Updated Dark Web Websites List

At some point when browsing the internet, you have probably heard about the mysterious dark web. It’s often depicted as a dangerous and concealed part of the online world where all kinds of bad and illegal stuff happens. However, that’s not always the case, or at least that’s not what the dark web is only used for, since a good number of privacy advocates, whistleblowers, and journalists use it to avoid surveillance and censorship. The main thing about the dark web is that it isn’t accessible by standard means, as it requires a special tool called Tor Browser (it connects to the Tor network, also known as the Onion Router), which provides anonymity to users and websites.

That said, the dark web can be very useful, and a person can discover numerous interesting sites that can’t be found anywhere else. The problem is that the dark web’s bad reputation and illegal dealings make darknet marketplaces a constant target of law enforcement. As a result, these marketplaces don’t last long and are often shut down every few months or years. This translates to a big hassle because users must constantly search through forums, hidden wikis, and communities to find both current and up to date dark web websites list. To save you the time, we have prepared a working list of dark web websites list that includes marketplaces like Vortex, Cocorico, and BlackOps, and forums such as The Hidden Wiki, the Dread Forum, Breaking Bad Forum, and made sure every link in this article works.

How does the dark web actually work?

Yes, everybody’s favorite world wide web is a vast space, but it’s a little-known fact that there are three different parts of it when talking about browsing online.

• Surface web (also known as open web or visible web) is what the average internet user sees. Apart from the browser of your choice, you don’t need any special tools to search on the surface web. All the websites here are indexed and easily found with the search engines like Google, Bing, Baidu, and the rest. In fact, you’re on the surface web at this very moment, reading the PlasBit blog. A standard URL on the surface web ends in top-level domains such as .com, .net, .org, and so on. It looks like every ordinary website in your address bar, such as https://www.example.com. Now, we have a fairly mindblowing statistic for you, and it’s that the surface web only represents approximately 5% of the internet, while the rest of online stuff is found on the deep and dark web.
• Deep web is where things get a bit tricky and puzzling for some people, considering many confuse it with the scary dark web, which is completely different. In reality, the deep web is all the websites that aren’t indexed by the search engines but are still on the internet. For instance, these websites are used by governments, nonprofits, and corporations, and represent the majority of the internet. An example of that are email inboxes or databases that are located on the deep web behind login screens, paywalls, passwords, and other security features. Perhaps the confusing part is that the URLs on the deep web use the same domains and look similar to the ones on the surface web. The key bit of information here is that you wouldn't be able to find a deep web site by searching, nor would you access it without proper authorization. To give you a better idea, the URL would be akin to https://bank.example.com/account/login or something similar.
• Dark web is a part of the deep web and can only be accessed by using a Tor Browser that is designed to provide anonymity and stop tracking. Ironically, the technology was originally developed by the United States Department of Defense as a way to provide anonymous communication. Now, it’s being used for both legal and illegal purposes, and it’s likely more known for the latter. We do want to point out that using the dark web is perfectly legal in most countries, as it’s a good way to protect privacy, especially in places where government surveillance and censorship are rampant. Still, it’s no secret that due to the anonymity it allows, the dark web is also used for numerous unlawful activities. These range from data, drug, and weapon selling to even extreme criminal activity. As for the URLs on the dark web, they look vastly different compared to the usual ones since they use .onion addresses. An example of a dark web URL is something equivalent to http://abc123def456.onion/, and as we mentioned before, would not be accessible through regular browsers or networks.

A depiction of the internet split into three parts (Image credit: Tulane University)

Dark web links from A to Z

As promised, we did the work for you (trust us when we say there is a lot of crazy shit out there) and made a useful dark web websites list alphabetically.

Regular Sites

Marketplaces

Ahmia

This website is actually a search engine designed to specifically index and catalog content on the dark web. In a way, Ahmia makes the dark web feel a bit more like the surface web when it comes to finding and searching for stuff. With it, you can find the hidden services and resources that would otherwise be inaccessible, which makes it a great tool for journalists and researchers who need to find information that is otherwise hard to get.

