Here’s the most common and safe way to access the dark web — a Tor-Over-VPN connection. The dark web is an encrypted part of the internet you can only access with a special web browser (Tor Browser). Websites on the dark web aren’t indexed like they are on the regular surface web. Unlike Ahmia and Haystak, however, DuckDuckGo doesn’t search .onion sites. Use it to search the normal internet from the privacy of your Tor Browser. Torch is one of the oldest and most popular onion search engines on the dark web, serving over 80,000 requests per day.

Perform an IP leak check

There are also many tools that can be use to monitor the dark web and scan for personally identifiable information and even respond to attacks. If you love reading and are searching for a new database for free books, you’ll love the Imperial Library. The only thing is, you can’t just access Riseup, you need an invitation code to set up an account.

• Facebook’s onion mirror allows people to access it in countries that block the platform, allowing people to connect across digital borders.
• To make its journalism more accessible to readers around the world, the New York Times launched its onion service in 2017.
• 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.
• There are several whistleblower sites, including a dark web version of Wikileaks.
• We’ve compiled an up-to-date list of the best onion sites so you can get a taste of what’s out there.
• But the truth is the majority of links on The Hidden Wiki are criminal sites, crypto scams, or carry malware.

A modern VPN service is not what you think it is

You can check out this guide on the best antivirus software applications today. ActiveX and Java frameworks are susceptible to being exploited by hackers. Since you are navigating in uncharted territories with all the myriad threats today, you’ll have to disable them in your network settings to stay safe. Since malware lingers across the dark web, your device can easily become infected, even if you are an unsuspecting user. In some countries, evading government restrictions to seek new political ideologies is punishable.

Does Tor hide your IP address?

ZeroBin is another great Tor service that helps maintain anonymity and privacy by offering an encrypted pastebin service. Pastebins are text sharing services, usually for sending and sharing text snippets. ZeroBin encrypts and decrypts text in the browser, so their servers have no way of knowing what’s happening on the browser side. A VPN adds another layer of anonymity to your traffic with a Tor-over-VPN connection, encrypting your traffic before you use Tor. It masks your IP address and traffic before you’ve even opened up the Tor browser. This stops malicious actors from intercepting your connection, especially cybercriminals lurking on Tor relay nodes.

How can you detect and avoid malicious dark web links?

However, you can find legitimate content and activities here, too. For example, you can find information unavailable to the public and share data privately while protecting your online identity. Note that most dark web transactions are carried out using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. It is easily accessible by the general public and requires no special configuration.

Heisenberg Dependency Health Check – GitHub Action for Supply Chain Risk

Using the ProtonMail .onion site offers security and privacy advantages. Moreover, the company also uses HTTPS and SSL encryption on the Onion site for extra protection. This makes it even harder for third parties to see your email traffic.

Stay up-to-date with KELA news and insights

The dark web news site Deep.Dot.Web teems with stories of buyers who have been arrested or jailed for attempted purchases. The dark web has flourished thanks to bitcoin, the crypto-currency that enables two parties to conduct a trusted transaction without knowing each other’s identity. “Bitcoin has been a major factor in the growth of the dark web, and the dark web has been a big factor in the growth of bitcoin,” says Tiquet.

• Unlike many dark web platforms, it maintains strict content guidelines while protecting user privacy.
• The good news is that the BBC Onion site is an international edition.
• It indexes sites by crawling hidden .onion pages on the Tor network, so you can track down hard-to-find websites easily.
• Then, use data breach monitoring software to help find out if your personal data has leaked onto the dark web.
• It currently has over 80 million scientific documents to sift through.
• Each takedown affects the wider ecosystem by spreading distrust across other marketplaces.
• It was created to help circumvent government censorship in places where access to the BBC is limited or prohibited.

The Top 11 Dark Web Links to Visit & How to Access Them Safely

This guide covers dark web basics including what it is, its history, and the risks of visiting the dark web. I’ll also discuss how to access the dark web safely with a VPN and give you some dark web links to visit. The deep web is the part of the internet you can’t access through search engines like Google and Bing. Also referred to as “non-indexed” content, it’s any content hidden behind some kind of access control such as a log-in or code word. It contains 7,500 terabytes of information, compared with only 19 terabytes of information in the “surface” web. To look at it in a different way, it makes up between 90% and 95% of the internet.

Can I access dark web websites on mobile?

However, Ahmia doesn’t have a large developer supporting it, so it’s been the target of scams or cyberattacks in the past. Wikipedia manages one of the best Tor sites for encyclopedic knowledge. The dark web exists inside layered proxy networks, known as darknets. Tor, darknet marketplaces 2026 or “The Onion Router” is by far the largest of these darknets. BBC Tor Mirror has one international site, alongside individual pages for specific countries, including Ukraine and Russia. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Deep and the Dark web are the hidden part of the internet.

