The dark web is just a part of the deep web and it’s much smaller than the surface web. According to Kaspersky, the deep web makes up about 90% of the entire internet. The vast majority of the iceberg’s mass is unseen, it’s beneath the surface of the ocean. In internet terms, this would be the surface web — the regular internet everyone uses.
OnionWiki

Galaxy2 offers a unique social networking experience on the Tor network. From intriguing forums and bustling marketplaces to enlightening libraries and insightful blogs, the platform provides a snapshot of the Dark Web’s offerings. Offering a well-organized list of links spanning various categories, TorLinks serves as a reliable guide. SoylentNews is a community-driven news aggregation platform on the Tor network.
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Thankfully there’s no need to trawl around looking for it yourself — performing a dark web scan will notify you immediately if your data has been found, helping you take steps to secure your digital identity. Decrypting the data involves peeling back layer upon layer of encryption, hence the “onion” analogy. Onion sites are dark web sites that can only be reached through online routing via Tor, in which encrypted data passes through multiple nodes before reaching its destination.
Excavator Search Engine
Finally, Wasabi Wallet is non-custodial, meaning you alone can access the encryption keys. The wallet is user-friendly and provides robust security, making it one of the best crypto wallets on the dark web. The wallet is free, and since it’s open-source, anyone can inspect, verify, and contribute to the code. The platform is free and is run by volunteers in the US who prefer privacy and security. It does not store logs and is protected from interference and malicious attacks.
- Pastebins are text sharing services, useful for sending and sharing large snippets of code or text.
- Additionally, you should not share any information to any sites that might cause you to be identified or linked to your name or other identifying information.
- For instance, dark web websites could be infected with malware, or designed as scams to gather stolen data.
- The Dutch national police have made their onion site function as a billboard, warning all would-be criminals on darknet marketplaces to think twice about their actions.
Bohemia Market Link
Onion Search engine offers a smooth experience to its users and allow access to thousands of hidden services. DarkSearch is a deep search engine that prioritizes user privacy by indexing .onion websites. Also known as Not Evil, this dark web search engine offers access to a wide array of .onion content.
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Awazon Marketplace is the leading dark-web marketplace that claims to provide a secure destination for anonymous trading. Ahmia is a safe alternative search engine for users who prefer the dark web. The Daniel site also had a status check feature that updated users on which sites were active. Later, the CIA released its onion website to provide worldwide access. Few countries operate with strict censorship on citizens’ internet access, preventing them from getting information in or out.
That’s why it’s essential to rely only on trusted onion directories—sources known for link accuracy and uptime tracking. To boost anonymity, many users connect to Tor through a VPN, which hides Tor usage from their internet provider. These sites often appear in onion directories, but they come with extreme risks. Here are some onion links often mentioned in directories — always verify before use. These .onion sites are hosted on the Tor network, which encrypts traffic and routes it through multiple nodes, making it extremely difficult to trace. The dark web, however, is a small, intentionally hidden part of the deep web that requires special tools like the Tor Browser to access.
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Users who don't verify onion addresses through multiple sources fall victim to phishing. Many users lose money in exit scams because they kept unnecessary balances. Maintaining significant cryptocurrency balances in market wallets exposes funds to exit scams and seizures.
But anything that’s against the law on the regular web or offline is also illegal on the dark web. 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. Tor encrypts traffic, masks your IP address, blocks trackers and browser fingerprinting, and doesn’t store a record of your activity. Onion sites use The Onion Router (Tor) software to encrypt their connections and enable anonymous communication.
It provides a platform for users to explore the Dark Web with ease. Offering a plethora of resources, from software packages to documentation, the Debian Project’s .onion platform is a treasure trove for tech enthusiasts and developers. The Debian Project’s presence on the Tor network is a testament to its commitment to open-source principles. The presence of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on the Tor network might come as a surprise to many. Its commitment to user privacy, combined with its comprehensive suite of tools, makes Tails an essential asset for Tor enthusiasts. Designed to be used as a live system, it ensures that users leave no trace of their activities.
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In fact, it has many benefits, like better privacy and access to undetectable content and services. Finally, you can check out reputable websites and news outlets like SecureDrop and ProPublica for verified .onion domain addresses. Though it’s no longer active, it set the benchmark for future .onion directories.
The anonymity of the dark web unfortunately attracts a wide range of illegal activities. Simply accessing the dark web is not illegal in most countries, including the United States. The magic behind the dark web’s anonymity is a process called onion routing. Websites on the Tor network don’t use typical domain names like .com or .org. But it also provides a haven for cybercrime, illegal marketplaces, and other illicit activities.

The dark net is full of notorious hackers, scammers, malware, and other viruses. However, please note this article is for research and educational purposes only. We have included a variety of sites with specific functions. Having trouble deciding what dark web sites are safe and reliable?
Opening the onion links is very easy from the Tor browser, which you need to download and install in advance. Nevertheless, the dark web is home to certain disturbing and illegal content you’ll never find on the surface web. As long as you are not looking for anything illegal in the real world, it’s perfectly legitimate to use the dark web to find whatever you need. For the record, there are more scam sites for every genuine one, and it’s good to have a discussion forum about this.

The Hidden Wiki is the best way to start browsing the dark web because it contains dozens of links to popular .onion sites. I also included instructions on how to access the dark web, and outlined how to stay safe when browsing dark web links (the dark web is also home to many scams and malicious sites). It’s not illegal per se to access an onion website, but that doesn’t mean your actions while connected to the dark web are immune from law enforcement. Onion sites may offer secure access to cryptocurrency wallets or anonymous email clients.