The dark internet is a hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed by a special browser called Tor. All dark web sites have onion links that are different than regular URLs, so you can easily recognize them.
If you want to know more about the popular dark web sites in 2023, you don’t have to look far. This guide will cover all details about them.
Why Are Dark Web Sites So Popular?
The dark web is popular because it allows you to access dark web sites without compromising your privacy. You can also view links that are unavailable on the regular internet due to country restrictions or other reasons.
You can use your social platforms and other dark web sites while enjoying reduced risk of hacking. The best thing is there are many sites you can access on the dark internet.
So here are the 14 best dark web sites you can access this year:
The Hidden Wiki
Who Uses It: All users
The Hidden Wiki is one of the most popular dark web sites that users visit. It serves as the Wikipedia of the dark internet to help you find onion links for dark web sites. This means it is a vast directory that can connect you with almost any platform on the dark net.
Remember, this website does not distinguish between safe and unsafe links. You may come across some sites with questionable content. There is also no single URL for The Hidden Wiki.
The website has many mirror pages on the dark web, some of which may be fake. Being careful while exploring this page will help you keep your privacy more secure.
Informative pages on different topics are also available on this dark web site. For example, you may read more about conspiracy theories on this page.
Positives Of The Hidden Wiki
- Offers you link to various dark web sites
- It is easy to find information on topics
- The site saves you from spending hours searching for dark platforms
Negatives Of The Hidden Wiki
- Every link you click on the site is not safe
- There are many false Hidden Wiki sites on the dark web
DuckDuckGo
Who Uses It: Businessmen, Journalists, Personal Users
Most people use Google as the primary search engine on the dark internet, while others prefer DuckDuckGo. The latter is not a search engine but serves as a private browsing tool. You can use the regular site to reach the dark internet.
It is also possible to access dark web sites by searching for platforms on this part of the internet. The best thing about this dark link is that it does not track your activity. There will also be no records of what you have searched on DuckDuckGo.
Remember that this website has normal and dark versions, so you can visit the site on the regular internet too. The main difference between the two options is the availability of links.
Dark web sites cannot be accessed if you’re using DuckDuckGo on the regular internet.
Pros Of DuckDuckGo
- It is available on every part of the internet
- The platform does not keep your history
- No private information is shared by the site
- You will not see ads
Cons Of DuckDuckGo
- You cannot get user-specific results due to low personalization
Sci-Hub
Who Uses It: Students, Researchers, Medical Professionals, Journalists
Sci-Hub is one of the popular dark web sites for people keen on science. It offers access to research papers without a paywall. This means you can view multiple documents without paying any access fee.
The website is available on the normal internet, but it has been deemed illegal in many countries. So accessing Sci-Hub is not possible in every place. People who want to bypass this restriction can use the dark web to view Sci-Hub privately.
This dark site is considered illegal because the research material belongs to different people. Sci-Hub posts the content without giving importance to copyrights. Because of this, the platform had to change its domain multiple times.
Benefits Of Sci-Hub
- It offers free research papers
- The site is available on normal and dark internet
- A vast database of scientific journals and books
- A free download option is also available
Drawbacks Of Sci-Hub
- It is illegal and unavailable in many countries
Facebook
Who Uses It: Brand Promoters, Gamers, Public Figures, Other Social Media Users
There are many dark web sites that you can access through Tor, but only a few social media platforms have official dark versions. Facebook is one of those sites. The company released an official Tor version for the dark internet in 2014.
The main purpose of this dark version is to let users enjoy anonymity when they buy stuff from other websites. It offers high censorship to those who prefer privacy over other things. Remember, this does not mean that Tor Facebook will not take your information.
Logging-in and profile-creation methods remain the same on dark Facebook. It has been designed to offer security for local surveillance. People who cannot access the normal site due to regional restrictions can also use the dark version.
Advantages Of Dark Facebook
- Better security
- Accessible in all regions
- The risk of hacking is reduced
Disadvantages Of Dark Facebook
- It blocks connections sometimes due to triggering different safety mechanisms
SecureDrop
Who Uses It: Journalists, NGOs, Media Whistleblowers
SecureDrop is a file-sharing platform with a specific purpose. It allows journalists to receive information from anonymous sources. Whistleblowers can also use this system to send sensitive information to the relevant recipient.
