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So, you took my course on how to get on the dark web and want to explore your newfound superpower? Good for you and welcome to the dark web brotherhood. In this sequel, I’m going to show you some of the not-so-clear-web’s hidden Easter eggs and how to get there. So, without delay, let’s step into the onion patch aka the best 20 dark web websites.
About Onion(s) and the Dark Web
In case you overlooked this aspect, dark web websites can’t be accessed through ‘regular’ URLs. Skipping the technical aspects, dark web navigation leverages onion links instead of geolocational TLDs (Top-Level Domains). This serves two purposes: website IP concealment and maintaining the user’s anonymity.
So, your typical onion link should look something like this: https://daves-caves.onion, whereas a ‘clear web’ link would look more like this: https://youtube.com. If you fancy a read about the differences between clear-, deep-, and dark web(s), you should definitely check out Miriam Cihodariu’s article on that topic.
A little refresher on the dark web – it’s like a gathering house, where all sorts of people congregate. Some are looking for whitepapers that would otherwise be inaccessible through the clear web (i.e. behind a very tall and expensive paywall), others for a chat with complete strangers, and yes, some would even peddle their ill-gotten booty or plotting world domination.
Hackers, both white- and black-hat, can also be found scouring the depths of the dark web for things like malicious code, special hacking tools, victims, and more. Need to know: the web of darkness is a smorgasbord of info and people. Besides, if you’re having trouble finding something on the clear, you’ll definitely find it in the…shadows.
With these in mind, let’s take a closer look at the dark web sites rundown.
Best Dark Web Sites
1. Sci-Hub
Don’t let the name fool you. Sci-Hub has nothing to do with science-fiction literature, but with science itself. The first website on our list is, allegedly, the largest repositories of scientific papers on the dark web. In other words, it’s the dark web’s version of ScienceDirect. Careful though, because many ‘users’ reported malicious links and redirects while perusing Sci-Hub.
Sci-Hub (last working) link: http://scihub22266oqcxt.onion/
2. ZeroBin
Want to feel just like a secret agent? Try ZeroBin, a covert, dark web-based, communication platform that allows you to send media and text messages to your confederate. Why the secret agent vibe? ZeroBin has a cool autodestruct feature that makes the message go kaboom (not literally) after the recipient reads it.
ZeroBin (last working) link: http://zerobinqmdqd236y.onion/
3. Impreza Hosting
If you’re the industrious type, you should consider launching your very own dark web website; tons of opportunities out there and, if you play by the book, no one’s going to come and break your front door. As the name suggests, Impreza Hosting is a (dark) web hosting service that provides all sorts of goodies such as domain names, host email services, and even servers for rent.
Impreza Hosting (last working) link: http://v7avmdv2l6dio3cg.onion/
4. Dark Lair
From Flickr to Facebook posthaste – that would be an accurate description of Dark Lair, an image hosting platform turned social media. Dark Lair allows you to post comments, share music, upload photos, message your dark web ‘friends’, and everything in between.
Dark Lair (last working) link: http://vrimutd6so6a565x.onion/index.php/Board
5. Comic Book Lib
When was the last time you enjoyed a good comic book? Doesn’t matter whether you’re team Marvel or DC, you’ll certainly enjoy the dark web Comic Book Library, a database containing thousands of downloadable funny almanacs. Enjoy!
Comic Book Library (last working) link: http://r6rfy5zlifbsiiym.onion/
6. Deep Web Radio
Music streaming on the dark web – what could go wrong? Absolutely nothing; Deep Web Radio is all about tunes and enriching your dark web experience. So, hook up those headphones to your laptop, choose a radio station, and browse away.
Deep Web Radio (last working) link: http://76qugh5bey5gum7l.onion/
7. Hidden Answers
Hidden Answers is the dark web version of Reddit or Quora and, in essence, works just like its clear web peers. What can you find while exploring Hidden Answers? Depends very much on the topic: marriage advice, trauma Q&As, hacking, literature, and much more. Have a question in mind? Hop on Hidden Answers and ask away.
