for information on /r/deepweb, /r/TOR, or /r/onions, of which the latter is useful to find hidden wikis and more. Many of these Reddits have rules prohibiting linking to illegal sites and services, so you likely won’t find anything illegal there. The dark web hosts a variety of content, including secure email services, news outlets, educational resources like Sci-Hub, and privacy tools. Ahmia primarily indexes .onion sites on the dark web, not both surface and dark web content. It is specifically designed to make hidden services on the Tor network more accessible.
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You don’t need special tools or a special browser like you need to access the dark web (more about that later). Anyone can access the deep web by using specialized search engines, dedicated web directories, and other sources that can help you find the data or information. The dark web offers access to unique information and resources you won’t find on the surface web, but staying safe should always come first when choosing a search engine. Different dark web search engines cater to various needs, offering varying levels of privacy, security, and ease of use. The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t accessible with regular browsers or search engines like Google and Bing.
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However, it has a sneak peek, easy guide steps, and/or a quick list providing quick in-page navigations and easily-found answers if desired. In addition to this, the anonymity provided by the dark web makes it very easy for a website to distribute malware or disappear with any payments you made to it without fear of consequence. For maximum anonymity, you should never install additional Firefox add-ons, and should use the default browser window size. By doing these things, you make your Tor Browser look like every other Tor Browser, minimizing websites’ ability to fingerprint(new window) you. Dark websites, on the other hand, can only be accessed with Tor (or something similar). Despite multiple attempts to break Tor (some of which have had some partial success), it remains by far the best way to achieve true anonymity on the internet.

The original (linked below) is still considered the most reliable, so try to avoid counterfeit versions. Just remember to proceed with caution because you should only use services you feel comfortable with, and that have a low risk of leading to scams or illicit content. For this reason, it is always better to use a trustworthy VPN for Tor while accessing the Dark Web, as this will provide a robust additional layer of privacy. The Tor network is designed to provide you with privacy and anonymity. That said, most experts agree that at least some nodes on the Tor network have been compromised by intelligence agencies like the CIA and the NSA.
Cryptocurrency Services
The dark web draws not only serious cyber criminals but also law enforcement agents aiming to catch them. Many exit nodes are actually operated by law enforcement and scammers. All you need to do is click connect and you are officially connected to the Tor network and can now access dark web websites.
If you’re new to the deep/dark web, DuckDuckGo’s onion link should be your first port of call. This parent site gives access to all other dark websites through a simple search. Click its “Onionize” button to search the onion links for any other dark web websites. To make its journalism more accessible to readers around the world, the New York Times launched its onion service in 2017. You won’t find any “hidden” stories here—it’s the same content as the normal web edition—but users in countries with government censorship will appreciate having a secure way to access it.
Is It Illegal To Visit Onion Sites?
You can also find email messages, online bank statements, and much more information on the deep web – information that is usually private and inaccessible by the public on the surface web. So, that means that the number of pages increased by over 100 trillion in just over three years. Hypothetically speaking, Google may be aware of well over 200 trillion individual pages (these are obviously NOT all indexed in the search engine). So, sites that contain a domain extension like .com, .org, .net, .biz, .info, etc. can be found on the surface web.
What Is The Purpose Of Using A VPN When Accessing The Dark Web?
Therefore, the legality of the dark web will mainly depend on how you use it. You can quickly get into trouble for acting illegally, such as infringing on other people’s safety and freedom. The system is designed to provide enhanced security and privacy features. Its key features include kernel hardening, application firewall, package security, filesystem encryption, meta-proxy encryption, and binary integrity. The creators assert that because their technique is so strong, even malware with root access could not determine the machine’s IP address. I2P, or the Invisible Internet Project, allows you to access the ordinary and dark web.
What Services And Tools Are Available On The Dark Web?
Together, these tools facilitate safer, more private financial exchanges essential for dark web commerce. Whistleblower platforms enable confidential document submission without compromising the identity of sources. GlobaLeaks is an open-source platform designed for NGOs and media to create customizable submission portals, emphasizing decentralization and anonymity. StrongBox adds advanced metadata stripping and encrypted messaging features, increasing whistleblower protection.
Additionally, we provide detailed descriptions and safety advice for each link, empowering users to make informed decisions. Unlike many alternatives that allow user submissions without thorough vetting, we prioritize quality over quantity to maintain a safer browsing experience. Our dedication to transparency and user security makes our directory a superior choice for navigating the dark web in 2025. Because the Hidden Wiki aggregates many links, it often contains outdated or malicious URLs disguised as legitimate ones. This makes blindly clicking links risky and requires users to exercise caution when navigating these directories.
- To learn how to safely access the Dark Web sites listed above, read our Dark Web Access Guide here.
- However, not all books on this site are legally available, so they don’t have copyrights.
- Other dark web search engines include Not Evil, Torch, Haystack, and Ahmia.
- A VPN protects your connection against everyone, not just your ISP and the authorities.
- It’s not a secret that ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and the FBI are tracking Tor users.
Accessing CSAM websites would raise ethical, safety, and legal concerns, even in the context of academic research. Because dark web sites can only be reached with a dark web browser like Tor browser, the best dark web sites, best onion sites, and best Tor websites are all one and the same. And because they aren’t searchable via Google or Bing, onion site lists are important roadmaps to help users find what they’re looking for on the dark web. To access them, you usually need the actual link and proper authentication, including repositories, member platforms, company databases, or de-indexed sites. It is a private search engine that lets you search the regular internet via Tor.

Don’t click on suspicious links, be skeptical of what you read, and avoid dark web marketplaces if you don’t want to stumble on illegal activity or content. The dark web contains content that’s only accessible through networks like Tor. Tor browsers create encrypted entry points and pathways for the user, so dark web activity remains anonymous. The encryption technology routes users’ data through a large number of intermediate servers, which protects the users’ identity and guarantees anonymity. While you don’t need to log in to access any of the dark web links listed here, you can’t find them with a search engine like Google. The only way to access the dark web is by using the correct browser and knowing the URLs of the pages you want to visit.

Install The Tor Browser
As always, use Tor Links with care, as it includes onion links to dubious or illegal activity. The dark web, often shrouded in mystery and fascination, holds a myriad of secrets beneath its encrypted layers. Contrary to the common perception that it’s a breeding ground for illicit activities, it can actually be a valuable resource for those seeking anonymity and privacy online. These links serve as gateways to the hidden layers of the internet, accessible only through specialized browsers like Tor. Law enforcement agencies are working collaboratively to investigate and dismantle networks engaged in the distribution and consumption of CP. Prevention and education initiatives aim to raise awareness about the consequences of engaging with CP and promote responsible internet use.