This is one of the top dark web sites for journalists because Tor offers their sources the highest level of privacy. All files that are sent through SecureDrop are also heavily encrypted. Their connections are also rarely intercepted, allowing one to keep their identity hidden.
No third parties are involved in the file-sharing process due to the servers being owned by the relevant news organizations. The platform also does not log history or IP address for enhanced security.
Strengths Of SecureDrop
- Automatic encryption
- No records of browsing activity
- People outside the media organization cannot access the file contents
- Added security for whistleblowers
Weaknesses Of SecureDrop
- Leaks can occur on the journalist’s end
ProPublica
Who Uses It: Journalists, News Readers, Activists
Journalists and curious readers often use dark web sites to get news updates. This is why ProPublica launched a dark net version of its publishing website in 2016. The platform has won a Pulitzer Prize for one of its pieces.
The organization posts content about digital privacy, discrimination within the healthcare sector, and other sensitive topics. People who often read such content don’t want their browsing activity recorded. They also don’t want to feel scared of someone watching them while they read sensitive stuff.
This is why such readers mainly use dark web sites for reading news. ProPublica offers enhanced anonymity through its legal Tor version. It also allows readers in blocked countries to view the content easily.
Positives Of ProPublica
- It saves you from being tracked
- Whistleblowers can send information to the dark platform easily
- The official onion link is present on ProPublica’s site
Negatives Of ProPublica
- The regular version of the site will still record your data
Riseup
Who Uses It: Activists, Journalists, Non-Profit Groups
Riseup is one of the safest dark web sites for activists because it has been launched by volunteer activists. The main purpose of this online chatting platform is to help people communicate their thoughts without worrying about legal consequences.
Emailing and chatting features are offered by Riseup on Tor. The company’s VPN does not log the IP addresses of those who connect to it. It also offers high encryption to prevent users from cyber-attacks.
This company is famous for being an ethical non-profit organization. You will also get information tips from the platform to improve your browsing security. Riseup also protects the anonymity of its users and saves them from government repercussions.
Pros Of Riseup
- The platform is available on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android devices
- Riseup has its own VPN and strong encryption system
- A detailed tutorial guide on setting up Tor Riseup is available on the platform
Cons Of Riseup
- New users require an invitation code from an insider before they can start using Riseup
Impreza Hosting
Who Uses It: Business Owners, Bloggers, Owners Of Dark Web Sites
All dark web sites need a space where the platform can be hosted. Impreza Hosting offers exactly that to people who want to launch their page on the dark internet. It provides you with a server where you can store your site’s information.
Email services are also offered by Impreza Hosting. You can also use the platform to register your onion domain privately. The company offers various packages with budget-friendly rates for greater flexibility.
It also has additional tools for making crypto payments and setting up a VPN to hide your IP address. The top feature of this dark site is that it will not ask your business details or monitor your private activity. If you don’t know much about the Dark Internet, So This Guide is for you (DarkNet Guide).
Advantages Of Impreza Hosting
- Affordable pricing
- Its servers encrypt your hard disks automatically
- You can make crypto payments
- The platform is available in various countries
- Setting up dark web sites is easy
Disadvantages Of Impreza Hosting
- No free trial is available
BBC Tor Mirror
Who Uses It: Journalists, Curious Readers, Activists, NGOs
BBC is a British broadcaster that has been operating for many years. You can find sports content, news, and other reports on its website. However, the company has been facing censorship in various regions due to the posting of sensitive content.
It may also be blocked in regions where political news updates are restricted. To bypass these restrictions, BBC launched its Tor Mirror site in 2019. Like other journalism-related dark web sites, this platform also aims to offer high security to its readers.
Censorship restrictions can also be bypassed through BBC Tor Mirror, making it readily accessible. The main difference between this version and the regular BBC is that the Tor site focuses on international news.
