These Dark Web onion links or sites are not registered, but are created from cryptographic keys. Because of its extra anonymity, the dark web is a haven for privacy-conscious users, like whistleblowers, activists, investigative journalists, and ordinary people living best dark web websites under repressive regimes. It’s also a playground for cybercriminals, illegal activities, and shady stuff. You also get strong security features, as the VPN has RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, an audited no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection.
NordVPN allows Tor traffic on all servers and also has Onion Over VPN servers in 2 countries (Switzerland and the Netherlands). Onion Over VPN servers automatically route your traffic through the Tor network, so they allow you to visit dark web sites in regular browsers like Firefox and Chrome, which is very convenient. ExpressVPN provides high-end security features that are ideal for surfing the dark web. It has a no-logs policy that has been independently audited and verified and it uses RAM-only servers, meaning every server reset wipes all data. Perfect forward secrecy (PFS) is also available, which changes your encryption key for each VPN connection to prevent hackers from compromising past or future encryption keys to spy on your traffic. Using the Tor Browser, users can browse the internet privately, avoid censorship, and access blocked websites.
While it’s best to stick to links you know are safe, you should also protect yourself from accidental clicks. A strong up-to-date anti-malware with real-time protection will make a big difference if you’re subject to cyber attacks.But remember — no program can protect your device against everything. This is especially valuable in countries with oppressive surveillance and censorship regimes. You may come across websites offering illicit goods or services, but it’s important to remember that not all .onion sites are illegal or unethical. There are legitimate websites, such as news sources and privacy-oriented services, available on the dark web as well. Instead of using mainstream search engines, opt for privacy-focused search engines that do not track your search history or collect personal data.
DOs And DONTs For Your Safety
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also has legitimate uses. One of the ways to access the dark web is through the use of the .onion domain.
Riseup is a dark web site that provides secure email and chat options. To this end, Riseup makes sure no records of communication are kept, and the platform is protected against malicious attacks and government interference. The service is completely free and presents a great option for users looking to share sensitive and confidential information over mail.
Features
What is the .onion Dark Web?
TorLinks
It’ll also be good for you if you’re interested in unfiltered, thought-provoking news reports. Riseup also provides mailing lists for activist organizations filtered by various topics, including animal rights, economic justice, human rights, and disability rights. You’ll need a Riseup code to sign up though — and you can only get this from an existing user. Riseup is another anonymous email provider that lets you create private email and chats. It doesn’t keep any trace of your communications, making it particularly useful for email activists. You can also use Ahmia to explore insights and statistics about the Tor network.
.onion is a special-use top-level domain suffix designating an anonymous hidden service reachable via the Tor network. These services are designed to be untraceable and are often used for illegal activities such as buying and selling drugs, weapons, and stolen data. However, there are also many legitimate uses for the .onion dark web, such as whistleblowing, free speech, and privacy protection.
What does the Onion website do?
Summary. The Onion is an American satirical digital media company and newspaper organization that publishes articles on international, national, and local news.
How to Access the .onion Dark Web
To access the .onion dark web, you will need to use the Tor browser. Tor is a free software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing your internet connection through a series of volunteer-run servers, which makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
Once you have downloaded and installed the Tor browser, you can access the .onion dark web by typing in a .onion URL. These URLs are typically long and complex, and they are not easily memorized. Instead, you will need to find a directory of .onion sites, such as the Hidden Wiki, to find the sites you are looking for.
Is it Safe to Use the .onion Dark Web?
Using the .onion dark web can be risky, as many of the sites are used for illegal activities. Additionally, the Tor network is often used by hackers and cybercriminals, so there is always a risk of being targeted by these groups. However, if you take the proper precautions, such as using a VPN and being cautious about the sites you visit, you can minimize these risks.
It’s also important to note that the .onion dark web is not indexed by search engines, so it can be difficult to find the sites you are looking for. This makes it easy for scammers and hackers to set up fake sites and phishing scams. Always double-check the URL of any site you visit, and be wary of sites that ask for personal information or payment.
- While Protonmail does have its problems, I have included them on the list only for their reliability.
- To access the dark web using a VPN, we recommend using the Onion over VPN method, which involves connecting to a VPN server before connecting to the Tor Browser.
- Of course, you still won’t be able to follow any links without the Tor browser, but it’s a good way to see what’s available before downloading Tor.
- There are nearly 100,000 unique onion service addresses online with over two million people using Tor every single day.
- Logging into certain online extensions or bank accounts will compromise this and make any activity on those sites attributed back onto yourself.
Conclusion
The dark web access is a hidden part of the internet that can be accessed through the Tor browser. It has both legitimate and illegal uses, and it can be risky to use. However, if you take the proper precautions and are careful about the sites you visit, you can minimize these risks and explore the .onion dark web safely.
How safe is onion over VPN?
Onion over VPN is safer than using the Tor browser without the protection of a VPN. Tor uses servers set up by volunteers, and malicious actors sometimes set up such servers to steal user data. Since a VPN encrypts your traffic before it leaves your device, it effectively protects you from such efforts by hackers.