Navigating the Dark Web Safely: 10 Reliable Onion Sites to Explore

Keep recap: What is the dark web?

The dark web is a part of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines. It is a hidden network of websites that are intentionally concealed and require specific software to access. One of the most well-known protocols used to access the dark web is called Tor (The Onion Router).

Tor is an anonymizing network that allows users to browse the internet with increased privacy and security. It achieves this by routing internet traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers called nodes or relays. The traffic is wrapped in layers of encryption, much like the layer of an onion, which is how the network got its name.

Each relay decrypts the traffic, peeling away a layer of encryption as it goes. This makes it difficult to trace the original source of the communication as no relay knows both the start and final destination of the traffic. To read more about Tor and how it works, check out our article, Is the “Dark Web” Really So Dark? An Introduction to TOR.

What are .onion sites?

Onion sites are websites that operate within the Tor network. They are designed to offer users anonymity and protection from surveillance by keeping both the site's location and the user's identity concealed.

Onion sites have URLs ending with the ".onion" extension instead of the traditional top-level domains like .com or .org.

Some websites that are on the regular web also have an onion version that allows users to access content anonymously.

This can be especially useful for users living in oppressive regimes or where there is widespread censorship. For example, Facebook has a .onion site that allows those living in countries where the social network is blocked to communicate with the rest of the world.

How to access .onion sites

Regular search engines, such as Google don't list onion sites and you can't access them from a regular browser, even if you have a link. There are only two ways to find and access onion sites...

The first is by downloading and using the Tor browser. The open-source software is completely free to download. Head to the Tor Project website and select the download for your specific operating system, and follow the install instructions. Currently, it's available for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android.

The second way is with the Hoody App. Thanks to Hoody Phantom Browsing™, you can anonymously access .onion (or .crypto) domains directly from any normal browser, such as Google Chrome.

The best .onion sites list

Before you start visiting the best .onion sites, a word of warning. Always double-check, nay, triple-check, that you've entered the address correctly. As we've mentioned, one wrong click could expose you to malicious or disturbing content. Now you know to be careful, here is the list of 10 interesting, useful, or entertaining onion sites and their URLs to explore safely.

SecureDrop

SecureDrop is one of the best .onion sites for activists and whistleblowers. It provides them with an anonymous and secure way to share sensitive information with journalists, news organizations, and NGOs. The platform, which is a project by the Freedom of the Press Foundation, enables encrypted communication that protects both the source's identity and the integrity of the information being shared.

URL: sdolvtfhatvsysc6l34d65ymdwxcujausv7k5jk4cy5ttzhjoi6fzvyd.onion

The Hidden Wiki

Considered a starting point for dark web exploration, The Hidden Wiki is a frequently updated and uncensored link directory. Much like the regular Wikipedia site, registered users can edit and update the links and link descriptions anonymously.

Listing links to various .onion sites, the Hidden Wiki serves as a gateway to legitimate websites, forums, and resources. It can help users discover valuable content and avoid the illegal stuff.

But...proceed with caution. The directory does also include links to unsavory, unsafe sites that may host illegal content. Use your better judgment before clicking on any links.

URL: s4k4ceiapwwgcm3mkb6e4diqecpo7kvdnfr5gg7sph7jjppqkvwwqtyd.onion

Archive.today

Much like the regular website, Wayback Machine, Archive.today is an online archiving service. Acting like a webpage time capsule, it allows users to take “snapshots” of web pages and save them for future reference. It is designed to preserve web content as it appears at a specific moment in time, even if the original page is later modified or removed.

The service aims to provide a means of maintaining transparency, accountability, and access to information by preserving web content. It has been used in various contexts, including journalism, research, digital preservation, and tracking online changes over time.

URL: archiveiya74codqgiixo33q62qlrqtkgmcitqx5u2oeqnmn5bpcbiyd.onion

ProPublica

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit news organization that focuses on investigative journalism. It was founded in 2007 with the goal of producing in-depth, impactful journalism that serves the public interest.

It's all about holding the powerful accountable, exposing corruption and wrongdoing, and shining a light on systemic issues that impact society.

