This action constitutes the largest law enforcement action to date against criminal websites operating on the “Tor” network. Aside from revealing just how widely unused Tor is (data suggests barely more than 1.5 million daily users), you can also see the scope of the network. Metrics record slightly more than 60,000 unique .onion addresses. They are separated into several categories to make browsing easier. This means that it can check if any given Tor website is online and when it was active last, making Daniel’s website an excellent first step in exploring Tor. ProtonMail is a Swiss-based encrypted email service that doesn’t require personal information when you sign up.
Riseup “provides online communication tools for people and groups working on liberatory social change.” They protect people from tyrannical governments by providing secure communication. Getting an account requires an invitation, but they also have an excellent Security section with tips and tricks to better protect your privacy. This is an investigative journalism organization that has won numerous awards for its work, including a 2016 Pulitzer for reporting on sexual abuse. They are also exceptional at collecting and providing statistics and reports on a variety of newsworthy subjects. While they have a website on the regular Internet, their .onion site has some small changes and it’s more secure to access it this way.
Understanding .onion Links
Users download bits of a file from others and share the bits they have acquired with users who are downloading the same file. This protocol makes your IP address visible to the users you share files with, making onion routing pointless. There is no way to be completely secure on the internet, and Tor does not change this. By taking reasonable precautions, it is possible to minimize the risks of browsing with Tor, like using the TorCheck website to check that your connection to Tor is secure. You can also incorporate a virtual private network or VPN to provide additional security for your digital activities.
- SecureDrop lets whistleblowers anonymously send sensitive material to media outlets via a unique SecureDrop URL.
- As mentioned above, all dark web links can only be accessed using a specific secure browser called the TOR browser.
- After your data is secured inside multiple layers of encryption, your web traffic is transmitted through a series of network nodes, called onion routers.
- As mentioned above, much of the content on the dark web is the same as you might find on the normal internet (news, message boards, web services) but made accessible on a more anonymous platform.
- If you are using Linux, you will need to navigate to the extracted Tor Browser directory and double click “start-tor-browser” (this sometimes can end in “.desktop”).
A .onion link is a special-use top-level domain name that designates an anonymous hidden service reachable via the Tor network.
These links are not accessible through standard web browsers, as they require specific setups to maintain user privacy and anonymity.
The Dark Web is that part of the internet where all the illegal works are done. The Hidden Wiki is the name used by censorship-resistant wikis operating as Tor hidden services that anyone can anonymously edit after registering on the site. The main page here serves as a directory of links to other .onion sites. Although not officially a search engine, The Hidden Wiki earns its place here for its assistance in exploring the dark web. Operating more like a directory, it organizes indexed links, streamlining the dark web exploration process.
First and foremost, you want a search engine that is private and secure, as well as one that can be used anonymously. The Tor network consists of a series of volunteer-run servers that route internet traffic through a series of encrypted tunnels. This makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or identify your location. After that, we’ll want to replace our hidden service private key with the one generated by Eschalot. Move back to the /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/ directory using cd as seen below.
Why Use .onion Links?
There are several reasons people turn to .onion links:
You can usually select the location you want to appear to originate from and VPNs will use a collection of servers and relays to make tracing your IP difficult. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Once you have the Tor Browser installed, launch it and click “Connect.” That’s it!
- Privacy: Users can browse without revealing their IP addresses, making it difficult to track their online activities.
- Anonymity: Services operating on .onion domains do not disclose their real identities, contributing to user safety.
- Access to Restricted Content: Certain websites and forums are only accessible via .onion links, often due to censorship.
How to Access .onion Links
To access .onion links, you need to follow these steps:
- Download and Install Tor Browser: This browser enables users to access the Tor network and .onion sites.
- Open the Tor Browser: Launch the browser to start using the Tor network.
- Enter .onion Link: Simply type the .onion link into the address bar and hit enter.
Common .onion Links
There are various .onion links that serve different purposes:
- Whistleblower Platforms: Sites like SecureDrop allow whistleblowers to share information anonymously.
- Forums: Many forums exist to discuss topics out of reach from regular internet forums.
- Anonymized Services: Some services provide additional layers of anonymity for transactions and communications.
OnionLinks
Risks of Using .onion Links
While there are benefits, users should also be aware of the risks involved:
- Illegal Activities: Some .onion links may lead to illegal marketplaces or forums.
- Security Threats: Some sites may host malware or phishing schemes.
- Lack of Regulation: As the content is unregulated, users may encounter harmful or malicious behavior.
FAQs About .onion Links
What are the main uses of .onion sites?
.onion links are often used for privacy-focused platforms, whistleblower communications, and forums discussing sensitive topics.
Is it legal to access .onion links?
Accessing .onion links is legal in many jurisdictions, but the content found on such sites may not be. Users should be aware of local laws.
Can anyone create a .onion site?
Yes, anyone with the technical knowledge can create a .onion link site, but hosting it on the Tor network requires specific setup procedures.
Are all .onion sites useful?
No, while some .onion links are useful for privacy and security, others may host illegal or harmful content.
Conclusion
Understanding .onion links is crucial for anyone interested in online privacy and anonymity. By using these links through the Tor network, individuals can explore a different side of the internet while taking precautions to protect their identity.
