The safe side of the dark web

The dark web is unfairly regarded. When you speak those words most people imagine hoodies, hackers and other things that end up in the evening news. The reality, however, is a good deal more ordinary — and a good deal more useful.

A large portion of the dark web is just the regular internet, accessible through a different method. Some of the most respected organisations on the internet operate their own official sites on the Tor network, for example DuckDuckGo, the BBC, X, major newspapers, human rights groups and even a few government agencies.

What would be the point of all this? Because not everybody has free access to the internet. In certain countries websites featuring news are blocked. In others people are monitored according to the material they read. On public Wi-Fi networks anyone else on the network can see more than you might expect. An official onion mirror enables people to access a reliable site privately, in such a way that no one in between knows where they’re going.

That’s the purpose of this site. TheDarkWebsites.com is a small and carefully maintained directory of official onion mirrors operated by well-known and legitimate organisations. That’s all.

Why we built this

Anyone who has ever looked up an onion address will know what the problem is. The search results contain a lot of lists that are copies of the real ones, dead links and fake addresses which look very similar to the actual ones. While some of these fake entries are not dangerous, many are phishing pages designed to steal logins, or even worse.

We aimed to create a single page which you could open on your phone, read in a few minutes, and have confidence in. That’s why we established a few simple rules:

• Official sources only. All of the mirrors that we provide are operated by the organisation itself and are announced on its own website or through its official channels.
• A short list on purpose. It’s better to give ten addresses that we are certain about than a thousand that we aren’t.
• Nothing illegal or suspicious. Nothing here comes from marketplaces, leak sites or forums of unknown origin. If you wouldn’t open it at work, then it isn’t included here.
• Plain English. No barriers built from jargon. If a term has to be explained, we explain it.

Built for DuckDuckGo users on mobile

The majority of our visitors reach this page via DuckDuckGo on their phones. Since you value privacy, that’s the reason you selected that browser to begin with. The page has been created with you in mind: it loads quickly, is easy to read on a small screen, and contains no trackers, pop-ups or cookie walls.

First of all, it should be noted that the DuckDuckGo browser alone cannot be used to open .onion addresses; for that you’ll need a browser that is enabled for Tor. Nothing to worry about — the setup takes only about five minutes and we’ll show you how to do it further down the page.

Verified Official Mirrors

The onion services that we currently have listed are the genuine, official versions of websites which you are already familiar with and which are operated by the same organisation. To copy an address, tap and hold it, then paste the address into your Tor browser.

A quick reminder: a genuine onion address is 56 characters in length and concludes with .onion. If any address you find somewhere else is shorter or differs from ours by just one character, then do not use it.

DuckDuckGo

Address: https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion/

The private search engine that you currently use can now be accessed without having to leave the Tor network. DuckDuckGo does not track your searches or create a profile of you, and when used with Tor an extra level of protection is provided since the search engine never gets to see your actual IP address. It is also the default search engine within the Tor Browser, so it’s possible that you’ve already used it without realising it.

Suitable for: carrying out private searches on a day-to-day basis, investigating sensitive subjects, and conducting research that you prefer to keep to yourself.

BBC News

Address: https://www.bbcnewsd73hkzno2ini43t4gblxvycyac5aw4gnv7t2rccijh7745uqd.onion/

The BBC created its onion mirror in order that people in countries which block or censor its news might still be able to read it. The mirror provides the BBC’s international news service, comprising many of its foreign-language editions. This is why a broadcaster would operate a dark web site: so as to get accurate news to those who would otherwise be cut off.

Suitable for: reading world news privately, accessing BBC content when it’s blocked, and use by travellers on networks with restrictions.

X (formerly Twitter)

Address: https://twitter3e4tixl4xyajtrzo62zg5vztmjuricljdp2c5kshju4avyoid.onion/

X provides an official onion service which allows people to read and post content in areas where the platform is restricted or under surveillance. You can log in using your regular account. However, it should be noted that while Tor masks your location when you’re connecting, X still knows who you are once you’ve signed in, so consider what you share.