The website’s URL is http://juhanurmihxlp77nkq76byazcldy2hlmovfu2epvl5ankdibsot4csyd.onion/

BlackCloud

This is a hosting platform designed “for content that exists outside mainstream boundaries,” as it says in its description. What’s interesting is that BlackCloud uses a network of user computers instead of central servers, making it extremely hard to shut down. On top of it, the service employs a blockchain to store information. Since it’s a dark web hosting platform, it specializes in anonymous hosting that doesn’t call for any personal info, and accepts only cryptocurrency as payment.

The website’s URL is http://bcloudwenjxgcxjh6uheyt72a5isimzgg4kv5u74jb2s22y3hzpwh6id.onion

Breaking Bad Forum

One of the more interesting sites on the dark web websites list, Breaking Bad Forum isn’t about the hit TV show as the name implies, but it does have to do with one of the show's main topics, and that is the drug market, but not the illegal kind. It serves as an informative platform for professionals working in the drug industry, such as chemists, educators, or even students. You’ll find all kinds of resources on how to establish laboratories (be it small or large), safety protocols, and just all-around deeper insights into scientific and chemical concepts. Considering its focus, perhaps the forum should have been called Breaking Good.

The website’s URL is http://bbzzzsvqcrqtki6umym6itiixfhni37ybtt7mkbjyxn2pgllzxf2qgyd.onion/

ChaTor

A Tor-based chat designed specifically for those who value privacy and security above everything, ChaTor is free to use and 100% encrypted. The data is encrypted by multiple layers, and the app follows a strict no-logs policy. It’s stated that no third party or even ChaTor itself is able to read the user data during the chats. To register for it, you won’t need to provide important details, just a random username, password, and you’ll be all set to engage in discussions.

The website’s URL is http://chatorcvcl25nskltysozugy36pplnrwpbgwovh6mbwwzy2bzgq2hkyd.onion/

Comic Book Library

The name is self-explanatory, as the website is an archive with the sole purpose of preserving all kinds of comic books and graphic novels. We at the PlasBit love some good old comics and you can find some very rare issues here from Marvel and DC, along with indie zines. It can also serve as a research hub of sorts since it offers access and information on the evolution of comics.

The website’s URL is http://nv3x2jozywh63fkohn5mwp2d73vasusjixn3im3ueof52fmbjsigw6ad.onion/

Cryptostamps

Finally, we get to a website that is crypto-related, or better yet, a marketplace focused on rare digital stamps and crypto-themed assets. The platform is made to offer collectors and investors a safe and private way to buy and sell special digital stamps. Unlike the standard NFT marketplaces that require a lot of personal information, Cryptostamps uses encrypted communication and keeps your information away from the public’s eyes.

The website’s URL is http://lgh3eosuqrrtvwx3s4nurujcqrm53ba5vqsbim5k5ntdpo33qkl7buyd.onion

DarkSearch

As you may have gathered by now, DarkSearch serves as a search engine for the darknet. It provides users with private and uncensored access to hidden websites on the Tor network, and it also indexes a vast number of .onion sites. Additionally, it keeps you completely anonymous by not tracking or saving your searches.

The website’s URL is http://darkzqtmbdeauwq5mzcmgeeuhet42fhfjj4p5wbak3ofx2yqgecoeqyd.onion/

Dread Forum

The Dread is practically the Reddit of the dark web, or rather, it’s modeled to be like it. Since it’s made for the dark net community, you may have to wait in a queue before you gain access. The forum itself is somewhat of a central point for discussions on all things that are related to the dark web. As expected, the platform was made to be anonymous and prevent any data tracking that can be found on its surface web counterparts.

The website’s URL is http://dreadytofatroptsdj6io7l3xptbet6onoyno2yv7jicoxknyazubrad.onion/

Insurgeon's Blog

A blog site, here you’ll find articles and thoughts on the anti-fiat world, with musings that include topics from doxxing to the syndication of markets. The blog is led by a persona called Insurgeon and has approximately 100,000 views so far.

