Dark Web Websites: The Best Onion and Tor Links 2026

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. Another essential security feature is that all incoming and outgoing data from the app is encrypted, including any private and public keys involved.

The New York Times

• Tune into the deep web radio if it’s getting too quiet, and you’ll definitely find something interesting to listen to.
• The final relay before your traffic goes to the destination website is known as the exit node.
• Beyond technical precautions, maintaining proper operational discipline is crucial for safe darknet navigation.
• A handful of dark web search engines that do index .onion sites include NotEvil, Ahmia, Candle, and Torch.
• It serves as a place where users can connect with like-minded individuals to discuss a wide variety of subjects related to drugs, technology, cybersecurity, etc.
• This is why Torch, with its old-school banner ads reminiscent of the early 2000s, looks like a blast from the past.
• The deep web is not a series of sites but a storehouse of records, including email accounts, medical records, private messages, and more.

It is estimated that only around 4% of all websites are accessible through the Tor browser. The Dark Web, also known as the Dark Net, is a part of the Internet that is not accessible through standard web browsers. It can only be accessed through specialized software such as the Tor browser.

How to use Tor, and is it safe to access the dark web?

You must type in a valid web address instead of “surfing the web” to find what you want. For example, ProPublica—a renowned investigative journalism non-profit— uses the dark web to communicate with whistleblowers and ensure readers can access content without facing retaliation. That is important for those who may fear persecution for their actions or live in areas where access to information is regulated. Tor Browser aims to make all users look the same, making it difficult for you to be fingerprinted based on your browser and device information. Please check your local laws to ensure your use of VPN complies with statutory requirements.

What should I do if my Social Security number is on the dark web?

You’ll be able to share anything from private messages to passwords across the dark web. This space for private free speech also carries the risk of exposing you to harmful content. 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. However, Ahmia doesn’t have a large developer supporting it, so it’s been the target of scams or cyberattacks in the past. 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.

Tor Metrics

The platform supports various hosting plans, including shared and VPS hosting, and has served thousands of clients looking for private hosting options. Impreza Hosting also includes features like DDoS protection and cryptocurrency payment support. Before Hidden Wiki is Daniel, a ‘dark web websites’ aggregator that can help you navigate the onion maze. Daniel acts as a dark web search engine to help users find reliable onion sites. Daniel regularly crawls the dark web searching for new websites or checking the status(es) of other websites. Definitely yes, especially if this is your first time on the dark web.

How to use Tor with a VPN (Tor-over-VPN)

That’s why we recommend using Tor-over-VPN so you can hide your Tor activity too. Whether or not you’re on the dark web, Facebook loves to collect data. Your information could easily darknet markets links end up elsewhere, so think twice about what you post online. It gives you open access to tons of scientific papers and journals — sometimes including journals locked behind paywalls.

Proton Mail

By connecting to a VPN before using Tor, you mask your real IP address before it reaches this entry node, adding an extra layer of security and anonymity. All you need to do is click connect and you are officially connected to the Tor network and can now access dark web websites. Chances are you can find it at the Imperial Library, one of the most popular sites on the dark web. But online and at your finger tips, if you can make it past the surface web. Looking for an email from an edgy domain like [email protected]? Pissmail is the service for you, offering an onion based web service accessible via Tor browser.

How to use Tor to access to the dark web

You should never use your personal information on the dark web that you use anywhere else in your life. In fact, create new throwaway accounts and documents if possible. Ensure you have used prepaid and unidentifiable credit cards when purchasing on the dark web. Avoid using payment methods that can easily expose your identity. Many services that are allegedly offered on the dark web are scams.

Tor Links

This combination of Tor and VPN creates a robust security framework that significantly reduces the risk of exposure. To get on the dark web safely, it’s necessary to use a dark web browser like Tor in combination with trusted dark web directories and search engines to help you find reliable sites. LibreY is a secure dark web search engine that prioritizes privacy by operating without JavaScript, a commonly used programming language that can be used to track web activity. Torch is a dark web search engine that has been around for years, with a loyal fan base. Serving over 80,000 daily search requests, Torch is one of the most popular search engines for onion sites.

