The Dangers of Dark Web Onion Sites

Are Sites On The Dark Web Illegal To Use And Visit?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with criminal activity, and for a good reason. One of the most common ways to access the dark web is through onion sites, which are websites that end in “.onion” instead of the more familiar “.com” or “.org”.

Things To Keep In Mind When Browsing The Dark Web

What are Onion Sites?

• The dark web can only be accessed using a special browser called Tor.
• It can also be used for privacy protection and anonymity due to its layered encryption.
• Just remember that this is a Dark Web resource, which means that much of the content is likely in breach of copyright.
• The main difference in the darknet mode is that users can access content that is uploaded only to the Freenet network and not outside it.

Onion sites are websites that can only be accessed through the Tor network, a special browser that allows users to browse the internet anonymously. The Tor network hides the user’s IP address and encrypts their internet traffic, making it difficult for anyone to track their online activity. This anonymity makes onion sites a popular choice for those who want to engage in illegal activities, such as buying and selling drugs, weapons, and stolen data.

Hoaxes And Unverified Content

The site saves text and images, but it can’t save videos and sounds. Did you know DuckDuckGo is available on the dark web and they have their .Onion domain as well? Yes, but it only displays results from the surface web even if used on the Tor browser.

The Dangers of Onion Sites

While onion sites may offer a level of anonymity, they also come with a host of dangers. Because the dark web is not regulated, there is no way to know if the website you are visiting is legitimate or if it is run by criminals. This means that users of onion sites are at risk of being scammed, having their personal information stolen, or even being arrested.

Scams: Onion sites are notorious for scams. Because the dark web is anonymous, it is easy for scammers to create fake websites that look legitimate. These websites may promise to sell you a product or service, but in reality, they are just trying to steal your money. It is important to be cautious when using onion sites and to only visit websites that have a proven track record of being legitimate.

Deep Web Radio lets you listen to music while you surf the dark web. It’s easy to navigate and use, and there are around 10 streaming channels available, each with different music — jazz, Baroque, country, folk, Celtic punk, heavy metal, and more. For example, I looked up google.com and was able to find a snapshot of Google’s home page from 2008. Archive.today allows you to take a snapshot of a web page, which will remain online even if the original web page disappears.

Stolen Personal Information: Another danger of onion sites is the risk of having your personal information stolen. Because the dark web is not regulated, there is no way to know if the website you are visiting is secure. This means that your personal information, such as your credit card number or social security number, could be stolen and used for fraudulent purposes.

A prominent example is a site called Daniel’s Hosting, which used to provide Tor hosting services to about 6,500 onion websites. This site was hacked in 2018, causing a massive outage of onion sites. The infrastructure was compromised using a PHP zero-day vulnerability that allowed the hacker to gain access to the full database of sites and delete all the accounts inside.

Arrest: Finally, using onion sites can also put you at risk of being arrested. Because the dark web is often associated with criminal activity, law enforcement agencies around the world monitor it closely. If you are found to be using onion sites for illegal activities, you could be arrested and charged with a crime.

Conclusion

I also like that the security guides are very easy to read — the format is easy to scan, complicated terms are explained very well, and there are videos and screenshots. It’s great how the site has a Security Scenarios section too, where it offers personalized security tips for specific audiences (activists, academic researchers, journalists, and more). ProPublica has a clearnet site, but its dark web version won’t see your IP address, so you get better privacy. You can also use its .onion link via the Tor network to access the site in restrictive countries, where it might be unavailable. Exploring .onion sites can be an eye-opening and enlightening experience for those who seek to uncover hidden information, engage in discussions, or contribute to important causes. By understanding the types of content and unique aspects of these sites, you can navigate the dark web with confidence and make the most of the opportunities that await.

While onion sites may offer a level of anonymity, they also come with a host of dangers. From scams to stolen personal information to the risk of arrest, using onion sites is not worth the risk. It is important to be cautious when using the internet and to only visit websites that are known to be legitimate. If you are unsure about a website, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid it altogether.