In due course, the framework was remodeled and made public as a secure browser. Initially, the dark web was mainly used by government agencies, big businesses, hackers, and cybercriminals. However, technological advancements such as encryption and privacy-focused browsers like Tor enabled the general public to access it. No user names are tied to actual identities, and no moderation like one may find on Reddit.
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. The creators assert that because their technique is so strong, even malware with root access could not determine the machine’s IP address. However, there are some significant variances in the background despite the similarities.
Anything you need to do that has to be off the books to some extent, for noble or ignoble reasons, can be done on the dark web. Torch is the oldest and largest .onion search engine with more than 1 million .onion sites indexed. Just bear in mind that many of those will be out of date, and using this index will require a lot of discretion, due to its size. The nice thing about Ahmia is that it lists .onion sites that want to be found.

Roundup – Best VPNs
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. This is just an inquiry and I fully understand that the practice is illegal. Radar Rundown Ad blockers are the best protection against disruptive ads. While they might sound the same, these websites are fundamentally different.

Tor Project Onion Index
That’s why we took the guessing work out of it for you, and made this list of the best dark web sites you should check out. To search for the onion URLs, you need access to a deep web search engine. 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. Beneath the surface web that you’re reading right now, many .onion websites remain invisible to Google and other search engines.
- But if you are thinking you can find links to the deepest part of the dark web using this site, it’s not that simple.
- These tools are quite advanced; they crawl these forums and provide alerts to users if they find any of their information found in the dark part of the internet.
- This page may contain sensitive or adult content that’s not for everyone.
- Nevertheless, the dark web is home to certain disturbing and illegal content you’ll never find on the surface web.
- It’s a bit of a contradiction to talk about search engines for dark web sites because, by definition, these are not sites that get indexed by traditional search engines.
Use A Secondary Non-admin Account

Since most Tor websites are non-indexed and unregulated, the probability of scams is much greater on the dark web. Malicious actors can prey on unsuspecting users without leaving much of a digital footprint on Tor, so it’s often just a matter of time before you run into one. The Tor Browser can take you to all kinds of questionable, dangerous, and potentially illegal content. That’s why knowing which dark web websites are safe to visit is vital. DuckDuckGo is the default search engine inside the Tor browser, and once you turn on the Onionize toggle switch in the search box, you’re able to use it to find dark web links.
Top 13 Dark Web And Deep Web Forums – Quick List
Darknet websites are one thing, but darknet markets involve a whole category of websites that may get banned by search engines. If all you need is a discussion to satisfy your curiosities, you have nowhere to turn to. OnionShare is a powerful open-source platform that lets you share and receive files anonymously, host websites, run an online service, or chat anonymously. The tool is simple to install, fast to learn, and gets you started immediately.

BBC News /persian فارسی
I have to admit to having a soft spot for Tunnels, an onion website about underground “urban” exploration. Apart from having that “As above, so below” vibe, Tunnels is a great source of info for users who are into dark urban history. The website contains pictures and videos of various cavern-like structures, shafts, and possibly escape tunnels.
How Do I Open Onion Links?
In this section, we have listed the most popular resources on the Dark Web. Please note that you must take great care when using the Dark Web as sites often contain adware, spyware, malicious links, and scams. Radar Rundown Hiding your IP address is one of the best ways to protect your online activities from … Radar Rundown Private search engines use the metasearch or proxy search model and the proprietary cr… The dark web is a part of the deep web that contains websites not included in the mainstream search engine index.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information
Visit it to find out about Dark website closures, arrests, drug seizures, and other news topics related to the dark web and its use. 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. We also urge you to remember that there are various versions of the Hidden Wiki circulating on the dark web. The original (linked below) is still considered the most reliable, so try to avoid counterfeit versions. With this in mind, it is essential that you are careful about what you choose to visit and where you choose to click. As always, we strongly recommend using a reliable antivirus and a robust VPN to increase your security.
How Do I Access The Dark Web?
Instead, it focuses on publishing stories and holding powerful institutions accountable. Other major news sources blocked in some countries, like the BBC, also have dark web versions. Facebook’s onion mirror allows people to access it in countries that block the platform, allowing people to connect across digital borders. That said, the social network’s data collection and tracking practices may seem at odds with many of the principles motivating dark web users. Concerns about how Meta treats user data have led many people to delete their Facebook profiles or at least limit their social media presence. You can tell you’re on the dark web if you’re accessing websites with .onion addresses on the Tor Browser or a similar anonymity network.

To contribute a tip, join the community, which can be done anonymously through an approved onion link. The site is strongly resistant to hackers and encrypts your data in transit as well as the rest. Proton further provides access over the Tor network through its customized onion address. When you create a free Proton account, you get encrypted email with 1 GB storage, two password vaults, and one VPN connection.