Onion links, also known as “Tor hidden services” or simply “onions,” are websites that can only be accessed through the Tor network. These sites are designed to provide anonymity and privacy for both the user and the website operator. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about onion links, including what they are, how to access them, and some of the most popular onion sites.
Tor And The Onion Browser
What are Onion Links?
- Once you have Tor or another dark web browser, there are plenty of search engine options available to help you find the dark web content you’re looking for.
- They often allow more leeway to users and impose fewer restrictions.
- I also like that ExpressVPN offers split-tunneling, which lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which use your local network.
- Mail2Tor makes a good alternative as it allows users to send/receive messages anonymously through webmail or an email client.
- Torch is funded primarily through advertising—purchased in BTC, of course—which is why you’ll find the front page blanketed with old-school banner ads of dubious origins.
For maximum anonymity, you should never install additional Firefox add-ons, and should use the default browser window size. By doing these things, you make your Tor Browser look like every other Tor Browser, minimizing websites’ ability to fingerprint you. Because Tor is very slow, many dark web-only websites avoid complex designs and fancy graphics to deliver a faster experience. Dark websites, on the other hand, can only be accessed with Tor (or something similar).
How To Keep Your Internet Traffic Private From Anyone
Onion links are URLs that end in the .onion top-level domain. They are named after the onion routing protocol used by the Tor network, which involves multiple layers of encryption to protect the user’s identity and location. Onion links are not indexed by search engines and cannot be accessed through regular web browsers. Instead, they require the use of the Tor browser, which can be downloaded for free from the Tor Project website.
A host is basically a website’s house, or where it lives and takes up space. Impreza provides an affordable hidden space for black websites to base their operations. Impreza rents servers, registers domains, and hosts email similar to sites like GoDaddy.
Browse Safely With A VPN
How to Access Onion Links
Google Feud provides quick and fun Google-themed trivia games. There are different categories — my favorite one is Multiple Choice, where you need to pick the most popular autocomplete answer for a random Google search (like “is it ok to swim with …”). This is a blog with cybersecurity tips created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a popular non-profit that specializes in digital privacy. The blog contains tons of useful guides about how you can avoid online surveillance. TorMetrics is just one of many useful sites provided by TheTorProject, Debian, and Riseup.
To access onion links, you will need to download and install the Tor browser. Once installed, you can simply enter the onion link into the address bar and press enter. The Tor browser will automatically route your connection through the Tor network, providing you with access to the onion site. It is important to note that onion sites can be slow and may not always be available, as they rely on a network of volunteer nodes to function.
Browse Privately
Popular Onion Sites
There are many popular onion sites, ranging from social networks and marketplaces to news sites and forums. Here are some of the most well-known onion sites:
- The Hidden Wiki: A directory of onion links, similar to a regular wiki.
- Facebook Core: The official onion site of Facebook, providing secure and private access to the social network.
- ProPublica Onion: A news site dedicated to investigative journalism, with a focus on social issues and injustice.
- DuckDuckGo Onion: A privacy-focused search engine that does not track user data.
- OnionDir: A directory of onion links, similar to The Hidden Wiki.
This will also provide yet another layer of data encryption, allowing for safe communication with the CIA and other institutions. ProPublica is an investigative journalism outlet that has a presence on the surface web as well as a dark web link. This way, visitors to the website can remain anonymous if they want to.
Conclusion
Onion links provide a unique and private browsing experience, allowing users to access websites that are not available through regular web browsers. While there are many legitimate and useful onion sites, it is important to be cautious when accessing these sites, as there are also many scams and illegal activities that take place on the dark web. Always use a trusted VPN service and keep your Tor browser up to date to ensure your privacy and security.