Suitable for: keeping up with news as it happens and remaining connected in areas where social media is censored.

Facebook

Address: https://facebookwkhpilnemxj7asaniu7vnjjbiltxjqhye3mhbshg7kx5tfyd.onion/

Facebook was among the very first major platforms to set up an official onion site, in 2014. It functions just like the standard site except that your connection is routed through Tor, a measure that assists people in countries where Facebook is blocked or under close surveillance.

Suitable for: staying in contact with family and friends when using restricted networks.

The New York Times

Address: https://www.nytimesn7cgmftshazwhfgzm37qxb44r64ytbb2dj3x62d2lljsciiyd.onion/

The Times set up its onion mirror so that readers from anywhere would be able to access its reporting without being blocked or monitored. It is a simple method of reading one of the world’s most well-known newspapers in private.

Suitable for: in-depth journalism, international reporting, and reading without leaving a trace.

ProPublica

Address: http://p53lf57qovyuvwsc6xnrppyply3vtqm7l6pcobkmyqsiofyeznfu5uqd.onion/

ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative newsroom, was the first major news organisation to launch an onion site. Its work frequently deals with delicate subjects, so a private means of access suits both readers and possible sources.

Suitable for: investigative journalism and long-form reporting.

The Tor Project

Address: http://2gzyxa5ihm7nsggfxnu52rck2vv4rvmdlkiu3zzui5du4xyclen53wid.onion/

The developers of Tor operate an onion site on which you can download the Tor Browser, read the manual and obtain support. If you’re only going to save one address, then save this one. The Tor Project also keeps its own list of featured onion sites.

Suitable for: downloading, accessing help guides, and keeping up with Tor updates.

Coming soon

We introduce new mirrors only gradually and after having checked them against the organisation’s own announcement. If you are running an official onion service on behalf of a known organisation and would like it to be reviewed, use the contact link at the bottom of the page.

How to Open an Onion Mirror on Your Phone

It is impossible to open a .onion address in a standard browser – not even in a privacy-oriented one such as DuckDuckGo. Sites with a .onion extension are based on the Tor network and require a browser that is enabled for Tor in order to access them. On the positive side, on a mobile phone this is simple.

On Android

1. Get the Tor Browser for Android. It is free and produced by the Tor Project. You can download it from the Google Play Store or from the Tor Project’s official website. Make sure that the developer is listed as “The Tor Project” before installing it.
2. Open it and tap Connect. The first connection may take between 10 and 30 seconds, which is normal since Tor is setting up a private pathway for you via three different relays situated all around the world.
3. Copy an address from this page. Long-press on the address and then tap Copy.
4. Paste it into the address bar of the Tor Browser and then tap Go. The site will load just as it does with the standard version, although a bit more slowly.
5. Bookmark it. After you have checked that a website is genuine, save it in the Tor Browser so that you won’t have to search for it once more.

On iPhone and iPad

The official Tor Browser is not available for iOS, and so the Tor Project suggests using Onion Browser, which is a free and open-source application designed to work with Tor.

1. Get Onion Browser from the App Store and make sure that you have the open-source version, which is the one recommended on the Tor Project’s own website.
2. Open the app and allow it to connect to the Tor network.
3. Paste the onion address from this page into the address bar.
4. Bookmark the websites that you use frequently.

If the connection is slow or won’t load

• Be patient on your first visit. Tor routes your traffic through a number of servers and as a result the pages load more slowly than normal; a few extra seconds is to be expected.
• Ask for a new circuit. Both apps allow you to begin a new route, and this usually resolves the issue of a page hanging.
• If Tor is blocked, use a bridge. Tor is blocked on some networks and in certain countries. To bypass the block, turn on a bridge (for example, Snowflake or obfs4) in the app’s connection settings. The Tor Project explains how on its bridges page.
• Check the address once more. If there is just one incorrect character the page won’t be there — or even worse, you’ll have ended up on a fake one.

