The platform allows buyers to review the vendor’s products and services, so it’s easy for them to decide if the vendor is reputable or just scamming them. You can see all the product categories the marketplace deals with on the homepage. Like other marketplaces, it also requires registration for new users and accepts payments in Monero. Empire Market is a dark web shop that resembles the AlphaBay marketplace.
BBC News (and Other Leading News Sites)
Crypto services use various measures to keep cryptocurrency wallets secure and make sure your Bitcoin is safe. Some, such as Wasabi Wallet, provide an extra layer of security by using onion routing to pass crypto activity through multiple nodes, none of which know the sending and receiving IP addresses. AVG Secure VPN masks your IP address from other internet users, the websites you visit, and even government surveillance. And thanks to ultra-secure, end-to-end encryption, your online activity is obscured.
ASAP Market
Following Pompompurin’s arrest in March 2023, the site briefly went offline but returned in June under the control of ShinyHunters, a well-known threat actor group. Hidden Answers is like the Reddit or Quora of the dark web and one of the most popular dark web sites to visit. It’s a place where users ask for advice, share stories, and talk about a wide variety of topics.
- It’s a popular choice for users worried about online surveillance and data collection.
- For example, Europol has warned the criminals will use coded messages and ‘gamification tactics’ to encourage minors to commit crimes.
- Riseup’s secure email and chat help individuals communicate without fear of surveillance or data interception.
- The CIA is contactable on the dark web, providing a completely anonymous way to get in touch with them.
- The BBC’s international edition Tor version is available on the dark web, giving access to unbiased news in regions where the BBC is blocked or censored.
The New York Times

It deliberately avoids any tracking or logging of user activity, providing a minimalistic interface that loads quickly over Tor. While it may not have as extensive a listing as some other directories, OnionDir focuses heavily on trusted, vetted links. Its philosophy centers on protecting user anonymity and avoiding the clutter that plagues other directories.
Enable MFA wherever possible to protect your accounts from unauthorized access. Given the above threats, it’s a good idea to use Tor over a VPN to access the dark web. ZeroBin is an attractive option for anyone looking to share sensitive information without compromising privacy.

Is The Hidden Wiki Safe?
Create new anonymous accounts when necessary, using temporary email services. I also recommend covering your webcam and disabling location services before accessing .onion sites. DuckDuckGo’s dark web version offers the same privacy-focused search experience as its clear web counterpart. What sets it apart is that it doesn’t track your searches or create user profiles, making it ideal for anonymous browsing.
- From this point onwards, you can enjoy complete anonymity and security while being able to access “.onion” websites and other dark web browser domains.
- The Hidden Wiki is accessible primarily through specialized anonymity networks like Tor and, to some extent, I2P (Invisible Internet Project).
- It provides an .onion URL and an interface for you to manage your Tor site easily.
- It is a good way to prevent third parties from tracking online activities.
- Alt Address provides disposable email addresses specifically designed for dark web use.
Use A VPN To Access The Dark Web

When you use it, all the web traffic automatically routes through Tor. If the operating system detects any non-anonymous connection, it blocks it, thus ensuring maximum online protection. In 2013, the FBI shut down the Silk Road, but it was later relaunched in 2014 with the new name of Silk Road 2.0, but the German authorities shut it down in the same year. Other than the Silk Road 2.0, similar marketplaces also emerged, but they all went down sooner or later.

Best Dark Web Sites 2025 – Detailed List
The dark web offers privacy and anonymity, but that also attracts malicious actors. The Hidden Wiki is one of the most well-known directories on the dark web, serving as a gateway for users looking to explore .onion sites securely and anonymously. For many, it’s the first stop when venturing into the depths of the dark web.
What Is The Best Dark Web Search Engine?
All messages are encrypted, and the company does not log your IP address. We used to have Hidden Answers as well, but that site no longer works, and this one’s the perfect replacement for any queries you may have. It’s one of the few darknet sites you can use to gather reliable resources. Popular news publications like The Washington Post, The Guardian, TechCrunch, and more have set up their own SecureDrop URLs so whistleblowers can contact them effortlessly.

They can be easily traced and even prosecuted if they share the information on the surface web. SecureDrop is a site that protects the privacy of journalists and whistleblowers. ProPublica is a popular online publication that won five Pulitzers in 2016. It aims to expose abuses of power and betrayal of public trust through investigative journalism.
The ASAP is a moderate design marketplace on the dark web that offers helpful tools like mandatory PGP encryption and two-factor authentication for a safe browsing experience. Like other marketplaces, ASAP Market also requires you to register for an account. Mega Market is a new yet popular shop on the dark web that reached a skyrocketing reputation after the closure of the Hydra market. It allows you to buy and sell a wide range of products and services with a good user experience. This site supports PGP encryption and two-factor authentication features.
You won’t find any “hidden” stories here—it’s the same content as the normal web edition—but users in countries with government censorship will appreciate having a secure way to access it. TorLinks serves as a backup or secondary directory site to the popular Hidden Wiki. It’s divided into commercial links (from crypto services to gambling sites) and non-commercial links (like social media).