In one case, the Rhadamanthys stealer developer explicitly states they want purchasers to crypt the malware, with posts from the developer highlighting partnerships with crypting services. “This proliferation of a niche services ecosystem makes cybercrime more accessible to less technical actors while enabling more sophisticated attacks through specialization,” tells Carroll. While DDoS-for-hire services have existed for years, their scale and popularity are growing. So far in 2025, Nightwing has tracked more than 90 ransomware and data extortion groups active in just the past six months, with 16 of these groups having leak sites that are only about 90 days or less old.
How To Access The Dark Web Using Tor
It hosted over 7,000 .onion categorized links to make surfing the web easier. One of Daniel’s impressive features was the built-in functionality that showed whether a particular dark website is online. After more than a year of no updates, the site admin shut it down, reasoning that he couldn’t keep the list of onion links up-to-date.
- That’s the desktop edition, but there’s a version for Android and an unsupported onion browsing app for iOS.
- It does support whistleblowers by offering them anonymity and secure communication in an oppressive regime.
- To access the dark web, you’ll need a specific set of tools – more about that later in the step-by-step section.
- You may very well end up in the middle of a stakeout that could turn ugly.
- I recommend bookmarking verified links rather than relying on search results.
“In parallel, some actors are experimenting with blockchain-based hosting, decentralized DNS, and peer-to-peer marketplaces, which offer greater resilience against takedowns and surveillance,” Salom says. Cybercriminals can build a stolen profile with telephone, address and other personal information for less than $10, according to SOCRadar’s 2024 dark web report. Please check your local laws to ensure your use of VPN complies with statutory requirements. The “VPN-over-Tor” approach offers added protection, even if Tor is compromised.
CSO Executive Sessions: How AI And LLMs Are Affecting Security In The Financial Services Industry
The compromised Tor exploit might trace back to you, but then again, your VPN will lead it somewhere else – which makes it impossible to be traced back to you. It’s not a secret that ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and the FBI are tracking Tor users. Obviously not all Tor users, but you never know whether someone might be looking into you.
The Best Dark Web Links — Safe & Verified Sites In 2025
When you freeze your credit, you’re preventing people from opening new credit in your name. Any lending institution won’t be able to pull your credit until you unfreeze it or provide a PIN. You can temporarily unfreeze your credit when you want to apply for credit—for example, when you’re applying for a credit card, car loan, or mortgage. But a criminal shouldn’t be able to apply for credit with your personal information if your credit reports are frozen. Look, you should probably assume that your social security number has already been compromised and criminals can access it if they like.
Prominent organizations like The Guardian, The New York Times, and ProPublica have implemented it. The software requires two-factor authentication to receive what’s been uploaded by the whistleblower and allows two-way communication between the anonymous contact and the media outlet. Hidden Answers is an uncensored and anonymous forum that’s essentially a dark web version of websites like Reddit.
Using Onion Over VPN — All You Need To Know
The dark web is a part of the internet that people cannot access through standard web browsers. It is a haven for privacy advocates, political dissidents, and unfortunately, an array of cybercriminals. The most common use of the dark web is to sell drugs, guns, and other illicit goods. However, significant sections of the dark web do contain cybercrime, and many sections contain information related to fraud and other cybercrime related activities. The dark web refers to a hidden area of the internet where users can access content anonymously — typically to participate in illegal activities. In some countries where political dissent is dangerous, some users will access the dark web to avoid government censorship and oversight.
Access The Dark Web Safely
It’s the same reason why the infamous Silk Road website, an online black market for drugs and other illicit things, was only available through Tor. Instead of having an IP address, sites are identified by a public key (specially a Bitcoin address). The private key allows the owner of the site to sign and publish changes which propagate through the network. ZeroNet also uses trackers from the BitTorrent network to negotiate connections between peers. It is not anonymous by default but supports routing traffic through Tor. With 24 languages available, cutting-edge encryption technology, and 24/7 excellent customer support, it is unsurprising that they are the choice of 4 million users in more than 180 countries.
Quick Guide: These Are The Best Dark Web Links In 2025
While accessing the dark web itself is not illegal in most countries, engaging with illicit activities or even visiting suspicious websites can attract the attention of law enforcement agencies. Accessing the dark web presents significant risks and challenges, even for well-informed users. While it offers anonymity and privacy, these benefits come with considerable dangers, including exposure to illegal content, cybersecurity threats, and potential legal consequences. On the legitimate side, the dark web provides a platform for whistleblowers, journalists, and activists operating under oppressive regimes. For instance, platforms like SecureDrop allow individuals to anonymously share sensitive information with news organizations, bypassing censorship and surveillance.
You may be targeted by law enforcement, exploited by hackers, or threatened by criminals using the dark web for nefarious purposes. The dark web presents various threats, including malicious software and computer viruses, posing risks to users’ systems and data security. Users also face the potential danger of government monitoring and surveillance — or scams and fraud, and other activities that can lead to financial loss and identity theft.
Any online activity can carry breadcrumbs to your identity if someone digs far enough. Malicious software — i.e. malware — is fully alive all across the dark web. It is often offered in some portals to give threat actors the tools for cyberattacks. However, it also lingers all across the dark web to infect unsuspecting users just like it does on the rest of the web. As such, the dark web has attracted many parties who would otherwise be endangered by revealing their identities online. Abuse and persecution victims, whistleblowers, and political dissidents have been frequent users of these hidden sites.
Strengthening Cybersecurity Infrastructure
- It saves a select version of each page and preserves it even after upgrades have taken effect on the original site.
- However, technological advancements such as encryption and privacy-focused browsers like Tor enabled the general public to access it.
- It’s also a playground for cybercriminals, illegal activities, and shady stuff.
- In fact, with a simple Google search, you can now find step-by-step guides on how to access the dark web — and start a path to using the internet to swindle people out of money or take down key IT systems.
- This platform’s library of websites currently totals 50, which may not sound impressive until you consider that all the links are active and popular.
Some whistleblowers and journalists use these portals to safely leak information, especially when a source requires complete privacy. The dark web isn’t just one sketchy marketplace hiding in a corner of the internet; it’s more like a messy, unregulated community with everything from freedom fighters to full-blown cybercriminals. Keybase is a fantastic onion website that lets you cryptographically bring your different online identities together. Look no further if you want good music while navigating the dark web. It may initially look abandoned, but the community members will answer your questions. Sci-Hub is a massive database that eliminates the barriers to getting scientific knowledge.
SecureDrop is an anonymous file-sharing platform designed for secure communication between whistleblowers and journalists. While anyone can use it, it’s built for high-stakes exchanges, making it overkill for routine file sharing or data backups. Major news outlets like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian host SecureDrop instances on the dark web to give sources a safe, anonymous way to share sensitive information.
