As internet users, we are all familiar with the surface web – the part of the internet that is indexed by search engines and easily accessible through standard web browsers. However, there is a hidden side to the internet known as the dark web, where users can access websites through special protocols like Tor and find content that is not indexed by traditional search engines. One of the most common ways to access the dark web is through .onion links.
The CIA has set up shop on Tor for people who want to communicate with the agency anonymously. You’ll be able to access everything on the regular site, including contact information for the CIA, job listings, and archival information like the World Factbook. At the moment, Dark.fail monitors around 50 websites, including many of the ones mentioned here. This is not an overly impressive number, but most of the popular sites are covered.
SecureDrop
What are .onion links?
.onion links are special URLs that can only be accessed through the Tor anonymity network. These links typically end in “.onion” and lead to websites hosted on the dark web. Due to the encrypted nature of the Tor network, .onion links provide users with a high level of anonymity and privacy when browsing these websites.
What Is The Dark Web? Here’s Everything To Know Before You Access It
Activists, whistle blowers, and journalists also use the dark web to communicate securely with sources and news organizations. Offering books for free, shadow libraries face the morality question of copyright vs. access to information and knowledge. Just Another Library is one such service, with a wealth of books covering computer programming, science, and niche hobbies (sailors’ knots, anyone?). It also offers works of art, course material, and audiobooks for download. Wasabi Wallet is a Bitcoin wallet that not only hides all your data in the Tor network but also allows you to “join” your transactions with others to increase your anonymity. This makes it incredibly difficult to find out who you are paying.
- There are many places in the world where access to international news sources is blocked.
- To put it another way, it doesn’t gather or distribute any of your personal data.
- Proxies into the Tor network like Tor2web allow access to onion services from non-Tor browsers and for search engines that are not Tor-aware.
- They also use it to encrypt their communications and keep their identities under wraps via Tor — especially in countries where reading or sharing content could lead to harm.
- It is because the channel wants to spread its news coverage worldwide to help people know what is exactly going around worldwide.
- If you don’t know the Dark Web too well, we’re here to help you to explore it a little.
How can I access .onion links?
We’ll also look more closely at the dark web, what it is, and how it works so you can stay safe when exploring the unknown. It is a private search engine that lets you search the regular internet via Tor. This allows you not only to visit sites with the added privacy provided by the Tor network, but also search the web as privately as possible from inside the Tor browser.
User Account Menu
To access .onion links, you will need to download and install the Tor browser, which allows you to connect to the Tor network and browse the dark web safely. Once you have the Tor browser installed, you can simply enter a .onion link into the address bar to visit the website.
We can view our route through the Tor network by clicking the site’s name in the URL bar where the (i) button is. On older versions, you can click on the drop-down arrow next to the onion icon in the upper left of the window. In the case of visiting an .onion site, we can only see the last relays and the “Onion site” listed in the circuit information.
Are .onion links legal?
While accessing .onion links is not illegal in itself, it is important to note that the dark web is often associated with illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and cybercrime. As such, it is crucial to proceed with caution when exploring .onion links and avoid engaging in any illegal activities.
Now, this page also contained information on if you are not satisfied with the delivery, how to contact the seller, how can the query and concerns be resolved, etc. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. While Tor is useful for browsing the web anonymously, it is not without problems. Naturally, this has drawn the attention of government organizations like the NSA and FBI, who consider Tor a target of particular interest.
Common myths about .onion links
- .onion links are all illegal: While there are indeed illegal activities happening on the dark web, not all .onion links lead to illicit content. There are legitimate websites and forums hosted on the dark web as well.
- .onion links are untraceable: While using the Tor network provides a higher level of anonymity, it is not foolproof. Law enforcement agencies and hackers have found ways to track users on the dark web.
- .onion links are all unsafe: Just like the surface web, the dark web has its fair share of malicious websites. However, with proper precautions and security measures, users can minimize the risks of encountering harmful content.
In addition, onion peel extracts, rich with quercetin, was found to reduce insulin resistance in male diabetic rats on high fat diet [62]. Moreover, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats administered onion and fenugreek had lower oxidative stress levels compared to those administered only fenugreek [63]. In addition, onion juice was found to have an insulin-like action as it decreased blood glucose level in hyperglycemic animal models [20].
Overall, .onion links offer a glimpse into the hidden world of the dark web, providing users with access to a wide range of content beyond what is available on the surface web. By understanding how to safely navigate the dark web and discerning between legitimate and illegal content, users can explore .onion links responsibly.
