This post lists some interesting Dark Web Websites or Darknet Sites that you must check out. When browsing online, you might have often encountered the term Dark Web or Deep Web. Thanks to the mystery surrounding the dark web, it incites the most curiosity among users.
If you want to access and explore the dark web, use a dedicated browser like TOR. However, you must also use a VPN and good security software to keep yourself private and secure.
Top 10 Dark Web Websites you should check out
The dark web websites are not the usual ones with .com or .org extensions. Instead, they use .onion extensions. They use unique domain names with mixed-up letters that are not heard or found easily, for example, xytjqcfendzeby22.onion.
However, many such sites are marked as dangerous and illegal, and many have been shut down due to their suspicious motives. So, if you do choose to access the dark web using the Tor browser, make sure you avoid visiting any suspicious sites for your security and to avoid any legal hassles.
After thoughtful research, we have created a list of the top 10 dark web websites you should check out. Here are some of the best Onion and TOR sites to help you explore the deepest and the darkest parts of the web, securely.
- The Hidden Wiki
- Mail2Tor
- BBC Tor Mirror
- ProPublica
- SecureDrop
- Zerobin
- Riseup
- Ahmia
- Facebook Onion site
- Tgx Torrent site
1] The Hidden Wiki
Yes, The Hidden Wiki is just like Wikipedia in the real world and it rightfully captures the first spot in the list of the top 10 dark web websites. It offers a directory with a huge collection of links and hence, a perfect way to start accessing the dark web. With a long list of all the required .onion links, you can have access to all types of content on the dark web.
At the same time, make sure that you visit the original site for the Hidden Wiki as there are many imposter websites with the same name that can be dangerous. Also, make sure that you avoid any illegal sites for your good.
Read: Best TOR alternatives for anonymous browsing
2] Mail2Tor
Tired of privacy breaches on your regular email? It’s pretty normal in the email world to have access to your data and hence, what if you could send and receive emails anonymously? Mail2Tor is one such email provider that helps you send and receive emails anonymously using webmail or email client. While it encrypts your email and claims not to store your IP address, ensure you stay safe.
3] BBC News darknet version
If you are a fan of the BBC news site, but you are from a country that levies heavy censorship on this site, the darknet version is for you. All you need to do is to use the Tor browser and you get access to all of the censored content (both national and international) through the .onion site for BBC. And, you can do all of that, anonymously.
Read: Invisible Web Search Engines to Access the Deep Web
4] ProPublica
If you appreciate investigative journalism and the exposure of wrongdoings by the government or businesses, ProPublica is what you need. This 5 time Pulitzer Prize winner is known for contributing to the fight for people’s rights and is the first major online news portal available on the dark web with the .onion extension.
5] SecureDrop
SecureDrop is an open-source whistleblower site and is one of the best Onion and Tor sites on the list for this purpose. So, if you are a media body or an NGO and you want to raise a red flag for certain news, SecureDrop can help you with it. It allows you to share and accept such documents anonymously and securely.
Read: How to enable and use Tor in the Brave browser
6] Zerobin
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Zerobin is another great onion site which is more of a messaging platform where you can share any data (text/image) with the receiver. Interestingly, it allows you to copy/paste any data found on the dark web without breaching your privacy. This means the platform does not see any of the data sent or received since it is encrypted before it reaches its servers. Nevertheless, you can still add a layer of protection with a strong password to make sure your data is safe from prying eyes.
7] Riseup
Riseup is a communication tool targeted at individuals or groups involved in liberatory activities. So, if your interest lies in social reforms this is a secure platform to help you communicate with like-minded people, away from government interference or hackers. Best of all, none of your data is stored in its records. However, you need an invitation code to join the platform.
Read: TOR browser not opening or working in Windows
8] Ahmia
Ahmia is a great alternative to the DuckDuckGo search engine that allows you to dig deep into the darknet through its anonymous, yet secure search experience. So, if you are looking for hidden services or get detailed insights related to the Tor network, Ahmia is what you need.
9] Facebook’s Onion version
If your country follows a repressive regime and Facebook is restricted for reasons known best to the government, the onion version of the popular social media platform is what you need. While it may not focus on your privacy altogether, it opens the communication channels for the restricted few.
Read: What is a Backdoor Attack? Meaning, Examples, Definitions
10] TGx Torrent site
Are you looking for some of the latest Torrents to spend a quiet evening with entertainment? TGx (TorrentGalaxy) is one such torrenting site on the dark web that allows access to many movies from all parts of the world. You can browse your favorite movies by Category, Genre, and Language, or simply type in the title/keyword to pull up your desired video, and there you go!
Read: Are Torrents illegal?
Bonus
While the above list is among the widely used Onion and Tor sites on the dark web, there are also some great alternatives, such as:
- DuckDuckGo – Tor search engine.
- Elude – Email service and Bitcoin/Monroe exchange.
- Tor Links – A great alternative to the Hidden Wiki.
- Hidden Answers – Tor’s answer to the Reddit or Quora but an unfiltered version.
- Sci-Hub – The unlocked world of scientific papers.
- Comic Book Lib – An open comic book library for comic world fans.
How do I access .onion sites?
To access .onion sites, download and install the Tor Browser from the official TorProject.org website. Launch Tor Browser and ensure a secure connection before navigating to .onion URLs. Remember, .onion websites offer privacy, but it’s important to remain cautious and keep your system’s security updated.
What is the onion address in Tor?
An onion address in Tor is a unique identifier for accessing anonymized services online. It is designed for use within the Tor network, consists of 56 alphanumeric characters, and ends with “.onion”. These addresses ensure secure, private browsing, as indicated by an onion icon in the Tor Browser’s URL bar.