Cyble Titan Endpoint Security

When you go to the regular site, Tor Browser will show a purple pill in the address bar that says .onion available. Deep Web Radio is a dark web–based streaming platform that plays a wide range of music genres around the clock. It allows users to listen anonymously, making it a unique entertainment option within the privacy-focused dark web environment. Plus, in giving individuals access, they have validated the use of Tor as a secure means to communicate anonymously in high-risk situations.

• “The Tor network is another network which sits on top of the TCP/IP internet, stitching the participating computers together into a wholly new network ‘space’, not IPv4, not IPv6, but ‘Onion Space’.”
• The website’s articles focus on digital rights, surveillance, and security research.
• Tor and I2P are the two commonly used tools for accessing the dark web to provide anonymity.
• This makes it a great place for activists to convene and share ideas.

Reddit is also a valuable resource for finding the dark net or deep website you’re looking for. Instead of “.com” or “.org”, dark web addresses can be distinguished by the top-level domain, “.onion“. NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for the dark web with no restrictions for a month—great if you want to try this no-log provider’s Onion over VPN servers for yourself. Remember that your security is only as strong as your weakest link – one small oversight can compromise your entire privacy setup. However, it’s very difficult and would require extensive resources, meaning that the average person’s identity is unlikely to be uncovered.

SecureDrop

Each marketplace was assessed based on visibility over time, reported activity levels, and documented events such as shutdowns, scams, or seizures. Patterns in trust systems, operational behavior, and longevity were also considered. Transactions rely on cryptocurrencies to avoid traditional financial systems. Errors in handling or monitoring often expose transaction trails.

Hackers Using Teams to Deliver Malicious Content Posing as Microsoft Services

The platform supports various hosting plans, including shared and VPS hosting, and has served thousands of clients looking for private hosting options. Impreza Hosting also includes features like DDoS protection and cryptocurrency payment support. Once installed, the browser functions like a regular web browser. However, finding information can be challenging as the dark web doesn’t use a centralized index to locate content. Instead, users rely on dark web search engines like DuckDuckGo or directories, such as the Hidden Wiki and its offshoots, to find .onion websites. But privacy is fragile – using a VPN alongside Tor and maintaining strict security habits is crucial.

It often hosts copyrighted materials without permission, violating many countries’ copyright laws. Downloading or distributing such material is against the law and can have legal consequences. That’s why it’s important to verify links through trusted directories and proceed with caution. No, it isn’t illegal to browse the dark web, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with visiting a Tor website. Stay private with a tool like Surfshark’s Alternative ID to mask your contact details and use generated data on sites you don’t trust. Given the above threats, it’s a good idea to use Tor over a VPN to access the dark web.

Sure, you can use other cryptocurrencies if Bitcoin’s not your cup of tea. You should stay away from everything labeled “porn”, “card skimming services”, “PayPal hacks”, “firearms”, “real fake IDs and passports”. Believe me – there are plenty to go around and each and every one of them are being kept under surveillance. Not to mention the fact that you’ll get exposed to some stuff that will definitely make you take several cold showers. Fortunately, in Hidden Wiki, every website is followed by a brief description so that the user knows what to expect.

A lot of transactions are handled via cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which is relatively (but not completely) private and anonymous. Another private cryptocurrency you’ll find being used is Monero, which prides itself on being untraceable. The dark web, for the uninitiated among you, is a virtual neighborhood beyond the borders of the normal, everyday internet (which includes the website you’re looking at right now).

• Once you have those, there are several ways to tunnel through the dark web.
• While using the dark web may seem suspect on the surface, it is perfectly legal, and there are many legitimate uses of Tor and anonymous browsing.
• Dark net websites are called “Tor hidden services“, and they can be distinguished from normal websites by their URLs.
• Hidden Facebook is hardly the only social media client on the dark web.
• Despite some skepticism about its origins and privacy due to its military development, Tor remains the preferred choice for safe dark web navigation.
• Instead, it focuses on publishing stories and holding powerful institutions accountable.
• Since malware lingers across the dark web, your device can easily become infected, even if you are an unsuspecting user.

Software

Choose a VPN provider that maintains a strict no-logs policy and offers advanced features like kill switches and DNS leak protection. This combination of Tor and VPN creates a robust security framework that significantly reduces the risk of exposure. Dark web browsers and search engines do a lot of work to mask user identities, but you’re never completely untraceable. Not to mention that anonymity safeguards won’t protect you from other threats like hacking and malware. Encrypted communication channels on the dark web allow users to message back and forth in an anonymous online environment. However, some surface web platforms like ProtonMail offer encrypted email services in addition to dark web versions that enable people residing in more repressive areas to communicate freely.