The website’s URL is http://z7735okcy6gggduobp6vjfcgwz4ss5eeduww7iw2agjmfgpjlnquezqd.onion/

Mail2Tor

You can think of Mail2Tor as the dark net’s Gmail, except unlike Google, this is an email service with an emphasis on privacy, offering anonymity and security. You can send and receive emails without ever exposing your identity or any other personal information. Mail2Tor doesn't require any personal info when creating an account, and it doesn’t even log the IP address or metadata. In other words, it’s similar to Sonar, and as such, is tailor-made for journalists and activists.

The website’s URL is http://mail2torjgmxgexntbrmhvgluavhj7ouul5yar6ylbvjkxwqf6ixkwyd.onion/

SecureDrop

Regarded as the best tool for whistleblowers to safely share information, SecureDrop has a very powerful security system that can even protect from sophisticated state-sponsored attacks. It’s open source and uses air-gapped servers and multiple layers of encryption to keep unauthorized individuals from accessing information. Moreover, SecureDrop hides all communications by routing them through the Tor network.

The website’s URL is http://sdolvtfhatvsysc6l34d65ymdwxcujausv7k5jk4cy5ttzhjoi6fzvyd.onion/

Sonar

An instant messaging platform, Sonar is very privacy-focused, being specifically made for the Tor network (as many apps found on this side of the internet are). It goes without saying that it offers users a secure and anonymous way to communicate, while not keeping or collecting personal data of any kind. Plus, it’s encrypted, making it a good choice for journalists, activists, and individuals who reside in censored regions.

The website’s URL is http://sonarmsng5vzwqezlvtu2iiwwdn3dxkhotftikhowpfjuzg7p3ca5eid.onion/

The Hidden Wiki

If the name didn’t already give it away, to best describe this website is to think of it as the dark web’s Wikipedia. It contains a huge amount of links from various categories that range from hosting and darknet versions of popular websites to news sites, social networks, and forums. Anyone can use the site, as all you need is the correct URL for entry.

The website’s URL is http://zqktlwiuavvvqqt4ybvgvi7tyo4hjl5xgfuvpdf6otjiycgwqbym2qad.onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

BlackOps Market

Another darknet marketplace, BlackOps also focuses on the security and safety of its users. There are some special rules, such as no off-market trades (direct deals) or the fact that both buyers and sellers each have their own account rules that they need to follow. If you ignore these, you can easily get banned without ever getting your account back.

The website’s URL is http://blackops3zlgfuq4dg4yrtxoe57u3sxfa34kqzbooqbovutleqhf3zqd.onion/

Cocorico

Simply put, Cocorico is a marketplace that focuses on providing privacy and anonymity to its users. The platform offers the option of buying both physical and digital goods, and is designed much like the usual e-commerce websites. So, expect to find vendor ratings, buyer feedback, and escrow services, in addition to anonymity. Cocorico uses cryptocurrencies as a primary payment method, with Bitcoin and Monero being supported.

The website’s URL is http://xv3dbyzj4wzpuj6nkuoez56ttvratsexavvw43ephiyhykm7kownyvad.onion/store/nojs/

Vortex

This is a well-known service on the darknet that acts as a secure middleman (using wallet escrow) for anonymous deals between buyers and sellers. Vortex claims it’s there to help the darknet community, with a special focus on unity. As for transactions, Bitcoin, Monero, and Tether are supported, and the service strictly prohibits the trade of any illegal goods, from drugs to weapons.

The website’s URL is https://bar47oupp7kn2idtplbngebrtlhurfp5p4irvwngdkj2ynkc46jqihad.onion/

Tor Onion links

Remember that Onion links change often, so always use the official Tor Browser when clicking on any of those links. Also, double-check that you have the correct links and never forget to treat every site with extreme caution. Meaning, no sharing of personal details and no downloading anything that you’re not 100% sure is safe. That being said, let’s recap some of the mentioned Tor Onion links. We have made a list of tor onion links such as the online forum of the Dread Forum, the search engine DarkSearch, the whistleblower site SecureDrop, The Hidden Wiki, and the escrow service and market of Vortex.

