Cryptocurrency is often used for payments on the dark web, exposing users to fraud or money laundering schemes. We’re a nonprofit organization and rely on supporters like you to help us keep Tor robust and secure for millions of people worldwide. With the above dangers, it’s imperative to tread carefully as you step into the dark web.
Stay Safe On Dark Web Websites

Despite Tor’s privacy-focused design, malicious entities are more likely to target your data in transit and on .onion sites. Using Tor to access dark web links isn’t illegal, but your ISP will notice, and others may too. It’s, ironically, more conspicuous than using popular browsers and sites.
Myth 1: The Dark Web Is Only Used For Illegal Activities
Look no further if you want good music while navigating the dark web. It may initially look abandoned, but the community members will answer your questions. 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 dark web provides anonymity–both for people visiting the websites and the websites themselves. Political dissidents in a oppressive country could use the dark web to communicate and organize. Whistleblowers can leak secrets on the dark web using sites like The New Yorker’s Strongbox, reducing the risk they’ll be tracked down.
What Should I Do If My Social Security Number Is On The Dark Web?
- The site doesn’t require an email verification, though it offers all the features and security that you want in a dark web marketplace.
- We’ll also discuss why it’s dangerous and why you should inform yourself about the dark web even if you don’t plan to be on it.
- So, without delay, let’s step into the onion patch aka the best 20 dark web websites.
- These sites cater to cybercriminals seeking valuable data, such as credit card numbers, login credentials, and personal information.
- The terms “deep web” and “dark web” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same.
This browser is the most suitable option for accessing the dark web, thanks to its multiple layers of encryption. Each time you connect to a dark web link, your request and traffic are routed through at least three different server points, ensuring your IP remains hidden. When you access this site, do so with extra protection, even if you are technically anonymous when you use the Tor browser. We highly recommend using a strong VPN like NordVPN to stay safe and private. Later, the CIA released its onion website to provide worldwide access. DuckDuckGo is a helpful search engine available on the Tor that allows you to browse the dark and regular web anonymously.
How To Download And Use Tor
In opennet mode, the network will automatically assign you to other users on Freenet’s network. Click on “Safest.” As you’ll see, JavaScript and a few other features will be automatically disabled on all sites. Now that you’ve completed the download, it’s time to install the Tor browser on your device. (The installation instructions that follow are for the macOS platform, I’ll mention where it’s different for Windows.) Simply double-click the downloaded file in your download folder.

Quick Guide: These Are The Best Dark Web Links In 2025
- To get on the dark web, you need a browser built for the job, and the best in the business is Tor.
- Archive Today, also known as Archive.is, is a web archiving service that captures, preserves, and provides access to snapshots of web pages.
- It contains 7,500 terabytes of information, compared with only 19 terabytes of information in the “surface” web.
- Attempting to even view these can be illegal in many countries and states, so stay well clear of them if you want to keep a clean record and conscience.
- In fact, you can even find many government and corporate websites on the dark web.
But navigating the dark web is full of cybersecurity and legal challenges. You will never know when you stumble upon illegal materials, inadvertently download malicious software, or expose yourself to identity theft. But if you must visit the dark web for ethical reasons, here are some safety precautions. Law enforcement agencies in many countries monitor the dark web to combat illegal activities. Cracking down on many illegal marketplaces on the dark web is the result of such monitoring.

Safe Dark Web Links To Explore
Confusingly, ‘Dark Internet’ is also a term sometimes used to describe further examples of networks, databases or even websites that cannot be reached over the internet. In this case either for technical reasons, or because the properties contain niche information that few people will want, or in some cases because the data is private. Since the release of Tor Browser 6.0.6, you’ll also find that DuckDuckGo is the primary search engine.
What Are Onion Sites?
Always remember that while the above measures significantly reduce risks, no method guarantees complete security on the dark web. Always exercise extreme caution and verify the legality of any services you access. This isolates any potential malware and prevents cross-contamination with your personal data. Using Tails OS can further security, as all your data is reset every time you close the device.

The dark web, however, is a very concealed portion of the deep web that few will ever interact with or even see. In other words, the deep web covers everything under the surface that’s still accessible with the right software, including the dark web. The deep web rests below the surface and accounts for approximately 90% of all websites. This would be the part of an iceberg beneath the water, much larger than the surface web. In fact, this hidden web is so large that it’s impossible to discover exactly how many pages or websites are active at any one time.
Do I Have To Use A VPN?
For example, data breaches frequently result in stolen information being sold on the dark web. This includes usernames, passwords, credit card details, and even medical records. Even if you have never visited the dark web, your personal information could already be circulating there. Your ISP, and possibly the authorities, may decide to start monitoring your activity more closely to look for threats or illegal activity.
Few countries operate with strict censorship on citizens’ internet access, preventing them from getting information in or out. BBC is the most popular news source and is the best example of restrictions on International media. It is important to note that the people or journalists who use ProPublica to spread their truth recognize the risk of doing so. As a result, we want you to stay safe and anonymous by using a paid VPN service whenever you surf this dark web platform.