But it’s recommended that you stick to Tor Browser still for true dark web access. It is free, open-source, and based on a hardened version of Firefox. While not all Tor users are deep, dark web users, over 90% of the users who are interested in accessing the deep, dark web use Tor to access it. Yes, you can still be tracked on the dark web despite its privacy features. Tracking can happen through IP leaks, browser vulnerabilities, or malicious exit nodes.
- In 2025, the darknet continues to serve as a hub for secure and efficient drug trade, with platforms evolving to meet user demands for privacy and reliability.
- It maintains a very strict level of user verification and integration with an official Telegram account to provide real-time updates to users.
- Founded in 2014, BriansClub remains one of the oldest and most infamous dark web markets for stolen credit cards, fullz (complete identity kits), and dumps.
- The major advantage of using a live OS such as Tails is that, on shut down, the OS wipes itself from the thumb drive you’ve installed it.
- Tor websites may provide secure access to cryptocurrency wallets and anonymous email clients, and they’re also used to access black market sites.
- Beware of sharing your financial details on the dark web, as this can result in identity theft and your bank account amount being stolen.
Dark Web Activity Breakdown By Category
What’s more, you should always use a VPN (like ExpressVPN) with Tor to protect yourself from IP leaks. I also recommend using an antivirus (like Norton 360) to protect your device from malware infections. This is a free service that lets you upload images to share them with other people. It’s great for people who live in or travel through restrictive countries to securely access and use image hosting and sharing services, which might be unavailable.
If the above average Joe’s explanation isn’t enough for you, below are some legitimate reasons to use the Dark Web in a bit more detail. 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.
Dark Web Phishing Kits: How Hackers Sell Ready-Made Scams
Since Hidden Wiki maintains all kinds of websites, ensure you don’t open something you don’t want to see. Purchases through links on our pages may yield affiliate revenue for us. We review and list tools and products without bias, regardless of potential commissions. This is an estimated reading time to let you know how long it will take you to read all the content on this particular PrivacySavvy.com page. However, it has a sneak peek, easy guide steps, and/or a quick list providing quick in-page navigations and easily-found answers if desired.
How Many Onion Sites Are There?
For example, YoMix is a bitcoin mixer used by the Lazarus Group to launder their stolen cryptocurrency profits, with a massive influx of laundered funds in 2023. Another key player is NebulaTrade, which focuses on user anonymity through advanced Tor routing and zero-knowledge proofs. This market has also introduced AI-driven vendor verification systems, ensuring that only reputable sellers are allowed to operate.
Does The CIA Have An Onion Site?
A VPN hides the fact that you’re using Tor, which is blocked in some countries and always raises doubts because of its criminal reputation. Versus Market allows users to leave detailed reviews, making it easier to identify trustworthy vendors. If the VPN connection fails, the automatic kill switch will kick in, temporarily breaking your traffic. It is a relatively new provider but offers better features than most established VPNs. The provider also offers a dedicated CyberSec suite that prevents annoying ads and blocks malware and trackers. We recommend you only visit safe dark web links to explore such as The CIA, Facebook, DuckDuckGo, and Torch.
More On Tor Onions
For example, it maintains your privacy and enables you to access untraceable content and services. Some of the deep web sites do not use standard top-level domains (TLD) such as .gov, .com, .net, etc. These sites are a hybrid tutorial-underground where wannabe hackers ask questions and professionals sell their services or stolen data. For instance, services like ProtonMail and SecureDrop (mentioned above already) have hidden sites for their users who live in countries with high levels of censorship. Some markets are relatively short-lived (thanks to law enforcement), but others are notorious enough that they survive, for instance, Silk Road, AlphaBay, and Hansa. Keep in mind that you’ve to use very specific keywords when searching.
- Just like in the old days of the internet, the dark web maintains numerous indexes of sites, like The Hidden Wiki.
- No user names are tied to actual identities, and no moderation like one may find on Reddit.
- Another key player is NebulaTrade, which focuses on user anonymity through advanced Tor routing and zero-knowledge proofs.
- It is considered a go-to site for malware purchasing, providing keyloggers, trojans, and other Malware as a Service products.
The Hidden Wiki
Experienced blogger with a strong focus on technology, currently advancing towards a career in IT Security Analysis. I possess a keen interest in exploring and understanding the intricacies of malware, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), and various cybersecurity challenges. My dedication to continuous learning fuels my passion for delving into the complexities of the cyber world. And if you liked this article, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for more cybersecurity news and topics. In terms of functionality, I don’t think there are too many differences between regular IMAP, POP3, and SMT services and the stuff you can use to communicate on the dark web. You should stay away from everything labeled “porn”, “card skimming services”, “PayPal hacks”, “firearms”, “real fake IDs and passports”.
Marketplaces For Everything Illegal
Instead, you can use a VPN to spoof your internet connection to somewhere completely different, such as Poland. Even if someone does try to track you, they’re going to be taken to a random part of the world where don’t exist, rather than your computer and internet address in the real world. They can then trace the user, identify them as far down as their name and address, and act accordingly. While this is great for protecting a country, the problems arise since hackers can do the same thing. Be sure to double-check return policies and shipping fees before you check out.
Unlike Ahmia and Haystak, however, DuckDuckGo doesn’t search .onion sites. Use it to search the normal internet from the privacy of your Tor Browser. Your real information could be exposed at these nodes, allowing third parties to intercept your dark web activity. That’s why we recommend connecting to VPN before accessing Tor—VPN encryption protects your data, and changing your IP adds an extra layer of privacy to protect you.
It’s legal to use the dark web in most countries, but there are places where using the dark web might be against the law. I strongly advise doing your own research to make sure you’re not breaking any local laws by visiting the dark web. Also, even in countries where accessing the dark web is legal, it’s still against the law to use or host sites that promote criminal activities. Because of its extra anonymity, the dark web is a haven for privacy-conscious users, like whistleblowers, activists, investigative journalists, and ordinary people living under repressive regimes.
The 10 Biggest Dark Web Markets In 2025 – Updated List & Security Insights
These include the association of the word black with shadows and darkness, with the markets that continued to sell slaves after abolition, and the association of the color black with anarchist groups. Some people may have no other option but to use underground markets to get the goods they seek in certain situations. For example, suppose you are on vacation with your family in an exotic location and run out of formula for your baby. You may have to turn to the underground market to acquire formula if nothing is available in local stores. As for illegal currency markets, they exist primarily in nations with currency controls and weak economic fundamentals, such as a high inflation rate and low currency reserves. It is also common in countries with a fixed exchange rate where the domestic currency is pegged at an unrealistically high level to the U.S. dollar or other currency.