Benefits Of BBC Tor Mirror
- It helps you bypass censorship laws
- You can access media and news everywhere
- The system does not record your personal information
- Foreign language services are offered on BBC Tor Mirror
Drawbacks Of BBC Tor Mirror
- UK-only content is not available on BBC Tor
Wasabi Wallet
Who Uses It: Crypto-Currency Users
Cryptocurrency users are always looking for trading dark web sites that can help them perform safe transactions. Wasabi Wallet is the top platform that you can use on the dark net for receiving or sending crypto funds. Conjoins and block filtering are some of the ways that this wallet uses to offer security to users.
It also offers your more control over your funds by letting you control your private keys. This non-custodial design makes the app a favorite of dark net users. Mixing of coins will also make it difficult for anyone to track your transactions.
The best thing is that Wasabi Wallet has a user-friendly interface. Setting up the wallet and managing funds will be a breeze due to the efficient system.
Strengths Of Wasabi Wallet
- Easy to use
- It uses an anonymous credential scheme
- The open-source design offers high flexibility
Weaknesses Of Wasabi Wallet
- The platform charges a fee
- It is on Europol’s radar
Dread
Who Uses It: Social News Readers, Local Community Members
There are many dark web sites that serve as discussion forums, but Dread is an excellent option for those who prioritize safety. It is similar to Reddit and allows people to talk about sensitive news.
You can also share your opinions on general topics without worrying that the government may be monitoring your activity. The best thing about Dread is that you can talk about dark net markets on it without repercussions. Reddit banned such discussions in 2018, leading to the rise of Dread.
However, you must be cautious when using this platform. This is because some discussions may include the sale of stolen data. Avoid participating in illegal activities on the platform to keep yourself secure.
Positives Of Dread
- It offers you freedom of speech
- High anonymity
- The site prevents government interference
Negatives Of Dread
- Some people indulge in illegal activities on Dread
Comic Book Library
Who Uses It: Comic Readers
Comic books are expensive and hard to get in some countries. This is why people prefer to read them online. However, there are only a few sites on the regular internet that can offer you access to free comic books.
Most of these pages also have a limited number of comic books and outdated volumes. The good news is that dark web sites for these books are plentiful. One of the biggest comic book dark web sites is Comic Book Library.
You can download various American comic books for free from this site. It also has Mangas, which are Japanese comics. This is why the library is a safe haven for fans from all over.
Benefits Of Comic Book Library
- A vast library of American and other comic books
- All books are free to view and download
- It is easy to use
Drawbacks Of Comic Book Library
- Copyright infringement may be a problem for some users
ZeroBin
Who Uses It: Business Owners, General Users
Many dark web sites are exclusive to this part of the internet and do not have a presence on the regular internet. ZeroBin is one of those dark web sites. It is a messaging platform that allows you to send messages to your personal and professional contacts.
The main feature of this platform is that it offers an auto-destruct option. So if you want to chat with someone secretly, you can use this page to send messages to send secure texts. Another great thing about the site is that the receiver’s servers will not have any knowledge of the message’s content. Know the Most Visited and Biggest Dark Web Sites in 2023
Pros Of ZeroBin
- Allows you to send private texts
- All conversations are encrypted
- The site is only on the dark internet
Cons Of ZeroBin
- People using ZeroBin for illegal reasons may bring the site under the government’s radar
ProtonMail
Who Uses It: Email Service Users
ProtonMail is an email service provider that can help you send encrypted emails. It does not require personal information like many other dark web sites to set up your account. The platform also has a user-friendly interface, making it one of the easiest-to-use dark web sites.
You can send mail to unknown accounts anonymously. There is also no need to worry about anyone tracking your chats. The best thing is that the Tor site is available in regions where ProtonMail may be blocked.
So it is easy to use the site without worrying about censorship laws.
Advantages Of ProtonMail
- You can send anonymous mails
- The company does not track messages
- Excellent encryption methods
Disadvantages Of ProtonMail
- It is not free
Verdict
This is everything you need to know about the top sites on the dark internet. The Hidden Wiki is the best platform for those who are new to this web. You can search for links and access multiple new pages using The Hidden Wiki.