Silk Road, the dark web’s most infamous marketplace

In case you aren’t familiar with it, Silk Road was an online marketplace on the dark web, and is the first modern darknet market. Launched in 2011 by Ross Ulbricht (pseudonym Dread Pirate Roberts), Silk Road quickly became a haven for illegal trades, considering that at one point, around 70% of the listed products were drugs. Though, stolen credit cards, child pornography, and weapons were prohibited, as was anything else whose purpose was to harm or defraud. Interestingly, one could find legal goods too, like books, arts, cigarettes, jewelry, and even writing services. Just like its “regular” counterparts, users could leave reviews and ratings, with a discussion forum available. Eventually, the site was shut down in October 2013 by the FBI, and Ulbricht was arrested. The most intriguing part of the Silk Road is how it fully used the benefits of the dark web to stay out of sight and have its users anonymous without revealing their identities or IP addresses. Additionally, Bitcoin was the only accepted currency, and the marketplace had an escrow system where funds were held until the buyer confirmed delivery.

Both the marketplace and the discussion forum were hosted on multiple servers that were located in different jurisdictions. At this point, you may be wondering how was it shut down then, and how was Ulbricht identified? Well, to put it shortly, the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security task force found several clues and pieced them together, like the promotional posts of Silk Road on public forums that were eventually traced back to accounts tied to Ulbricht. Then, due to the metadata and administrative mistakes, the server locations were revealed. To be more precise, the data leaked from Silk Road’s CAPTCHA, which was more than enough for the task force to figure out that the servers were in Reykjavík, Iceland. Still, despite its fall, Silk Road was the reason why many similar sites were created on the dark net, such as Silk Road 2.0, AlphaBay, and Dream Market.

The Silk Road marketplace before it was shut down (Image credit: The Guardian)

PGP encryption as a staple of the dark web

Up until now, we didn’t go into too much technical detail regarding the workings of the dark web as we have been focusing on the dark web websites list, but PGP encryption is something that needs a mention. Short for Pretty Good Privacy, PGP is an encryption method used to provide cryptographic privacy and authentication for digital communication. It’s used to sign, encrypt, and decrypt all kinds of data, be it text, emails, or files. In the dark web, it can typically be used to:

• Secure important information, like the shipping address, so only the intended vendor can access it.
• Unlock the encrypted data that vendors send to users (e.g., tracking codes) or to authenticate market logins.
• Confirm the market link is a real and not a fake site, thereby preventing any phishing attempts.

Proper use of PGP in the dark web is critical as it keeps you and your information safe. In a nutshell, Tor hides your location while PGP hides your messages and the content inside them.

Don’t go blindly into the dark web and its markets

Due to the dark web’s nature and the content that can be found there, it’s important to prioritize security and safety. Apart from using the Tor Browser, there are several things users can do to create a safer browsing of the dark web. To name some:

• Use a reputable VPN and avoid using free ones. This will provide you with an extra layer of security and anonymity since VPNs mask your location and IP address before it even reaches the Tor network. Make sure that your chosen app has a strict no-logs policy and a good track record when it comes to security and privacy.
• Don’t just click on links found at dark web marketplaces or forums without verifying what it is first, since they can easily lead to malware.
• Make a brand new email just for dark web use and never enter any kind of personal information anywhere.
• Keep Tor and your OS updated to patch any potential security vulnerabilities.
• Disable scripts in Tor browser, particularly JavaScript, because they often collect various info about your system, which could leave a digital trail and be used to identify some parts of your online activity. Also, hackers can leverage JavaScript to exploit any flaws in the browser or plugins you use to compromise your system or reveal your IP address.

