We review and list tools and products without bias, regardless of potential commissions. Radar Rundown Free firewall software allow privacy ethusuiasts to secure their network and block mal… We recommend installing a premium antivirus program for optimal protection against malware infections. We also made sure to select only sites that have been around for a considerable amount of time without being taken down or being the subject of any privacy or security scandals.

FAQ: More About Onion Sites
It doesn’t track searches or store personal data, making it a strong option for users seeking more anonymous private browsing. However, DuckDuckGo doesn’t index dark web content — it only accesses surface and deep web sites through Tor. I2P is a private network built for secure, anonymous communication.
Private Internet Access
In the summer of 2017, a team of cyber cops from three countries successfully shut down AlphaBay, the dark web’s largest source of contraband, sending shudders throughout the network. Buy login credentials to a $50,000 Bank of America account, counterfeit $20 bills, prepaid debit cards, or a “lifetime” Netflix premium account. By following these straightforward steps, you significantly reduce the risk of exposure, protect your digital identity, and ensure a secure and anonymous browsing experience on the Dark Web.
Regularly Verify And Bookmark Reliable Links

It aims to preserve the internet’s scientific and cultural heritage. The Tor Metrics is a good place to get more information about the Tor project. It collects data from the public Tor network and archives historical data of the Tor ecosystem. SecureDrop is a dark web link that allows whistleblowers on the dark web to communicate and share information with journalists safely and without being tracked.

This encryption and relaying of your browsing data prevents anyone who is watching from detecting which websites you are visiting. Check onion links through trusted directories, user reviews, and reputation checks. Use directories like The Hidden Wiki or Dark.fail, which list verified and regularly updated onion links. Install Tor Browser from the official website, adjust security settings to “Safer” or “Safest,” and only use trusted onion links from verified directories. Facebook’s onion version lets people access Facebook in countries where access to the social network is otherwise restricted.
More Security Articles
First, check out our beginner’s guide on how to use Tor, then come back when you’re ready to get started. We’re a nonprofit organization and rely on supporters like you to help us keep Tor robust and secure for millions of people worldwide. And if you liked this article, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for more cybersecurity news and topics. You should stay away from everything labeled “porn”, “card skimming services”, “PayPal hacks”, “firearms”, “real fake IDs and passports”.
Who Created Tor?
Obviously not all Tor users, but you never know whether someone might be looking into you. It’s important to arm yourself with a good VPN (Virtual Private Network) when you want to enter the dark web to protect your privacy and anonymity. Hacker services against banks and other financial institutions are offered there. Lastly, the dark web is also used by activists and revolutionaries (like Anonymous). The dark web serves as a platform where activists can organize gatherings in secret, without the fear of giving away their plans or position to the government.

Use Encrypted Communication Apps

Click its “Onionize” button to search the onion links for any other dark web websites. If you’re having trouble accessing a website via Tor, it could be that a node, especially the exit node, has a problem connecting to the site. We discussed how some websites block Tor traffic entirely; they do this by blocking IP addresses known to be Tor exit nodes.
Yes, Tor-capable browsers are available for both major mobile platforms, Android and iOS. Unfortunately, the dark web is also where underground marketplaces flourish, selling drugs, weapons, stolen IDs and credit cards, and other ill-gotten goods. It is also used to facilitate human trafficking, money laundering, and worse.
It’s extremely rare and only useful in very specific cases, like if your VPN is only accessible through Tor. With this setup, your ISP sees Tor usage, and your VPN provider sees the final traffic after it leaves Tor. With this setup, you connect to your VPN first, then open Tor Browser. That means your ISP only sees encrypted VPN traffic and can’t tell you’re using Tor.
These search engines allow users to access onion dark web pages without setting up expermental labs or using specialized equipments. Several dark web search engines allow people to explore this hidden part of the internet. However, since the dark web is also used for criminal activities, it is not advisable to visit and surf this part of the internet. One can also find drugs, crime services, stolen cards, and other illicit activities being offered by hackers.
- It’s huge, making up about 90% of the internet, but it’s mostly mundane, hidden behind login screens for privacy and security.
- This makes them a safer (though still not foolproof) option for searching the Dark Web.
- Here’s a clear overview of four trusted search engines that can help you navigate the hidden corners of the internet.
- To access .onion websites securely, you’ll need the Tor Browser, a privacy-focused tool designed specifically for anonymous browsing.
- A number of dark webs exist, including Freenet(new window) and I2P(new window), but the best known and most popular is Tor Onion Services(new window).
The place is as messy and chaotic as you would expect when everyone is anonymous, and a substantial minority are out to scam others. The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden, requiring a specific browser—Tor—to access, as explained below. No one really knows the size of the dark web, but most estimates put it at around 5% of the total internet. Again, not all the dark web is used for illicit purposes despite its ominous-sounding name. That’s why security teams need continued visibility into the dark web which enables them to mitigate the risk of data leaks, preventing further damage. Cybercriminals often leverage the anonymity to leak sensitive information, like stolen credentials, credit card numbers, or company data.
- Many people see hacked information and stolen card data being sold on the dark web.
- Visit it to find out about Dark website closures, arrests, drug seizures, and other news topics related to the dark web and its use.
- In addition to helping you avoid tracking, surveillance, censorship and keeping anonymous on the web, adding your own traffic through Tor’s network helps make Tor more effective for all its users.
- Once you feel ready and comfortable navigating this hidden part of the internet, you can take the next step and use our dark web search engine at the homepage to explore even more sites.
- Awazon became the successor of the popular AlphaBay market, which the authorities shut down successfully in July 2023.
NordVPN also includes Double VPN servers to double your encryption and make you untraceable. One of its key benefits is unlimited bandwidth, which sounds awesome and allows for unlimited dark web browsing. Just for laughs and giggles, we visited this random pug’s ultimate guide to the dark web.
The Hidden Wiki doesn’t discriminate, so if you randomly start diving into the onion sites listed, you may come across objectionable or dangerous material. The Dark Web may have a sordid reputation, but there’s plenty of legitimate websites out there for people who just want to browse anonymously. After all, journalists, human rights organizations, and various other institutions maintain a Dark Web mirror of their primary indexed website. We’ve compiled an up-to-date list of the best onion sites so you can get a taste of what’s out there. By following these guidelines, you can safely explore the dark web and its plethora of .onion sites, unlocking a world where privacy and freedom are at the forefront.