However, the threat of clicking on the wrong link always remains, so be cautious while you use it. For individuals in locations facing strict restrictions or those under oppressive governments, ProPublica is the perfect platform to share their stories. ProPublica aims to bring controversial, repressed stories into the open for all to see.
It lets you search both clearnet and dark web sites, but it blocks all trackers, doesn’t use your location data, and never stores your search history. If the websites you visit use tracking scripts, third parties can monitor you. Also, refrain from putting any personal information on the dark web. Since privacy and security are a concern while using the dark web, the websites you visit must have the encryption necessary (HTTPS, preferably) to protect you.
Since the start of the Ukraine-Russia War, RipperSec has allied itself with pro-Russian threat actors. Their group was also closed due to Telegram’s new guidelines but was reestablished in the past few months. NoName057(16) is a prolific pro-Russian hacktivist group that targets NATO countries, Ukraine, and Ukraine’s allies in DDoS attacks. After each take down, the channel resurfaced and regained a major following in a short period of time. Read this Dark Web Pulse to see examples of illicit content on Telegram and a thorough breakdown of why threat groups prefer instant messaging.
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. There are media websites on the dark web—both legitimate and illegitimate—that allow users to access digital media outside the highly monitored surface web. As you might expect, these websites sometimes host explicit, gory, harmful, and illegal content. Digital forensics plays a critical role in dark web investigations.
News & Media
However, using the dark web for illegal activity can be a criminal offense. After all, some websites on the deep web are like those on the open internet, except that they are hidden behind a paywall or protected via passwords to limit access. Valentina Bravo is an editor at Cloudwards with a rich background in technology topics, particularly productivity tools and online security. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and a triple Master’s degree in Literary and Cultural Studies. Outside of work, she is a travel enthusiast, music lover and avid learner interested in global cultures, spirituality, psychology and neuroscience. The dark web is part of the hidden web, which comprises non-indexed websites that are mostly used for illegal and illicit activity.
How Do Onion Routing And Tor Work?
Prior to joining CrowdStrike, Baker worked in technical roles at Tripwire and had co-founded startups in markets ranging from enterprise security solutions to mobile devices. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington and is now based in Boston, Massachusetts. Bitcoin is the most widely recognized and utilized cryptocurrency on the dark web. The dark web contains a wide variety of services and content, some of which skirts or disregards legality. Though the intention and purpose of users on the dark web may vary, the dark web itself is neither good nor bad.
Myth 1: The Dark Web Is Only Used For Illegal Activities
- This platform allows visitors to anonymously explore the World Factbook, submit information, apply for jobs, and perform any other actions available on the CIA’s main site.
- With a single click of a button and going through some web pages, one can now easily visit a dark web page.
- 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.
- The files are automatically encrypted, and the sender’s IP is not logged.
- These “onion” sites are only accessible on the dark web and bear the “.onion” domain at the end of the URL.
- For example, Whonix’s virtual workstation machine connects to the internal virtual LAN.
For more information, read more about the most secure email service providers in my other post. Then, simply click the operating system that you are using and download the file. While an iOS version of the official Tor browser is not available, there are Tor-compatible browsers available in the App Store.
Tips To Stay Safe When Using The Dark Web
This is especially beneficial for professionals in cybersecurity or research, who require quick access to specific types of information. However, time has changed, and now several services offer free dark web access with the least amount of technical knowledge. To access the dark web, you need an anonymizing web browser or any browser that supports the Tor network. The Tor Browser is the most popular browser for the dark web, but other popular options exist, like Brave, Comodo Dragon, Epic and SRWare Iron. Keep in mind that in some regions like China and Russia, it’s illegal to use anonymizers.
Explore The Dark Web More Securely With A VPN
In this guide, we’ll show you what you need to know about how to access the dark web and how to keep yourself safe while you use it. Anyone can access the dark web, and it’s not that complicated to do so. Just remember, if you want to explore the dark web, be very careful. This allows you to use the computer without the risk of corrupting your computer’s normal operating system with viruses or malware. Tails also protects you from possible malware, viruses, or keystroke loggers that may have already infected the computer, as it doesn’t run the operating system already installed on the device.
Bitcoin Services
This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage. Also, there’s a vast amount of unsavory content on the dark web, as well as a significantly high number of hackers and scammers looming on the platform. This type of government surveillance applies mostly to countries with environments that are hostile to free speech. You can either sell or buy goods on the dark web, but both present difficulties. If you want to prevent getting infected on the dark web, keep your Tor browser updated to the latest version available, disable JavaScript, Flash and other plug-ins, and use common sense. On top of that, the installation process of Freenet is rather easy.
The Top 7 Dark Web Marketplaces In 2025
However, we strongly advise against using dark web marketplaces due to legal risks and the high likelihood of being scammed. You can use these dark web investigation tools to check if your company’s data is available on the dark web. Be aware, however, that there are sites for absolutely everything, from the benign to the very illegal. There are some websites you can absolutely get in legal trouble for even visiting, so proceed with the utmost caution. It’s not easy to find what you’re looking for on the dark web, especially if you want to do it safely.
You can access DuckDuckGo on the surface web, but a Tor version is also available. You’ll get unbiased, organic search results without getting any of your browsing behavior logged. Using DuckDuckGo over Tor will also let you see onion sites and normal pages in your search results.
Dark Web Search Engines
Not to mention that anonymity safeguards won’t protect you from other threats like hacking and malware. Social media platforms like Facebook and news sites like the BBC and ProPublica have also waded into the dark web’s waters. These legitimate media companies keep a presence on the dark web to help users who might, for a variety of reasons, have difficulty accessing their content on the open web. In the internet’s darkest corners, a myriad of hidden websites cater to an array of needs and interests. From encrypted communication channels and hacking forums to illicit marketplaces, the dark web is a destination for millions of daily users.
Opting for Forest VPN ensures your privacy remains intact while browsing the dark web. With its no-log policy and battery-saving technology, Forest VPN not only protects your data but also minimizes your carbon footprint. Many users have praised its ease of use and affordability, making it a popular choice for those venturing into the unknown territories of the internet. Vx-underground operates as a prominent channel for sharing malware-related content, offering insights into recent threats, leaked tools, and historical malware samples.