What about DuckDuckGo?

Use DuckDuckGo as your regular browser since it’s great for ordinary browsing and does a lot to block tracking. When you need the extra privacy that an onion mirror provides, then use the Tor Browser or the Onion Browser as well. You should see these two tools as being suited to two different purposes, not as something between which you have to choose.

How We Verify Every Address

The quality of a directory is determined by the accuracy of its addresses. Here’s precisely how we decide which entries will be included — so you won’t have to accept it on trust.

1. We begin at the source. We will only accept an onion address if the organisation has published it itself on its ordinary website, in an official blog post or press release, or on its verified social media accounts. Posts on forums, wikis and other directories are not acceptable.
2. We examine each character individually. Since onion addresses consist of long sequences of letters and numbers, fraudsters produce fake ones that differ by only one or two characters. We compare each character with that given in the official source.
3. We confirm the site matches. We open the mirror in the Tor Browser and check that it appears and functions like the actual site, showing the content and branding that you would normally expect.
4. We search for the Onion-Location signal. Many official websites inform Tor Browser of their onion version automatically, using a feature called Onion-Location. If you go to the regular site while using Tor Browser, a purple “.onion available” button shows up in the address bar. That is one of the best indications that the address is genuine.
5. We regularly carry out checks. It is possible for organisations to retire or alter their onion addresses. We go through all the listings on a regular basis and take down any entries for which we no longer have confirmation.

Check it yourself

You should never have to trust any directory blindly — including this one. Here’s the simplest way to double-check:

• Open the Tor Browser and go to the organisation’s usual web address (for example, the main BBC or DuckDuckGo site).
• In the address bar, look for the purple “.onion available” button.
• Tap it, and Tor Browser will take you directly to the official onion version.
• Compare that address with the one given here. It should be identical.

If the website doesn’t have that button, then check the organisation’s own website for the terms “onion” or “Tor” and look for an official announcement.

Why we keep the list short

Thousands of links are listed in many onion directories, but the majority of them are outdated and a significant number are fraudulent. Rather than providing you with a huge list that we can’t vouch for, we’re offering a small one that we can stand by. Each of the addresses included here has a definite owner, a clear purpose, and a public declaration in support of it.

Staying Safe: A Plain-English Guide

Using official onion mirrors is one of the safest ways to explore Tor, but a few simple habits will still help to keep you safe.

Five habits worth keeping

1. Use addresses that come from reliable sources, such as the organisation itself or a carefully verified list like this one. Don’t click on onion links that are posted in random comments, messages or ads.
2. Bookmark, don’t search. When you come across a genuine mirror, make sure to bookmark it in your Tor browser; repeatedly searching for it is what causes people to end up on the fake versions.
3. Keep your apps up to date. Tor Browser and Onion Browser frequently issue security patches, so turn on automatic updates.
4. Take care about the sites you log into. Although Tor conceals your location, it does not hide your identity. When you log on to X or Facebook, those companies will know that it’s you. Therefore you should only log in to sites where you are at ease about being identified.
5. Avoid downloading files you don’t know. When documents and applications are opened outside of Tor, they can leak information about you, so it’s best to stick to reading in the browser.

Spotting a fake mirror

Phishing copies of popular onion sites are common. Watch for these warning signs:

• The address differs from the official one by even a single character.
• The website requests rather odd information, for example a recovery phrase, card details or a “verification” payment.
• There is a sense of urgency or pressure — for example, countdown timers, “act now” messages, or the threat that your account will be closed.
• The design is a bit wrong, with odd spellings, broken images or links which lead nowhere.

If it seems to you that something is wrong, then close the tab and go to the address that you have bookmarked or the one given here.

Common myths, cleared up

Myth: “The dark web is illegal.” It isn’t. Tor is legal in most countries and is used every day by journalists, researchers, activists, businesses and ordinary people who value privacy. What is important is the activities you carry out there, just as it is on the regular internet.