Hidden Answers (last working) link: http://answerszuvs3gg2l64e6hmnryudl5zgrmwm3vh65hzszdghblddvfiqd.onion/
8. Daniel
Before Hidden Wiki is Daniel, a ‘dark web websites’ aggregator that can help you navigate the onion maze. Daniel regularly crawls the dark web searching for new websites or checking the status(es) of other websites. Should one choose Daniel over the Hidden Wiki? Definitely yes, especially if this is your first time on the dark web. Hidden Wiki, although comprehensive, contains some very disturbing and very illegal info.
Daniel (last working) link: http://danielas3rtn54uwmofdo3x2bsdifr47huasnmbgqzfrec5ubupvtpid.onion/
9. Numbers Station
It’s hard to say what exactly is Numbers Station. I can tell you what it’s not – a digestible dark web website. The site is eerily empty: pitch black background, no buttons, menus, or text; just a floating seek bar, with a play button. Once you hit ‘Play’, your ears will be flooded with whispering, shrieks, words muttered in unrecognizable dialects, and garbled voices. Nightmare fuel, yes, but nothing supernatural about them.
It’s alleged that the strange noises and voices are actually coded messages, probably sent by secret operatives. Whether that statement is actually true, remains to be seen; the proverbial grain of salt. Numbers Station kind of reminds me of “Just Scream, Baby”, a clear web website where you can record your own scream or listen to other people’s screams.
Numbers Station (last working) link: http://tutdwuh7mlji5we3.onion/
10. Tunnels
I have to admit to having a soft spot for Tunnels, an onion website about underground “urban” exploration. Apart from having that “As above, so below” vibe, Tunnels is a great source of info for users who are into dark urban history. The website contains pictures and videos of various cavern-like structures, shafts, and possibly escape tunnels.
The anonymous group behind Tunnels alleged that the materials were produced while exploring the forbidden tunnels, built underneath some of the most prestigious American Universities. No info is available on the explored institutions or how these sections can be accessed. I think it’s safe to say that these are unsanctioned exploits, all the more reason to boast them on the dark web.
Tunnels (last working) links: http://62gs2n5ydnyffzfy.onion or http://74ypjqjwf6oejmax.onion
11. Imperial Library
There’s a reason why this onion website is called the Imperial Library; with over downloadable 500,000 books and articles, this may be one of the largest digital libraries, period. Just be careful about the copyright infringement aspect.
Imperial Library (last working) link: http://xfmro77i3lixucja.onion or http://kx5thpx2olielkihfyo4jgjqfb7zx7wxr3sd4xzt26ochei4m6f7tayd.onion
12. Archive.today
A time capsule for the entire Internet. Yes, you read that right – a dark web website that aims to preserve the Internet’s cultural and scientific heritage. Some things you can find here: snapshots dating back to the first version of Google, websites taken offline over the past decade, books, movies, Google anniversary animations, and more.
Archive. today (last working) link: http://archivecaslytosk.onion/
13. Hack-Rent-A-Hacker
It takes time to master the fine art of (white-hat) hacking. Still, if you hear the call of the dark side and have neither the drive nor the expertise to hack your way into a computer, you can hire a professional hacker from this little website. Hack-Rent-A-Hacker boasts affordable prices, discretion, professionalism, and everything you may want to hear when doing business with an individual.
Apparently, Hack-Rent-A-Hacker’s most popular ‘service’ is Facebook account hacking – figures! Anyway, if you’re in this sort of thing, someone can help you get inside a Facebook account for 250 euros. It goes without saying that I do not advise you to seek this sort of service.
Hack-Rent-A-Hacker (last working) link: http://2ogmrlfzdthnwkez.onion
14. The Campfire
No marshmallows, logs, tents or mulled wine here – just a virtual, IRC-based, gathering place where you can chat with anyone in the world. All you need to do is select a room, say “hi!” and enjoy yourself.
