You can use this community-edited link database to find everything from anonymous chat rooms, to Dark Web social networks, and blogs about various interesting subjects. 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. Install AVG Secure VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy wherever you go on the web.
Is It Illegal To Visit Onion Sites?
Another challenge is CAPTCHAs; because Tor behaves differently than other browsers, it’s more likely to trigger the bot-hunting system, so be prepared to face more of them than usual. This website is made public with the intention to aid the Internet users with navigation of the so called dark web. We have never received a compensation in any form for operating this website. We are not responsible for any harm or loss you may receive by following links listed on this site. To Tor-ify all network activity, you will have to configure proxy settings on your computer to work with Tor. In response, the Tor browser asks your permission before running Canvas elements.

How Do I Recognize Phishing Sites On The Dark Web?
Innovations in onion search engines and enhanced security protocols promise a future where digital exploration is both safe and enlightening. As we embrace these changes, tools like Forest VPN will remain crucial allies in our quest for knowledge and privacy. As one of the oldest onion search engines, Torch has earned its reputation through reliability and vast indexing capabilities.

How Do Onion Sites Work?
Using a VPN in conjunction with the Tor Browser is an excellent way to keep your online travels secure and private. A VPN’s ability to hide your Tor usage from your ISP and from government authorities makes for a valuable addition to your online privacy arsenal. While the Tor Browser and the Onion Network are an excellent way to protect your online privacy and anonymity, it is by no means a perfect solution, and it has a few weaknesses. All Tor Browser data is encrypted and relayed three times over the Onion Router network, which is composed of thousands of volunteer-run servers, which are known as Tor relays. In this comprehensive guide, I will endeavor to answer those questions and many more. I’ll go into how the Tor system works, explain the Onion Network, what a relay is, and how to make the Tor Browser work best to protect your online privacy and anonymity.
Unlike regular browsers that directly connect to websites via your ISP’s DNS, Tor anonymizes your journey by routing your request through several relays before reaching its destination. A VPN hides your internet activity, making it harder for your connection requests to be traced back to you. It’s a precaution to protect yourself before diving into the dark web.
- Onion search engines are specialized tools designed to index and facilitate searches on the dark web, specifically for .onion sites accessible through the Tor network.
- However, DuckDuckGo doesn’t index dark web content — it only accesses surface and deep web sites through Tor.
- The Tor window will look like a normal browser window, but you can now use it to access sites with a .onion suffix.
- Other options include Ahmia and NotEvil, which focus on listing .onion links.
- Whether you’re managing corporate accounts, overseeing facilities, or leading sustainability initiatives, ARO offers the tools and expertise to help you stay ahead.
However, some websites block Tor connections, and since they’ll see Tor’s exit node, particular sites won’t function. Namely, this method prevents even your VPN from seeing your activities, it prevents the entry node from accessing your original IP, and allows you to remain anonymous while browsing. Another benefit is that every bit of outgoing and inbound traffic is under encryption. The deep web, on the other hand, can be accessed with a conventional browser such as Firefox or Safari.
What Services And Tools Are Available On The Dark Web?
ProPublica’s investigative journalism can upset powerful interests, so the outlet joined the dark web to help their journalists and readers access their content anonymously. Being on the dark web also lets whistleblowers send material to ProPublica without fear of reprisal. The Excavator search engine digs through the depths of the dark web, offering an expansive view of indexed content. DeepSearch is an open-source search engine designed for exploring the dark web within the Tor network. By using Tor and a reputable VPN, along with being careful and having the right tools, you can browse the dark web legally and safely.
Other Dark Web Sites Offering Email Services
Facebook’s dark web portal also provides end-to-end encryption, which Facebook Messenger only enabled in December 2023. However, unlike the surface web BBC, the Tor version is accessible in countries like Iran, China, and Russia, with language options in Persian, Mandarin, and Russian. Download Tor Browser to experience real private browsing without tracking, surveillance, or censorship. Well, as long as you don’t visit sites with underaged models or that engage in human tracking or that sell drugs and other illegal items.
Tor Crypto Wallets

Riseup provides email and chat services that keep no record of your online activity. 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. Thankfully, with the right guide — and a tool like a VPN (Virtual Private Network) by your side — you can navigate these hidden sites safely without falling victim to any hazards along the way. The dark web hosts a wide range of sites — from whistleblower tools and secure email platforms to underground forums, black markets, and dark web mirrors of legitimate news outlets.
Note that some features of the normal website are not available on the .onion version, including BBC iPlayer. Husain Parvez is a Cybersecurity Researcher and News Writer at vpnMentor, focusing on VPN reviews, detailed how-to guides, and hands-on tutorials. Husain is also a part of the vpnMentor Cybersecurity News bulletin and loves covering the latest events in cyberspace and data privacy. It also offers a comprehensive list of marketplaces, exchanges, and websites linked to fraudulent activities, helping you stay informed. Dark web forums are online platforms that can only be accessed using anonymous networks, mainly Tor…. Since Tor has to pass your traffic through several nodes, it will slightly slow your speeds.
- The best thing is to actually understand how to find the fresh, new links.
- Library Genesis offers a search engine for collections of books on such topics as computers, business, technology, and more.
- For instance, if you want to buy a laptop or a smartphone, you can try your luck in one of these shops.
- If you are trying to access a 16 character (the shorter “V2 format”) onion service, this type of address no longer works on today’s Tor network.
ExpressVPN had created a .onion version of its website to allow greater privacy and anonymity for Tor browser users. You don’t need special tools or a special browser like you need to access the dark web (more about that later). Anyone can access the deep web by using specialized search engines, dedicated web directories, and other sources that can help you find the data or information. ProtonMail is a Swiss-based encrypted email service that doesn’t require personal information when you sign up. ProtonMail’s end-to-end encryption makes it one of the best onion sites for easy-to-use, secure, anonymous email. The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) provides a .onion version of its website, enabling individuals to bypass restrictions to access its content from anywhere.

Verified Social Channels And News Sites
Some governments actively monitor or block Tor traffic, and Tor use can raise suspicion even when not used for illegal activities. On its own, Tor obscures your IP address by bouncing online requests through multiple servers, similar to how a VPN routes your traffic through an external server. Websites you visit via Tor will see the IP address of the exit node, not your actual IP, just like websites see the IP address of your remote server when using a VPN.
Still, this is enough to make them suspicious of your activities on the dark web, as Tor is used mainly for this purpose. Our newsletter contains insightful articles about our solutions, trends and thought leadership from our product experts. If grids were being designed from scratch today, a DC-based system might be the logical choice for renewables-only infrastructure.