Myth: “Going to an onion site makes me a target.” There is no greater risk in visiting an official mirror such as BBC or DuckDuckGo than going to the standard site; in many ways it is in fact more private.

Myth: “Tor makes me entirely anonymous.” Although Tor is a strong privacy tool, it isn’t magic, because logging into accounts, sharing personal information or installing unknown files could still reveal your identity. It’s important to follow good habits.

Myth: “All onion sites are scams.” Many are. However, the mirrors on this page are operated by some of the most well-established organisations in the world, which is precisely the reason why we only include the official ones.

Myth: “I need to be technical to use Tor.” Not any more. On a phone it’s as simple as downloading an app and then tapping to connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an onion mirror? It is an official version of a normal website which can only be accessed via the Tor network and has an address ending in .onion rather than .com or .org. The content is the same as that of the regular site, the only difference being the method of connection.

Is it legal to use these sites? Yes, it is, since using Tor and going to the official onion mirrors is allowed in most countries. A small number of countries restrict Tor, so check your local laws if you’re at all unsure. The Tor Project’s support pages cover this in more detail.

Why do big companies run onion sites? So that they can reach people who are blocked or under surveillance. Onion mirrors enable readers to get round censorship, protect individuals who are on monitored networks, and provide users with an additional level of privacy. For news organisations in particular, the aim is to ensure that accurate information gets through.

Can I open the links in the DuckDuckGo browser? No, because although DuckDuckGo’s browser is excellent for everyday privacy, it does not have the ability to connect to the Tor network. In order to open the addresses on this page you should use the Tor Browser on Android or the Onion Browser on iPhone.

Do onion sites tend to be slower? Yes, by a small amount. The connection has to go through a number of relays in order to keep your privacy, which takes a few seconds. However, sites that contain a lot of text, such as news and search engines, work fine.

Do I also need a VPN? Generally speaking, no. Since Tor already conceals your location from the websites you visit, a VPN isn’t necessary when using the mirrors listed here, although it might be appropriate in certain situations.

Can I log into my usual accounts? Yes. For instance, on X and Facebook you can log in using your normal account. Just keep in mind that after you have logged in the service will know who you are, even though your location remains hidden.

How do I know an address listed here is genuine? We only include addresses which have been published by the organisation itself and we regularly verify them. You will also be able to check any address yourself by using the “.onion available” button in the Tor Browser, as explained above.

Do you keep track of visitors? No. This site makes use of no tracking scripts, no advertising cookies and no analytics that follow you around. We have no products to sell you and no reason to need to know who you are.

Will you list other onion sites? We only include new mirrors when they are provided by well-known and legitimate organisations and have been officially announced. We will never list any marketplaces, leak sites or other illegal sites.

I found a broken or out-of-date address. What should I do? Let us know by using the contact link provided below. We look at every report and update the list as quickly as possible.

Our Promise to You

The internet functions most effectively when people are able to access reliable information in a safe way. Onion mirrors are a minor but significant element of this, so we want to make them easy to find for anyone who needs them.

That is exactly what TheDarkWebsites.com is all about: a concise list, drawn from official sources, with clear instructions and nothing unnecessary.

We hope that this page will save you time and keep you safe, whether you are a journalist who needs to protect a source, a traveller using a restricted network, a person living in a censored environment, or simply someone who thinks that privacy is something worth having.

Button: View Verified Mirrors

Disclaimer

TheDarkWebsites.com is an independent source of information. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by DuckDuckGo, the BBC, X Corp., Meta, The New York Times, ProPublica, the Tor Project or any other organisation mentioned here. All names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used merely to indicate their official services.

We put in a lot of effort to ensure that each address is accurate, but onion addresses may change suddenly. Always check the address against the organisation’s official website before using it. The site is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and we do not encourage or support any illegal activities.