SecureDrop is an open-source submission system that nonprofit organizations (NGOs), journalists, and news organizations can use to share and receive sensitive files securely. It’s used by 50+ news organizations, including ABC, Bloomberg News, CBC, and The New York Times. However, Facebook’s dark web version will still log your data, so keep that in mind. While your IP address is hidden, the site can still collect information you share on your profile. The best news is Torch updates its sites every single day, so you’ll always be able to browse the latest news and access new services and sites. 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.
Best Dark Web Websites: Video
One of the most insidious dangers on the dark web is not just technical malware or hidden exploits, but the human element—scammers and con artists who rely on psychological manipulation. Social engineering attacks leverage trust, fear, curiosity, or urgency to trick users into revealing sensitive information, transferring funds, or compromising their anonymity. By learning to recognize these ploys and adopting defensive habits, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim. Finding reliable sites on the dark web can feel like a guessing game—many onion addresses appear cryptic, and their ever-changing nature makes it challenging to build trust.
Tracking vendor migration—such as from Archetyp to Exodus—provides insight into tactical shifts. Focusing intelligence collection on specialised marketplaces yields better ROI for threat detection and proactive defence. In 2025, darknet marketplaces primarily accept Monero (XMR) and Bitcoin (BTC). Privacy-focused operators are shifting to Monero due to its default anonymity, compared to Bitcoin’s transparent ledger Darknet markets see BTC inflow drop to $2B.
Darknet News
You can access thousands of issues, from the most popular to the most niche. It is one of the best sites on the dark web to find your favorite comics. Sci-hub has more than 80 million research documents, and more than 80% of the database contains journal research articles. Since these pages would otherwise be behind paywalls, it stands to reason that this would go against copyright laws. A VPN is a stellar way to stay protected from any consequences.
Darknet Market List – Dark Marketplaces
- The dark web is home to many online marketplaces, offering everything from digital goods to rare items.
- Onion sites are dark web sites that can only be reached through online routing via Tor, in which encrypted data passes through multiple nodes before reaching its destination.
- ProtonMail is a Swiss-based encrypted email service that doesn’t require personal information when you sign up.
- Below, I’m breaking down each market with everything I’ve picked up—listings, quirks, the works.
Silk Road was one of the first darknet markets, but in 2013, the FBI shut it down. Its founder, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested, and law enforcement took control of the site. Since then, many copycat markets have tried to replace it, but not all of them have lasted.
- Unlike many dark web platforms, it maintains strict content guidelines while protecting user privacy.
- However, you must wait some time to reassess this marketplace because it’s been shut down.
- Trusted by 10,000+ users and 800+ vendors, its 2FA and escrow networks ensure top privacy.
- Tracking vendor migration—such as from Archetyp to Exodus—provides insight into tactical shifts.
Some of these sites are very helpful (but unseen as Google doesn’t show them), while others are just for fun. Your activities on the dark web are not entirely shielded from tracking, and relying solely on anonymity can lead to a false sense of security. The dark web draws not only serious cyber criminals but also law enforcement agents aiming to catch them.
Is It Illegal To Visit Onion Sites?
Each server adds a layer of encryption, and this layered system is what lends The Onion Router its name. This is also why the sites on the dark web are called Tor links. Markets that lack proper security often become targets for law enforcement, scammers, or cyberattacks. In addition to its emphasis on stolen credentials, 2easy Market offers a variety of cybercrime tools, such as hacking services, exploit kits, and other resources for conducting cyberattacks. The market frequently makes headlines for releasing massive troves of stolen data, often as a way to advertise its services.
The Dark Web is the part of the deep web that is not indexed by search engines, like Google or Bing. For this reason, you cannot browse through these sites using your default search engine. Hence, you never know when a popular .onion site is going to vanish, or even die. Though it’s still helpful, a static list isn’t enough (we try to keep our own, the one above, up-to-date, though). The best thing is to actually understand how to find the fresh, new links. SecMail is one of the most popular email services on the dark web.
Deep Dive Into Darknet Markets Of 2025
Despite its reputation, the dark web isn’t solely defined by illicit marketplaces or nefarious activity. Hidden networks also host a range of resources that can inform, educate, and support individuals who value anonymity. From uncensored libraries to secure whistleblowing channels, these platforms can offer benefits difficult to find on the clear web. When delving into the dark web, maintaining stringent security and preserving your anonymity aren’t just advisable—they’re essential.
How Do I Verify Onion Routing Links?
In a way, it feels more like a private club than an open market, and that’s exactly how the operators want it. The dark web is designed in such a manner that it hides the identities and locations of its visitors. This extra privacy makes it much harder for authorities to track down who runs these markets and where they are located. For these reasons, most of these stores naturally like the dark web due to its protection. Riseup is an invite-only email and communications service that doesn’t hold onto any of the data you generate when you use it.
In some countries, such as China and North Korea, the government uses heavy online censorship and blocks many dark web websites. For example, the BBC website is not accessible in such countries. This is where an Onion website, like the Tor browser, comes in handy.
The Best Dark Web Search Engines In 2024
Only visit dark web links from trusted sources and directories. Many scam sites use URLs nearly identical to legitimate services. I always cross-reference links from multiple verified sources before visiting any dark web address. The dark web hosts both valuable resources and significant risks. While some .onion sites provide essential services like secure communication and censorship-free journalism, others spread malware or run scams. With this in mind, finding verified links is crucial for avoiding threats on the dark web.
Is Using Tor Safe?
You can find items like digital goods, software, and even collectibles. Some markets have services related to cybersecurity, while others might list more controversial items. The selection depends on the marketplace, and not everything found is legal. These markets sell a range of illegal goods and services, including drugs, weapons, stolen data, and counterfeit items, and they typically require special software like Tor for access. Dark-web marketplaces operate through encrypted networks, primarily utilizing anonymity-enhancing technologies such as Tor (The Onion Router) and I2P (Invisible Internet Project). Launched after the takedown of AlphaBay in 2021, Abacus Market has rapidly risen to prominence.
