At the start of this year 2024, there have been numerous posts on the US Presidential Elections on the dark web.
There was nothing related to an upcoming cyberattack or someone changing the election results.
But rather using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to create content that can shift the focus of readers and build fake data leaks leading to reputational damage.
AI can create long forms of text and almost original looking photos, and can be used in editing videos.
And AI can be used to spread misinformation, involve in deep fake attacks, and push false political campaigns.
So, exploring the dark web can be dangerous, yet interesting at the same time.
The key to a safer browsing experience is understanding which websites to visit, regardless of your level of curiosity or privacy enthusiast.
This guide will explain the dark web, what you can discover there, and which websites are the best to visit in 2024.
The internet's hidden "dark web" is invisible to regular search engines.
It can be accessible with special software like Tor, which routes your internet traffic across many servers to offer anonymity.
Because of its anonymity, malicious actors use the dark web to run illegal operations, sell stolen data, and post private information.
The dark web can be dangerous, and awareness of its associated risks is essential. While it is used rightfully to safeguard whistleblowers, it is also known to house criminal operations.
Here are some things you may find on the dark web:
These stores offer illegal products, including weapons, illegal drugs, and stolen data.
Hackers frequently use these forums to exchange information, trade stolen data, and plot attacks.
To spread their conflicting viewpoints and attract new members, extremist groups frequently use the dark web.
But not just criminals use the dark web. Because it is spread out, the dark web continues to be a center for illicit activity, but it also provides a wide range of legal solutions to meet different requirements.
Here are a few instances of trustworthy products and services that may be discovered on the dark web:
It's essential to stay off the dark web until necessary. If you explore it, exercise extreme caution and take precautions to protect your data.
Let us now discuss some of the most popular dark web websites you should visit. To start, you can use major dark web search engines and other websites to find links to the dark web.
Below are 15 types of websites commonly found on the dark web, each offering unique content.
An unofficial dark web Wikipedia, The Hidden Wiki provides ".onion" links to various dark web sites and services. Since it doesn't discriminate, shady Hidden Wiki sites exist, and careless browsing may result in rude or dangerous information.
The dark web version of DuckDuckGo serves as a private surfing tool for the dark web, providing links and onion sites upon search without recording online activity in either version.
ProtonMail is an excellent option for onion sites since it is a Swiss-based private email service that provides anonymous, secure email without requiring personal information.
Sci-Hub offers free access to millions of scientific publications despite copyright limitations; however, it is unlawful in many countries, so verify local laws before visiting.
ProPublica, a journalistic organization that has won the Pulitzer Prize, has joined the dark web to protect its investigative reporting and anonymous sources, enabling them to access information without worrying about retaliation.
Wasabi Wallet is a trusted and anonymous trading platform for cryptocurrency enthusiasts on the dark web. It provides dependable and secure transactions for a small fee.
Ahmia is a secure search engine for the dark web that offers statistics, insights, and Tor network news. Masking IP addresses and applying further data encryption are critical on the surface of the web. However, many Ahmia results need to be revised.
Daniel's webpage, which features a built-in status check and around 7,000 onion sites, proved invaluable for investigating dark websites and onion links. However, because of scheduling restrictions, it was taken down in August 2023.
Dark.fail offers verified links that let users browse the internet safely while limiting their risk of viruses, hackers, and illegal information. This means that users employ caution when browsing the dark web.
ZeroBin is a safe platform that uses 256-bit AES encryption to deliver encrypted communications over the dark web. It also offers a shared link for extra protection.
The BBC offers an anonymous way to view its news website using its web service, Tor, bypassing restrictions put in place by certain countries.
The US Navy first created Tor to let informants interact securely. In the same way, the CIA established its.onion site to allow anonymous global access to its resources.
Darknet Tv offers comprehensive information, photographs, and details to help users avoid shady marketplaces through its frequent articles, vendor listings, cryptocurrency resources, forums, and connections on the dark web.
Keybase securely shares Tor network information with friends and contacts, ensuring data privacy and encryption. It offers password protection and message expiry options.
SecureDrop is an open-source submission system NGOs, journalists, and news organizations use to securely share and receive sensitive files. It encrypts data to ensure privacy.
Although it seems simple, this guide offers fast instructions on safely using and accessing the dark web.
The famous dark web browser Tor uses anonymous, autonomous nodes created by the U.S. Naval Research Lab. Its use of random encrypted servers to preserve anonymity sets it apart from standard web browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Regarding security and privacy, Tor is not the same as VPNs.
The dark web may be accessed with Tor, but users still have to use a dark web search engine to find websites. Some well-liked choices are:
The built-in search engine of the Tor browser provides anonymous browsing with privacy features.
It offers dark web users a familiar interface similar to Google's home screen.
To access dark web websites using conventional browsers, you must use the Tor browser to browse via Ahmia.fi.
You need a specialized browser, such as Tor, to access search engines on the dark web. A search engine is a tool, not a browser.
Like regular browsers, dark websites have unique domain names that finish in.onion. Like the Torch dark web search engine's website (cnkj6nippubgycuj.onion) they are hard to discover because of their irregular sequence of numbers and letters.
Dark websites sometimes expire due to unlawful activities, founder boredom, or changing addresses and fake identities to escape discovery, so.onion URLs may have shifted.
Seriously.
— Mohammad Smith 🇬🇧 (@Polythunks) August 30, 2024
Download Tor web browser and use that.
Tor was designed for this.
Users of GB WhatsApp should exercise caution, as data breaches on the dark web are common. A few significant data breaches are listed below:
Hundreds of millions of WhatsApp numbers leaked on the dark web.
— Luke Belmar 👽 (@lukebelmar) November 27, 2022
Don’t use centralized communication tools. They are compromised. pic.twitter.com/9c5VpO5rT8
It's difficult to tell if your personal information is on the dark web since it's so vast and hidden. To strengthen your security, you can:
These tools can alert you if your data appears in known data breaches.
Update your passwords regularly, use strong and unique ones for each account, and keep your software and devices current.
While these steps can help, there's no guarantee that your information isn't on the dark web, and you might need professional assistance to understand your risk fully.
Deleting your data from the dark web is challenging and often only possible with expert help. However, you can take the following precautions to reduce risks:
No, the dark web is not illegal, but everything illegal in the real world—such as downloading copyrighted content or selling illicit products is unlawful on it as well.
Browsing .onion websites may be secure as long as you exercise caution. Using verified links, staying aware of suspicious websites, and using safety measures like a VPN are crucial for maintaining your online privacy.
Even though it's legal to use the dark web in most countries, engaging in illegal activities may have legal consequences. Ensure that all of your actions follow the rules and laws in your area.
Dark web activity could attract the attention of government police, ISPs, and dangerous criminals. To protect your privacy and avoid false security beliefs, use a VPN.
As a lot of information is available on the dark web, it is crucial to prioritize security and be on the lookout for potential dangers like fraud and data breaches.
You can also use PurePrivacy with a VPN for data security and secure online activities.