Additionally, you can use Tails Linux for added protection. Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) is a privacy-focused Linux distribution that routes all internet traffic through Tor automatically. When using it, no files or browsing history are saved locally, meaning if someone gets a hold of your computer in any way, there’s nothing stored that can be used against you or to harm your privacy. Also, when you shut Tails down, it forgets everything, so no history, files, or traces are left on the device. Despite being a Linux distribution, Tails does work on Windows, thanks to its design to be run from a USB stick or DVD.

Dark web market links

The dark web is teeming with places where one can get all kinds of goods without risking their private data, so it’s good to know some dark web market links. We have compiled a list of different dark web market links such as Vortex, and BlackOps Market, all links are updated and working. It's important to note that buying from these markets is illegal and not recommended at all. When dealing with market websites, do remember that there are malicious users everywhere, especially in the dark web, and if you get scammed, finding them is going to be especially hard. While a good deal of these sites already have good security, it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful when trading on the marketplaces.

JavaScript, the silent killer of safe darknet browsing

We mentioned briefly that you should disable your scripts and especially JavaScript. The PlasBit team can’t stress this enough, because at its core, JavaScript is a client-side language, which means it runs directly on your computer or browser. For that alone, it’s highly recommended to switch it off when going to the dark web. Anything that runs directly on your device and is script-based can be used by hackers to get into your system by writing their own scripts. That is more than enough for your security and personal data to get compromised. Even worse, you likely won’t even know that a hacker injected a malicious JavaScript into your system until it’s too late. Do yourself a favor and disable it every time you decide to check out any dark web websites list.

The good side of the dark web

To be fair, the dark web gets a bad reputation for a reason, but due to its anonymous and private nature, criminals aren’t the only ones who are benefiting from it. Here are some of the positives:

• Ordinary people can enjoy real digital privacy, something that’s lacking on the regular internet. No browsing history, location, or online activity will be tracked on the dark web due to the Tor network. This also means no pesky ads bombarding you whenever you search for something on Google or visit some website.
• Journalists and whistleblowers get increased security and privacy, as often, their personal identity and, in some extreme cases, their lives are endangered too. Plus, many of the most well-known news companies (New York Times, BBC, ProPublica, and the rest) are using the dark web to allow secure and anonymous submissions of tips and documents. In addition, platforms such as SecureDrop run on the dark web, which allows whistleblowers to share sensitive information without fear of their personal identity leaking.
• Political and human rights activists seek the dark web so their voices can be heard and not silenced. This is especially noteworthy and true in authoritarian regions and countries, where activists risk imprisonment or their lives if their identities ever get revealed.

Dark web working site links

It’s not uncommon for dark web sites to suddenly stop functioning, either because of law enforcement or something else, so we made a list of dark web working site links. Some examples of Dark Web working sites links are the drug knowledge and community forum of Breaking Bad Forum,the escrow service and market of Vortex, the blockchain collectibles market of Cryptostamps, and the search engine Ahmia. Do note that there’s nothing illegal in using the dark web and there are plenty of legal doings and sites on this part of the internet. Still, be very cautious if you stumble on a website that clearly deals in illegal activities, as chances are those are infested with hackers, not to mention that you’d be breaking the law if you continue to use such sites.

Stay safe while using the dark web

As you may have gathered by now, the dark web has positives and negatives. It’s probably more known for the latter, but it's human nature to always focus on the bad things first. Yes, it’s a home to scams, cybercriminals, illegal markets and trading, but it can also be a refuge for all law-abiding people. Some use it for the privacy benefits, others use it to promote human rights, but whatever the reason, it shows that the dark web can bring a lot of good to the world. Still, good or bad, safety is a potential issue, and you’d do well to implement all the resources and tips we shared today. So, fire up a VPN, disable JavaScript, use Tails, encrypt all your communication with PGP, and always be careful of any links you find on forums and marketplaces. Remember, one slip is all it takes for hackers to find an exploit and wreak havoc. Stay safe!