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Since Hidden Wiki maintains all kinds of websites, ensure you don’t open something you don’t want to see. Tor Browser is the standard browser used for accessing the dark web — it’s quick and easy to install via the official Tor Project website. So not only is your web activity hidden by Tor, but you can also mask your IP address for other network processes by connecting via a range of global VPN server locations. However, depending on your goals and overall system security, Tor alone may not be enough to fully protect your privacy.

Facebook Onion Site

Its mission to clean up the Dark Net and provide a platform for censorship-resistant services makes it a great, reliable resource. This is also a recognized name within the clearnet community for its specialization in maintaining user privacy. DuckDuckGo never tracks its users, and it maintains no record of users’ search history. The dark web comes with its own set of tools and services, including web browsers and search engines (which I’ll get on to in a moment). Part of what makes the dark web the dark web is that you can’t access it through your normal web browser, nor can you look something up on it via a Google search.

Our Network

It’s somewhere Google and Bing don’t index, and you need special tools to get to it. Different reports rank marketplaces based on varying criteria such as time period, transaction volume, or investigative relevance. Because marketplaces change frequently, rankings are rarely consistent. The goal is understanding ecosystem behavior, not validating or promoting marketplace activity. Each takedown affects the wider ecosystem by spreading distrust across other marketplaces.

Tor Links

The dark web limits online tracking, and there are many legitimate reasons people like journalists and activists use the dark web to remain private. But there are also many illegal activities that happen on the dark web. And just like in real life, using the dark web for criminal purposes is never legal. The quickest way to access the dark web is to download and install Tor Browser, which will route your traffic through the Tor network and let you access the dark web.

Commercial Services

Reuters, Fox, NBC, CNN – all of them keep open dark web channels to receive anonymous tips from whistleblowers. Sure, it’s not as secure as the clear web version, but it’s there and totally legal to use. Hidden Facebook is hardly the only social media client on the dark web. Although content on the dark web is not as ‘indexed’ compared to the one on the clear web, you can still use search engines to find stuff.

Best Dark Web Websites: Video

One useful aspect of its community is that people here give warnings or alerts about upcoming scams or busts. Therefore, DuckDuckGo will provide the first, safest place to search on the Dark Web. But, as noted earlier in the article, before you start, you should install a quality VPN like NordVPN to stay safer online and protect your identity.

Is accessing the dark web illegal?

Instead, I2P uses its own brand of hidden sites called “eepsites”. A handful of dark web search engines that do index .onion sites include NotEvil, Ahmia, Candle, and Torch. This dynamic nature of the darknet creates an environment where privacy and security become paramount considerations for anyone attempting to access these specialized networks. Encrypted communication channels on the dark web allow users to message back and forth in an anonymous online environment.

Best Onion Sites to Discover on the Dark Web in 2026

SecureDrop has even been adopted by various news organizations worldwide. It provides a safe haven for anyone looking to shed light on wrongdoing or share critical information with the media. DuckDuckGo is a reputable US-based software company, so their Tor site itself is safe to use. That said, you still might get malicious links in your search results, so you still need to proceed with caution with any page DuckDuckGo takes you to.

Security Links

And if you think you’ve fallen victim to identity theft or fraud, be sure to report the internet scam just like you would any other crime. Yes, you can access the dark web on a smartphone, but you’ll need an appropriate browser, like Tor browser for Android or Onion browser for iPhone. Remember that phones can get viruses just as easily as computers, and the chances of getting a virus likely increase when you’re browsing dark web mobile sites, no matter your platform. Onion sites are websites on the dark web that use the “.onion” top-level domain instead of “.com,” “.net,” “.gov,” etc. Onion sites use The Onion Router (Tor) software to encrypt their connections and enable anonymous communication. They also hide their location, ownership, and other identifiers.

Are onion sites dangerous?

