If you’re curious about the dark side of the internet, you’ve probably heard of the darknet. This hidden part of the web is home to a variety of websites that cater to everything from illegal activities to privacy-focused services. Here are some of the top darknet sites you should know about:
Silk Road
ProPublica — Investigative Journalism News Site
Silk Road was one of the most infamous darknet marketplaces where users could buy and sell drugs, weapons, and fake documents. Although it was shut down by law enforcement in 2013, several successors have since emerged.
Black Traffic Schemes Will Be Very Popular On Underground Markets
AlphaBay
AlphaBay was another popular darknet marketplace known for its wide selection of goods and services, including drugs, stolen data, and counterfeit items. It was also taken down by authorities in 2017.
Instead, visitors must access sites on the Tor Network using a special browser developed by the Tor Project. The deep web refers to anything online that is inaccessible through a search engine. Think of it as the layer resting below the visible ‘open web’ or the surface web. From a statistical point of view, the deep web accounts for nearly 90% of the total internet (the surface web makes for under 5 percent). All this hidden content is generally clean and poses no threat to you at large. For anyone who has come across the term ‘dark web’, the popular notion is that it is a hotbed for all things illegal.
Fraud Tools And Data
Dark0de Reborn
Dark0de Reborn is a newer darknet marketplace that has gained popularity due to its focus on security and privacy. It offers a range of illegal products and services, similar to its predecessors.
Empire Market
If your goal is to access the darknet, you need to know where to look. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our guide on how to access the dark web safely while keeping your anonymity intact. SecTor.City is another free, Tor-friendly, and privacy-conscious email provider. The website has a clearnet link but their email services are only accessible over the Tor network. The website is very basic with little information on who operates it, which is pretty normal for a darkweb-only email provider.
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Empire Market is one of the current leading darknet markets, offering a vast array of illicit goods and services. It has gained a reputation for reliability and user-friendly features.
As with the Surface Web and Deep Web, Dark Web sites can run the gamut from legal to illegal activities. They don’t encrypt your traffic properly, leaving you exposed to threats such as malware, identity leaks and hacking. However, there are exceptions, such as Proton VPN, TunnelBear and Windscribe. With “smart rules,” you can configure CyberGhost to connect to a predefined server on device startup.
- Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to try the VPN risk-free.
- On the surface web, popular sites are constantly working under censorship constraints.
- Not only do you get automated monitoring, but your security analysts get contextualized alerts about dark web threats.
DuckDuckGo doesn’t log your activity, so your search habits, dark web or not, remain private to you. The only downside to DuckDuckGo is that it might show you fewer dark web search results compared with the other search engines on this list. However, it’s important to note that the dark web is a highly unregulated and potentially dangerous space, and engaging in any unlawful activities can have serious consequences.
FAQs
What is the darknet?
- The darknet is a hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It is often used for illegal activities and anonymous communication.
How to do a deep search?
- Torch is one of the oldest and most well-regarded Deep Web search engines.
- The Wayback Machine internet archive lets you view old content that you can't find on the Visible Web.
- Elephind is a historical newspaper archive with over four thousand titles.
How can I access these darknet sites?
- To access darknet sites, you will need to use special software such as Tor and connect to the Tor network. This will allow you to browse the darknet anonymously.
While these darknet sites may offer a glimpse into the underbelly of the internet, it’s important to remember that engaging in illegal activities online can have serious consequences. Proceed with caution and always prioritize your safety and security when exploring the darknet.
Am I on the dark web?
How Do You Know if Your Information Is on the Dark Web? If your data is available on the dark web, one of the easiest ways to find out is to check the “Have I Been Pwned” (HIBP) website. It's a free service, and all you have to do is conduct a search using your email address or phone number.
