Clicking on random onion links is quite risky and isn’t recommended. A random dark web link can lead you to malicious software, phishing sites, and illegal content. The New York Times operates one of the biggest news sites on the Tor network, letting users access its regular news coverage with increased privacy and security. The onion site is especially beneficial for people in regions with heavy censorship or restricted access to media. Dark web search engines are primarily used for accessing uncensored information, conducting intimate communication, and retrieving sensitive data.
Malicious Software
- Let’s delve into the best dark web search engines and how tools like Forest VPN can safeguard your journey.
- Despite these privacy concerns, Facebook has become a critical place for communicating and expressing opinions.
- Onion links have no regular domain names registered under the domain name registry.
- DuckDuckGo is one of the leading private internet search engines on the open web.
- If one tries to visit the dark web with a regular browser, there will be no web pages to visit.
- Better to browse their directory to find some active links of dark web sites.
Yippy is a search engine that started in 2009, since then it has evolved. To become a leading provider of business learning and knowledge for all types of data users and consumers. The search engine provides several special features beyond the original word. These include weather forecasts, maps, calculations and Boolean operations as inclusion or alternatives among others. Recon Dark Web Search Engine is a new entrant in the category of “Top Dark Web Search Engines” 2025. The platform claims to be the largest Dark Web market vendor archive service and multi-marketplace search engine.
You need to use a dedicated browser (such as Tor) to access dark web content. It’s more anonymous than the regular web and is thus often the home of illegal activities. Some of the best dark web websites are just versions of regular sites but are hidden to enable users in totalitarian regimes to access them.
Darknet Search Engines Comparative Overview
Sure, there’s some overlap between the two, but the list of sites on TorLinks is widely different. Considering how regularly dark web sites vanish and go offline, it’s better to have more than one source to help you find .onion URLs. If you’re looking to find active .onion websites and their URLs, you have a few ways to go about it.

The Best Dark Web Links (Tested & Working In
The oldest dark web search engine, Torch Onion updates its sites every day and has the largest onion search results. It lists results very quickly and its interface is a bit similar to that of a conventional browser. Torch’s wide search capability makes it attractive to people who want to browse the dark web. Explore the best dark web search engines 2023 and learn how to navigate safely with essential tips and tools for privacy.
The Best Dark Web Search Engines In 2024
Altenen employs aggressive marketing tactics—new users must promote its links on social media to gain access—ensuring a constant influx of traffic. It’s a staple in dark web forums focused on financial cybercrime. Mail2Tor makes a good alternative as it allows users to send/receive messages anonymously through webmail or an email client. What’s more, all mail is secured using encryption, and the provider doesn’t store your IP address either. Unfortunately, specific usage statistics for each Tor search engine are not readily available due to the privacy-focused nature of Tor. However, general Tor usage data suggests that search engines like DuckDuckGo, with its familiar interface and established reputation, may attract more users.
Is Accessing The Dark Web Illegal?

Of course, any links and results will not be openable unless you have the Tor browser installed on your computer. Unlike Google, Pipl can interact with searchable databases, member directories, court records, and other deep internet search content to offer you a detailed snapshot of a person. To explore the invisible web, you need to use specialist search engines.
This adds extra protection since opening Tor itself encrypts your traffic. You risk being targeted for attacks if you explore the dark web without protection. The threat can extend to your entire network of devices connected to the internet.

PRIVACY ALERT: Websites You Visit Can Find Out Who You Are
Don’t share any personal details like email IDs or phone numbers. Established in 2022, WizardShop is one of the biggest data stores on the dark web, focusing mainly on carding and financial data. All messages are encrypted, and the company does not log your IP address. Popular news publications like The Washington Post, The Guardian, TechCrunch, and more have set up their own SecureDrop URLs so whistleblowers can contact them effortlessly. SecureDrop claims that all the messages you send and receive are encrypted in transit to prevent third parties from intercepting them.
Unfortunately, most of the mainstream media today can’t be trusted because it’s rarely unbiased and accurate. The best way to stay up-to-date with the latest happenings is to use an open-source and community-oriented news aggregator like SoylentNews. Users can submit their stories from anywhere in the globe and even engage in insightful conversations on public discussion forums. Accessing the dark web is legal in itself; the nature of the activities you engage in ensures it stays that way. Criminals prefer the dark web because it offers anonymity like never before.
Not Evil Search Engine Link – Not Evil is a dark web search engine that is focusing on user anonymity and security. It is a successor of TorSearch and Evil Wiki one of the largest darknet directories at a time. Not Evil is currently indexing more than 32 million pages and over 14 million onion links. It’s totally uncensored search engine with a strong focus on privacy of it’s users. This search uses a old Google motto, “Don’t be evil” while resembling Google’s logo and colors in it’s design. It’s run by not-for-profit organization and it relies on community of volunteers.

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. First, check out our beginner’s guide on how to use Tor, then come back when you’re ready to get started. Please check your local laws to ensure your use of VPN complies with statutory requirements. Because hidden networks still communicate with other devices, it’s possible to detect using a wireless network analyzer like NetSpot.

Use it to search the normal internet from the privacy of your Tor Browser. When you access an onion site, your connection is routed through a series of nodes, each adding a layer of encryption. This process makes it nearly impossible to trace the user’s origin or destination, providing a secure browsing experience. While it hosts elements that are best avoided, it also offers unique opportunities for free speech, secure communication, and unrestricted access to information. By using tools like Forest VPN, you can traverse this digital landscape safely and responsibly.
Deep Web Search Engines (Onion Links
It also always uses a secure HTTPS connection, so you’re safer on public Wi-Fi networks too. It lets you search both clearnet and dark web sites, but it blocks all trackers, doesn’t use your location data, and never stores your search history. For example, there are separate categories for blogs, email services, file uploaders, forums, and more. I tested all the website links on The Hidden Wiki and almost all of them work (I was able to access sites like Deep Web Radio and ProPublica without any issues). The Hidden Wiki is the best way to start browsing the dark web because it contains dozens of links to popular .onion sites. 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.