• Excavator is perhaps as controversial as it gets, among the most comprehensive search engines on the dark network.
• We also urge you to remember that there are various versions of the Hidden Wiki circulating on the dark web.
• To access .onion sites, you need a private network and browsers — in other words, you need Tor (more below).
• Dark Web Links are unique URLs that grant access to websites hosted on the “dark web”, a hidden part of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines like Google or Bing.
• Closing all apps before browsing privacy-sensitive areas of the internet reduces the chances your system will leak data or expose you to malware and identity theft.
• It lists over one billion .onion pages, so you’ll definitely find the pages you’re looking for.
• It’s a precaution to protect yourself before diving into the dark web.
• Confidential government files and pages tied to unlawful trafficking often get filtered out.

Since the organization behind it is independent, it’s fully user-supported and relies on donations to keep its site up and running. All of this underscores Riseup’s prioritization of users’ rights over business interests. So take this guide as you explore where to go on the Tor Browser without risking your online security. The BBC’s international edition Tor version is available on the dark web, giving access to unbiased news in regions where the BBC is blocked or censored. Feather is a free and open source Monero wallet available on most major computer platforms.

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What are Onion sites?

Cybercrime services are more commonly sold through marketplaces, but you can usually find someone offering hacked servers, computer logins, and stolen data on such forums. There are currently several online darknet markets, but they tend to be incredibly volatile due to government intervention. If you do need to access a dark web website for legitimate reasons, you can check directories like The Hidden Wiki to help find options. What should you do if your information is found in a data breach or you think it’s been leaked somewhere? Change your passwords and watch out for suspicious activity on your credit reports. The dark web can certainly be dangerous — with no regulation, it’s a riskier place to hang out than the surface web.

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Although some search results may be duplicated or no longer active, it remains a practical option for locating working .onion links while keeping your identity protected. While it doesn’t index dark web content, it’s the default search engine on the Tor Browser because of its strong privacy features and lack of tracking. For searching within the dark web, specialized tools like Torch are better, as they specifically index .onion sites and hidden content.

Ransomware gang’s slip-up led to data recovery for 12 US firms

• Most dark web marketplaces use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for transactions to help maintain anonymity.
• The broad category mix positions Vortex as an entry-level market for general illicit trade.
• So take this guide as you explore where to go on the Tor Browser without risking your online security.
• Tor is a browser engineered for extra security and privacy, and can be used to navigate the normal, surface web as well as the dark web.
• The great thing about sharing via the Dark Web on SecureDrop is that users can do so without fear of persecution and without the possibility of being tracked down and punished.

AVG Secure VPN masks your IP address from other internet users, the websites you visit, and even government surveillance. And thanks to ultra-secure, end-to-end encryption, your online activity is obscured. While it may have a reputation for seedy and dangerous content, many dark web websites are legitimate and useful resources.

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Posts on controversial or even illegal topics are fair game, so the Tor website is a double-edged sword. Accessing ProPublica via the Tor Browser gives users an added layer of privacy and lets them bypass restrictive government censorship. This is especially important for individuals in regions where press freedom is restricted or where government surveillance poses risks to journalists and activists. This isolates any potential malware and prevents cross-contamination with your personal data. Using Tails OS can further security, as all your data is reset every time you close the device. DigDeeper offers in-depth analysis of technology and privacy topics rarely covered by mainstream media.

Why do different sources list different “top” dark web marketplaces?

• For obvious reasons—I don’t want to get you or me into trouble, after all—I’m not going to get too specific when it comes to what you can find for sale on the dark web.
• Dark web marketplaces expose users to multiple layers of risk that extend beyond financial loss and affect legal standing, personal safety, and long-term consequences.
• In addition to the Tor browser, you should use an antivirus program (like Norton 360) to protect your device from malware infections, and a VPN (like ExpressVPN) to secure your IP address and traffic.
• But let’s be realistic, the best defence isn’t just playing detective after the fact.
• The Tor network began as an anonymous communications channel, and it still serves a valuable purpose in helping people communicate in environments that are hostile to free speech.
• Now that you have a better idea of what .onion sites are, you might be wondering how to access them.
• There are many different ways to access the dark web, but navigating it can be tricky and dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
• Here, you can exchange ideas, ask questions, connect with like-minded people through social networking, or share documents and media via peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing.
• Avira Free Security blends trusted anti-malware along with a Software Updater, Password Manager, and more.