Features That Define a Reliable Dark Web Search Engine

Automated monitoring becomes essential when you need continuous coverage and integration with security workflows. Download Tor Browser only from the official Tor Project website. The official browser comes preconfigured with security settings optimized for anonymous browsing. Security professionals have legitimate reasons to search the dark web. Learn how to search the dark web effectively and turn hidden threats into actionable intelligence for your security team. Welcome to this collection of darknet resources, curated exclusively for educational and informational purposes.

It supports Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, ensuring safe transactions between parties. Escrow has handled thousands of trades, helping to reduce fraud in Dark Web marketplaces. Their website is accessible on the clear web, but it also has a .onion site, allowing visitors to browse it anonymously, especially those living under oppressive regimes.

Google Feud

Scammers prowl the dark net, launching fake storefronts that vanish overnight, often with their victims’ money. In 2017, a global police operation brought down AlphaBay, the dark web’s largest illegal marketplace, shaking the underground economy. However, this does not provide any extra security for your device or information. There are a few reasons why the dark web isn’t stopped or shut down. First, it’s difficult to track and monitor activity on the dark web since much of it is encrypted. The Tor network was created by the US military in the 1990s for anonymous communication between spies over the internet.

Table of Contents

It is easily accessible by the general public and requires no special configuration. You can find sites like Facebook, Wikipedia, e-commerce sites, YouTube, and more here. The dark web is part of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. It means you cannot access websites on the dark web with regular browsers like Firefox or Chrome.

OnionLand

Using a dark web search engine or visiting dark web sites is generally legal in many countries, including the US and the UK. However, engaging in illegal activities on the dark web — such as buying illicit goods or accessing prohibited content — is a criminal offense and punishable by law. It offers relatively fast search speeds and provides access to a wide range of dark web links. The deep web makes up approximately 90% of the entire World Wide Web.

• Those marketplaces – and the stories surrounding them – can make the dark web seem like a hive of criminality.
• With a readable site name like that, people will know what to expect when they click on the link.
• These domain names are not registered with a central authority but are instead derived from cryptographic keys.
• The dark web often gets a bad rep due to the sheer number of illegitimate and potentially harmful websites it hosts.
• Enable MFA wherever possible to protect your accounts from unauthorized access.
• The advantage of this version is that you can effectively create a Facebook account anonymously or use this social media platform in a restricted region.
• The Hidden Wiki is the best way to start browsing the dark web because it contains dozens of links to popular .onion sites.

Activists and government critics prefer to remain anonymous, fearing repercussions if their identities are revealed. Besides, victims of crime may want to hide their identities from their perpetrators. Nonetheless, if whatever you do is deemed illegal in your country, you can get into trouble. The use of the dark web raises suspicion as it shows there is something you want to do privately.

• While Sci-Hub is mostly useful for researchers, websites such as the Imperial Library of Trantor store general works that are more interesting to the broader public and casual readers.
• They don’t post them publicly where search engines could find them.
• In its premium edition, Haystak offers advanced search capabilities and email alerts along with access to historical content.
• This guide covers dark web basics including what it is, its history, and the risks of visiting the dark web.
• I possess a keen interest in exploring and understanding the intricacies of malware, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), and various cybersecurity challenges.
• When accessing the dark web, the first step is to install a dark web-friendly browser on your computer.

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. 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.

• While not an onion site, Tor Metrics can provide a fascinating peek “under the hood” of the dark web.
• However, we do not recommend using this platform without taking proper precautions, such as anti-malware and a VPN.
• Google may use your data to train its AI systems, such as its spell check and autocomplete features.
• If you make use of a password manager, then it may come with a feature that monitors the dark web for mentions of your email address and password, or any other personal details.
• This is because the dark web is full of potentially dangerous content, and a VPN will help keep your identity and personal information safe.
• Each Tor node replaces your IP address with its own and removes exactly one layer of encryption.
• The Tor Project has endorsed it since 2014, which gives it credibility other search engines lack.