It's a go-to for anyone interested in getting unbiased news, free from commercial or political pressures. The .onion version pretty much has the exact same news content as the regular site but lets readers enjoy it without leaving a digital trail.

URL: p53lf57qovyuvwsc6xnrppyply3vtqm7l6pcobkmyqsiofyeznfu5uqd.onion

ProtonMail

ProtonMail is a secure email service that prioritizes user privacy and encryption. It offers end-to-end encryption for emails, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access the content of their messages. ProtonMail was developed by a team of scientists and engineers at CERN and MIT, and it has gained a reputation for being one of the most secure email providers available.

In addition to its regular webmail interface, ProtonMail also provides an onion site. This adds an extra layer of protection to user data and enhances privacy. It's particularly useful for individuals operating within the dark web.

URL: protonmailrmez3lotccipshtkleegetolb73fuirgj7r4o4vfu7ozyd.onion

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is a popular privacy-focused search engine that prioritizes user anonymity and data protection. When using the DuckDuckGo onion site, you have the combined protection of DuckDuckGo's privacy features and the anonymity and encryption of the Tor network. This offers an additional layer of privacy and helps prevent your browsing activity from being easily traced back to your identity or location.

URL: duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion

Riseup

Riseup is a collective that provides secure and privacy-focused communication tools for activists, organizers, and individuals concerned about their digital privacy. It offers a range of services, including email, chat, and mailing lists, with a strong emphasis on protecting user privacy and security.

The Riseup .onion site allows users to access their Riseup email accounts and other services through the Tor network, enhancing privacy and making it even more difficult for third parties to monitor or intercept communication.

URL: vww6ybal4bd7szmgncyruucpgfkqahzddi37ktceo3ah7ngmcopnpyyd.onion

Impreza Hosting

If you're interested in hosting your own .onion site, check out Impreza Hosting. You can read all about it on its clear net website. But its .onion site offers a Tor network interface that lets you manage your hidden service website. It doesn't require any personal documents for sign-up, and payments can be made in cryptocurrency.

URL: imprezareshna326gqgmbdzwmnad2wnjmeowh45bs2buxarh5qummjad.onion

Hidden Answers

Hidden Answers is an online community and question-and-answer platform. It's basically the dark web's answer to Reddit or Quora. The forum-style platform allows users to engage in discussions, share knowledge, and seek advice without getting censored and with a higher level of anonymity. The wide variety of topics includes technology, science, politics, economics, and more.

URL: answerszuvs3gg2l64e6hmnryudl5zgrmwm3vh65hzszdghblddvfiqd.onion

Sci-Hub

Sci-Hub is a website that provides free access to scientific research papers, which are typically locked behind paywalls on traditional academic publishing platforms. It has a website reachable on the surface web, but its .onion site allows users to access Sci-Hub anonymously and securely through the Tor network. Sci-Hub was founded by Alexandra Elbakyan in 2011 with the goal of breaking down the barriers to accessing scientific knowledge.

Many academic papers are published in subscription-based journals, making them inaccessible to those without institutional access or the ability to pay for individual articles. Sci-Hub aims to address this issue by bypassing paywalls and providing free access to millions of research papers. If you're into science, then this will definitely be one of the best .onion sites for you.

URL: scihub22266oqcxt.onion

Ready to explore the dark web safely

While the dark web is often associated with illegal activities, it also provides a more private and anonymous way for law-abiding netizens to browse and enjoy legitimate sites. It also acts as a secure haven for journalists, activists, and whistleblowers to do what they need to do without compromising their privacy or anonymity.

That said, navigating the dark web safely can be a daunting task, but with the list of reliable onion sites we've provided, you can begin to explore this hidden realm with greater confidence.

From secure communication platforms like SecureDrop to valuable resources like The Hidden Wiki and Archive.today, these .onion sites offer legitimate services and content, ensuring a safer and more informed experience for those venturing into the deep, dark depths of the internet.

Just remember to exercise caution and always double-check the addresses to avoid any unwanted encounters or malicious content. Happy exploring!

If you're not sure why regular net users might be interested in using Tor and onion sites, then check out our article: Online Anonymity is Important. Here's How to Protect it