However, the darkest parts of it are more akin to a snake-infested jungle. This doesn’t mean the dark web doesn’t have cool parts worth visiting — but you do so at your own risk. Tor is the most popular instance of a darknet,[19] and it is often mistakenly thought to be the only online tool that facilitates access to darknets.

Does Tor hide your IP address?

Our curated list of legitimate dark web sites above offers a safe entry point for first-time explorers. Accessing darknet links requires careful consideration of security and anonymity measures. The darknet, a part of the deep web that requires special tools to access, contains both legitimate and illegal content through specialized .onion links.

Frequently searched

As the name implies, it functions as a directory of .onion websites, offering a basic roadmap for navigating the dark web. Inspired by the original Hidden Wiki, it compiles links to many well-known Tor-based sites. However, unlike Google, Yahoo, or even dedicated darknet search engines, OnionWiki doesn’t allow keyword searches—users can only browse a curated list of links. Ahmia is one of the most reputable and significant search engines on the Tor network. DuckDuckGo is a search engine available on the Tor network that lets you browse the surface and dark web.

The Hidden Wiki is an uncensored link directory enlisting all the important .onion links. Users can edit it anonymously after registering, dark web markets pretty much like regular Wikipedia. Be careful though, the link directory is full of dead, scam, and illegal links.

Think of it as a curated list of .onion links organized by category. It’s one of the oldest and most referenced starting points for dark web navigation. Tor66 combines traditional search with a categorized directory of .onion sites. Instead of random listings, it verifies and organizes links by category. The Not Evil search engine takes an explicitly unfiltered approach to dark web search. Sometimes called the “no evil search engine,” the operators state they “don’t censor a single byte” and pride themselves on indexing content other search engines exclude.

This is usually due to the sensitive nature of the businesses or services they offer. Onion sites may offer secure access to cryptocurrency wallets or anonymous email clients. Other dark web search engines worth investigating are Ahmia, Torch, NotEvil, and the Onion URL Directory—just type out some keywords for what you’re looking for. Some of these sites can be found through regular web browsers, but you’ll then need to switch over to Tor once you’ve got the onion links you want to follow. Regardless of which dark web search engine you use, it’s extremely important to exercise caution when using a dark web search engine.

Lastly, The Hidden Wiki is a collection of dark web links — but the links may not work and can lead to dangerous websites. Surface web search engines can’t access the darknet, but specialized dark web search engines can help you find what you’re looking for. DuckDuckGo is a popular privacy-focused search engine that doesn’t track you across the web. DuckDuckGo’s dark web search engine may index pages on the dark web, but you’ll need to open it with Tor Browser. Reddit’s .onion link provides secure and anonymous access to the popular discussion and content-sharing platform through the Tor network. With over 50 million daily active users, Reddit hosts communities (subreddits) on a wide range of topics, making it one of the most visited social platforms.

Simply put, onion sites are websites that are hosted on the Tor darknet that use the “.onion” top-level domain instead of “.com,” or  “.gov” for example. All Onion sites use The Onion Router (Tor) protocol to encrypt the user’s connections. It’s only possible to access onion sites through the Tor browser or by setting up some special network configurations.

CyberGhost VPN offers an important layer of privacy and we don’t log any of your activity. If you’re hiding from your government, they’ll perceive the dark web as a threat. Activists in countries with problematic governments use the dark web to communicate. That said, if you stumble on an illegal dark web domain, you can get in trouble just for visiting.