Quick list of the best dark websites in 2026

This means that the sites can usually only be accessed directly (peer-to-peer) and if the exact URL is known. Not in itself, and many users have perfectly legitimate reasons for being there. It can be an essential haven for whistle-blowers, political dissidents, investigative journalists, and victims of abuse and persecution. Its legality depends on how the anonymity that it grants is used (or abused).

In addition, Darknetlive has a list of dark web vendors, which is very convenient — it offers detailed information about each vendor, including .onion addresses (in alphabetical order) and FAQs. It doesn’t censor out any content, so you’ll have free access to more than 400,000 indexed pages. I like that you can ask the search engine to match all of your search words for exact results, or only some of them for broader search results. DuckDuckGo also lets you access chatbots anonymously, has image, video, news, shopping, and other search options.

For those wanting maximum safety when searching through the best dark web sites, Tails will be the best possible environment. Due to its highly accessible nature, Dread poses numerous threats to both users accessing this type of content and those looking for the information contained within it. Although Dread hosts valid discussions about technology and security, it also gives access to numerous types of illicit content, including illegal drug sale marketplaces. Dark web marketplaces are online markets that exist on hidden networks and cannot be accessed through regular browsers.

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). When searching and surfing the dark web, it is possible to run into malicious websites that contain malware.

• You must review the site’s descriptions before you click to open them.
• Transactions are recorded in the blockchain, so anyone who knows your Bitcoin address can find a history of your transaction.
• Journalists and whistleblowers, including Edward Snowden himself, often use the dark web and Tor to exchange sensitive information.
• The SecureDrop system is an open-source platform for anonymous submission of classified or whistleblower documentation to journalists.
• The dark web has a reputation for being a place where you can find and contact drug dealers and hitmen.
• Never become complacent with your security measures, as this is when mistakes are most likely to occur.

Although many use the dark web for privacy, some Tor websites also let people connect with others. One such method is Dread – a forum that allows users to share and discuss topics, as well as read news from other onion users. Ahmia indexes hidden sites, but only when the site owners choose to make them searchable. Security researcher Juha Nurmi founded the search engine to help people access those sites without facing monitoring.

The dark net is not quite as lucrative as it used to be and the prices for most of these items or services have gone down in recent years. However, it’s very difficult and would require extensive resources, meaning that the average person’s identity is unlikely to be uncovered. You might be used to typing in a word or phrase on the surface web, hitting “Enter,” and receiving pages of results.

Finding actual leaked passwords demonstrates risk more effectively than theoretical vulnerabilities. Sites use .onion addresses that only resolve through the Tor network. Google’s crawlers can’t connect to Tor, so they never see these sites. Security teams use them to investigate breaches and check credential exposure. All content in this repository is published solely for educational use and is intended to promote ethical research and knowledge. Any unauthorized use of this information for illegal activities is strictly discouraged.

It aims to advance research on terminal illnesses like cancer with access to unbiased scientific publications. Sci-Hub is a massive database that eliminates the barriers to getting scientific knowledge. It contains millions of scientific research documents from around the world. The site seeks to liberate information by making it free to individuals and institutions. ProPublica is a popular online publication that won five Pulitzers in 2016.

If you’re there to access illegal dark web porn or trade illicit drugs — it’s obviously not legal. 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. If you’re not careful, you can get scammed, infected with malware, and even robbed of everything you have. People have zero accountability and full anonymity to be as evil as they please.

You’ll get access to a bunch of stats helping you understand where dark web traffic comes from and why people use the dark net. If you’re doing research about the dark net, Tor Metrics can be a very helpful resource. If you need to privately share information, ZeroBin is one of the safest options. By connecting to a server from another country, you can browse the internet as if you are there.

Immediately close your entire Tor Browser window (not just that active tab). Note that engaging with the content in any way is not only distressing but could also put you at legal risk. This is because law enforcement often actively monitors these sites. Unfortunately, others are fake and fraudulent websites that exploit the reputation of the dark web to con people.