Medical records, fee-based content, membership websites, and confidential corporate web pages are just a few examples of what makes up the deep web. Estimates place the size of the deep web at between 96% and 99% of the internet. Only a tiny portion of the internet is accessible through a standard web browser—generally known as the “clear web”. Riseup is a malware-protected email and chat service that doesn’t keep records of your activity.

Some services are genuine; you can get what you want at an agreed fee. It’s important to note that although the dark web has many valuable services, it is also a hangout for cybercriminals. Overall, Subgraph OS is a secure and privacy-focused operating system well-suited for high-risk environments. Additionally, you can opt for Subgraph OS as a second option to Tor. While it might appear tempting to venture into the dark web, it’s crucial to understand that the risks here are far more severe compared to the deep web. Therefore, if you do decide to explore it, exercise extreme caution.

This means your ISP can’t see that you’re accessing the dark web (or indeed, the specific sites you’re accessing). Among the various tools available, specialized browsers designed for darknet access stand out as the most crucial components of your security toolkit. These browsers incorporate multiple layers of encryption and routing protocols to protect user identity and data. Some browsers even include built-in security features like script blocking and automatic HTTPS enforcement to enhance protection against potential threats. The difference between the dark web and the deep web is that the deep web refers to websites and web pages that aren’t indexed by search engines, like login pages and payment portals.

The links shared in this guide were working during testing, but legitimate services occasionally move to new URLs to enhance security. I recommend bookmarking verified links rather than relying on search results. Avoid entering any real personal details or using existing accounts on dark web sites.

The 2025 DBIR found that 30% of infostealer-compromised systems were enterprise devices. Those credentials went straight to criminals without passing through searchable dark web sites. This isolates your research from your primary systems and makes cleanup straightforward. Many security teams maintain separate hardware for this purpose. The Tor Browser’s security settings allow disabling JavaScript entirely.

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that works as Tor browser’s primary search engine. 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. Its primary value lies in its attempt to keep its listed links up-to-date and verified, addressing the huge problem of dead or phishing .onion sites on the network.

And because there’s very little use of HTTPS on the dark net, verifying whether or not a website is genuine using an SSL certificate is not feasible. Obviously, finding these .onion websites is the first challenge, as they won’t show up in Google search results. You can’t just Google “Silk Road” and hope to land on the dark website.

While it has many legitimate purposes, you can definitely find the “dark” side of the dark web if you’re crazy enough to look for it. If you’re looking for quantity and variety, Haystack indexes more than 1.5 billion pages. The search engine doesn’t track you or collect data for profit but you might see some advertisements. If you upgrade to its premium version, you can avoid seeing ads and have more access.

Streaming service violations (download, etc.) or violations related to certain types of political speeches could be subject to very different interpretations based on where you live. These search tools use different crawlers than Google, actively looking for the .onion address structure. Dark Web links usually don’t last; they’re either shut down or move around to stay hidden. So, finding new, working links means you can’t just rely on old lists. The dark web has all sorts of sites, just like the regular internet, but a lot of them focus on keeping you private and secure.

With onion sites like Wikipedia, you can continue learning and gathering information on a wealth of issues, even in places where the standard Wikipedia is restricted or censored. Watch for unexpected changes in system performance that could indicate malware. Cryptocurrency miners and other malicious software often target dark web users. Using a reliable antivirus to scan your device is worthwhile if you spot suspicious spikes in system resource usage. Always run the latest version of the Tor Browser to protect against security vulnerabilities. Outdated versions may contain weaknesses that attackers can exploit to compromise your anonymity.

The two main risks of accessing the dark web are engaging with illegal material and being exposed to malware. The Tor Project recommends that iPhone users install Onion Browser — you can download the app directly from the App Store. Although Onion Browser helps route your traffic through Tor on iOS, it may not match Tor Browser’s protections on its official apps. The safest way to navigate the dark web is to know what you want to look for ahead of time.

You could be monitored closely even if you are not doing anything illegal. If the above average Joe’s explanation isn’t enough for you, below are some legitimate reasons to use the Dark Web in a bit more detail. The use of the dark web raises suspicion as it shows there is something you want to do privately. Remember that illegal activities can still incriminate you, whether you are using a Tor browser. For example, you shouldn’t pirate copyrighted material, engage in terrorism, or share illegal pornography. Nowadays, many people use the Tor browser to surf the public internet and navigate the deeper parts anonymously.