The Tor browser is the most preferred browser for surfing the dark web because it creates encrypted pathways for user traffic, ensuring all the activities are anonymous. The dark web is not easily accessible, especially with browsers like Chrome or Safari, as it requires specialized protocols like Tor’s onion routing. As a result, the recommended browser for accessing the dark web is the Tor (The Onion Router) browser. In the first arc of the anime series Lupin the 3rd Part V, Lupin III steals digital currency from the “Marco Polo” darknet market. Yes, you can access the dark web on mobile — you just need the right app.
Malicious Software
There are many regions in the world where governments change rules about the internet based on their politics. They can spread information about what is happening under a tyrant regime in their country. They can share all about the human rights violations in their country without the authorities knowing about it. There are already many services on the dark net that sell AI-made malware for a hefty price. Even though AI technology has come a long way it is still not up to its full potential. It is still in a growing phase and as AI tech becomes more powerful and advanced so does the malware on the dark web sites.
I also like that the security guides are user-friendly — the format is easy to scan, complicated terms are explained very well, and there are videos and screenshots. It’s great how the site has a Security Scenarios section too, where it offers personalized security tips for specific audiences (activists, academic researchers, journalists, and more). ProPublica has a clearnet site, but its dark web version won’t see your IP address, so you get better privacy. You can also use its .onion link via the Tor network to access the site in restrictive countries, where it might be unavailable. One of its best features is Anonymous View, which is a free proxy that masks your identity while you’re browsing sites.
This traditional search engine is also compatible with the dark web and can help you find dark web websites. 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. Deutsche Welle (DW) is a German state funded news organization that reports on worldwide topics and events. In order to avoid censorship of their content, they’ve created a .onion site to ensure it’s accessible for all.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information
It’s also important to note that your activities on the dark web aren’t completely immune to web tracking, and the expectation of anonymity can create a false sense of security. You can run a dark web scan to see if any of your data has leaked onto the black market. And if you think you’ve fallen victim to identity theft or fraud, be sure to report the internet scam just like you would any other crime. Taking the necessary precautions makes tracing your activities on the dark web difficult. For example, I strongly advise using a reliable VPN like NordVPN. Although the Tor browser has sufficient encryption, combining it with a VPN offers better protection.
Navigating Darknet Market Links Safely
Lastly, to stay up-to-date with the happenings on a particular dark web website, forums are set up as a hub for information exchange. It can’t provide solutions should users encounter issues while using the website. We also made sure to select only sites that have been around for a considerable amount of time without being taken down or being the subject of any privacy or security scandals. It is a good website for finding out which websites are currently working. If you need a listing of currently active websites, contact their support, and they will provide you with that.
ProtonMail — Free & Secure Email Services
The dark web is the unregulated part of the deep web, which encompasses all parts of the web not indexed by search engines. While the deep web comprises about 90% of the total web, the dark web makes up just a tiny fraction of the deep web total. Tor Links is a backup directory of “.onion” sites in case other directories go offline. The best Tor sites are under constant threat of closure, including Tor directories like the Hidden Wiki, so having a backup in case one goes down is handy. ProPublica is a non-profit, Pulitzer Prize-winning news outlet that focuses on abuses of power and issues of public trust.
Marketplaces For Everything Illegal
Although the underground internet world is rife with everything bad, it also hosts positive elements. It then depends on you, as the user, how you surf the dark world. Freshtools was established in 2019 and offers various stolen credentials, accounts, and host protocols like RDP.
The Dark Web In 2025 – Popular Darknet Sites
WeTheNorth is a rising darknet marketplace known for its bold presence and community-driven philosophy. Built with resilience in mind, it offers secure transactions, transparent vendor systems, and support for major cryptocurrencies. With a sharp interface and strong focus on user feedback, WeTheNorth is steadily earning its place among the darknet’s most reliable markets. To find .onion links for dark web sites, you’ll need to use a dark web search engine.
While technically not an onion site, we’re including Sci-Hub (sci-hub.se) as an interesting example of a site you can access via Tor. Sci-Hub gives access to millions of scientific papers, mostly ones from behind paywalls. However, due to copyright infringement, Sci-Hub is considered illegal and banned in many countries.
The dark web remains a largely unregulated and unmonitored part of our digital world. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a thriving community there though. But finding reputable onion links and dark web websites can be a challenge. That’s why we took the guessing work out of it for you, and made this list of the best dark web sites you should check out. Services like Awazon are a home for cybercriminals and hackers.
- Hence, even if you hide your IP address, you aren’t completely secure.
- The most common crypto usage is Bitcoin (BTC)and Monero (XMR) with escrow services.
- 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.
- One of the biggest mistakes is trusting the first directory of .onion addresses they find.
- I also like that the security guides are user-friendly — the format is easy to scan, complicated terms are explained very well, and there are videos and screenshots.
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. It works by sending internet traffic through volunteer-operated nodes all over the world. This network of over 6,000 relays hides your location, thus protecting you from online surveillance and third-party tracking by your websites. Just like Google, the dark web has some search engines present on it. Though they have their limitations, most of the time you’ll see irrelevant or spammy links for your search results.
