That’s why many people choose to do so anonymously on the dark web, rather than using the clear web version of the site. Examples include, but are not limited to, the trafficking of people, the drug trade, the sale of weapons, and pornography. Do keep in mind that since this is an uncensored section of the internet, you may encounter talks that you would not like.
- The platform stood out during my testing for its commitment to anonymity — all messages are fully encrypted and stored on a decentralized network.
- The Torch search engine is a Tor-based search engine that operates on the dark web.
- Tor and I2P are the two commonly used tools for accessing the dark web to provide anonymity.
- Many news publications, like the ones listed above, have a SecureDrop on their .onion sites.
In case of an attack, you can be sure that any of the data or information stored on your main computer will be safe. Check around with other users and ask if they know anything about the new marketplace. There’s a significant risk to dark web users of being exposed to malware (malicious software) infections. There are several programs that hackers frequently use on the dark web.

Premium Features

Unlike other engines that try to block harmful or illegal content, Kilos leans into it. Users who are simply curious about the dark web may find themselves in risky situations without realizing it. Even with Tor and a VPN, the threat of phishing, malware, and scams remains very high. Bear in mind too, that your internet provider will be able to see you connecting to Tor nodes, even if it doesn’t know exactly what you’re doing.
Although there is some overlap between the two, TorLinks’ list of websites is very different from the other. It is advisable to use many sources when searching for onion URLs because dark websites disappear and become inaccessible frequently. For years, the Ahmia project has been gathering and indexing public onion addresses so that users may search for the content they’re looking for. Since Ahmia has been compiling and indexing public onion addresses for years, users can search for the content they’re looking for.
Top Dark Web Search Engines In 2024

DuckDuckGo is renowned for its privacy focus, making it a reliable tool for the Deep Web. It doesn’t track your searches or personal information like regular search engines do, providing a safe browsing experience instead. It brings together answers from more than 400 sources, thus providing a comprehensive search experience.
What Is The Most Trusted Dark Web Search Engine?
Use them with PGP encryption for secure communications and Tails OS to isolate sessions, ensuring sources remain protected in high-stakes environments. Filtered engines (Ahmia, NotEvil) and directories (Torlinks) minimize dangers, while unfiltered tools (Torch, Haystak) require expertise. Balancing these trade-offs with robust security ensures safe, ethical exploration. In 2025, NotEvil helped me find a privacy tool safely, but a risky marketplace link slipped through, avoided only by verification. These experiences taught me to use Tails OS, verify links, and stick to filtered engines for sensitive work. NotEvil emerged in the mid-2010s as a successor to TorSearch, inspired by Google’s “Don’t be evil” motto.
Torlinks: The Curated Directory For Structured Browsing
A VPN will encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address, making it much harder for someone to track you down. Additionally, if you are on a clear net, a VPN will give you access to blocked websites and content. To conclude, you may also find the links of other dark web search engines but these happen to be the ones that stand out the most. However, speaking based on personal experience, its search results are not impressive.

Do I Need A VPN If I’m Already Using Tor?
The dark web is a part of the internet that isn’t accessible with regular browsers or search engines like Google and Bing. To explore it, you need special tools like the Tor browser (short for The Onion Router) and search engines designed specifically for the dark web. Not Evil offers a unique perspective with its extensive database cataloguing only clean .onion sites devoid of illegal material. This search engine also champions privacy, refraining from tracking queries or collecting user information, making it an appealing choice for cautious explorers in this online underbelly. Your safety on the dark web depends more on cautious browsing habits than any single security tool.
Best Dark Web Search Engines 2025 – Secure Access To The Dark Web
This makes it especially useful for those who want to explore current communities, forums, and projects without relying on outdated directories. While names like Ahmia and Torch dominate conversations about dark web search engines, Phobos has been quietly gaining attention. In 2025, it is emerging as one of the fastest-growing options for people who want a fresh alternative to older engines. Its design is modern, lightweight, and focused on speed, which sets it apart from many of the more established tools. It allows researchers, cybersecurity experts, and journalists to dig deeper and uncover information that would otherwise remain hidden.
Not you have any questions regarding the dark web or are unfamiliar with this area of the internet, this is an excellent place to start. For particular questions on the dark web, it’s safer to check out some of the subreddits. The news website of the BBC has been mirrored on the dark web by a dedicated Tor mirror. The intention is to provide an unrestricted, anonymous means for anyone, anywhere in the world, to visit the BBC website. Although it doesn’t do much to keep your account anonymous, it does allow you to access the social media network from nations where it is blocked. We advise using a reliable VPN, such as iProVPN, which protects your IP address with military-grade encryption and monitors the dark web to warn you in the event of identity theft.
It will give you more results than you’ll find on Google and doesn’t order or filter what you find based on advertising. For most Internet users, the online world begins and ends with Google.com. However, Google isn’t able to find everything on the Web, as there is a deep and invisible web that is not accessible by Google. This is why you need special search engines to find information that is not easily available.
DeepSearch
The Tor Metrics is a good place to get more information about the Tor project. It collects data from the public Tor network and archives historical data of the Tor ecosystem. SecureDrop is a dark web link that allows whistleblowers on the dark web to communicate and share information with journalists safely and without being tracked. This means you can visit the site anonymously using the Onion browser, especially if you live under an oppressive regime.
A reputable provider ensures that you can explore the invisible web without unnecessary risks. Today, deep web search engines are evolving to meet the demands of a growing user base. Many search engines now incorporate features like encrypted connections and advanced filtering options. Pipl is the perfect tool for deep web searching, especially when it comes to finding people.