The Campfire (last working) link: http://campfireagz2uf22.onion/
15. Pro Publica
ProPublica, a famous non-profit news organization that has been awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, is committed to exposing power abuses and public trust issues through its investigative journalism.
Their website is accessible on the clear web, but it also has a .onion site, allowing visitors to browse it anonymously, especially those living under oppressive regimes. Their dark web presence also creates a secure platform for whistleblowers to submit material without the risk of retaliation.
ProPublica (last working) link: http://p53lf57qovyuvwsc6xnrppyply3vtqm7l6pcobkmyqsiofyeznfu5uqd.onion/
16. Facebook Onion Site
Yes, there’s an onion site for Facebook. It serves the same purpose as ProPublica – facilitating access in countries where it may otherwise be restricted. Facebook’s onion portal is an essential communication tool for people living under oppressive regimes, despite the social media giant’s controversial reputation when it comes to privacy.
Facebook Onion Site (last working) link: http://www.facebookcorewwwi.onion/
17. BBC Tor Mirror
The BBC, among others, is blocked in countries like North Korea or China because of the government’s strict censorship policies. This is why the BBC news website has established a unique .onion site, enabling anonymous access, via Tor, to its content without being subject to censorship, regardless of the location. The BBC onion site is an international edition, not UK-focused.
BBC Tor Mirror (last working) link: http://bbcnewsv2vjtpsuy.onion/
18. Dark.fail
Browsing the dark web without caution may lead to hazardous outcomes, such as being redirected to other URLs, fraudulent websites, or scams. Dark.fail is a valuable resource to navigate without ending up in an unfavorable digital neighborhood. Dark.fail offers a limited list of verified onion links, including unfiltered news sources, torrent sites and dark web marketplaces. Proceed with caution!
Dark.fail (last working) link: http://darkfailenbsdla5mal2mxn2uz66od5vtzd5qozslagrfzachha3f3id.onion/
19. The CIA
Tor was initially developed by the US Navy to facilitate secure communication for informants. Similarly, the CIA launched its .onion site to provide worldwide anonymous access to its resources.
The CIA (last working) link: http://ciadotgov4sjwlzihbbgxnqg3xiyrg7so2r2o3lt5wz5ypk4sxyjstad.onion/
20. Google Feud
The last item on our dark web websites list is Google Feud or rather its evil twin. For those of you unfamiliar with this, G-Feud is a clear web game where you have to guess the answers to some random or topic-related search strings. For instance, if you choose a topic (e.g. food), G-Feud will give you a string such as “can I eat…?”.
You need to fill in the top ten most relevant answers as they would have been displayed during a regular Google Search. Well, as you might have guessed, the dark web version spins very unpalatable search strings, asking the user to guess their equally disturbing answers. Caution advised!
Google Feud (last working) link: http://lkqx6qn7whctpdjhcoohpoyi6ahtrveuii7kq2m647ssvo5skqp7ioad.onion/
Additional Dark Web Tips
Here are some things to keep in mind while browsing your favorite dark web websites.
- Use a VPN and dedicated onion browser. See my previous article if you need help on setting up Tor and a VPN.
- Use common sense. I advise you to stick to these websites while browsing the dark web. Venturing further down the rabbit hole may land you in a heap of trouble.
- Endpoint protection. Safeguard your endpoint against the endless host of dark web malware. I would recommend Heimdal Next-Gen Antivirus for ‘boots on the ground’ protection and Heimdal Threat Prevention – Network for DNS filtering. A combo that will save your endpoint and skin.
Wrap-up
Here are the best 20 dark web sites you should check out. Of course, if you have any more suggestions, drop a line in the comments section, and I’ll add them to the article. Stay safe out there and don’t forget to subscribe!
giggles…These are DeepWeb onion, NOT das DarkWeb. Das DarkWeb hasn’t used “[onion] addresses” for about 12 years. Auf Wiedersehen aus Wiesbaden 🙂