Most people would be dark web links surprised to learn that the New York Times maintains a dark web version of its website. It allows the newspaper to reach readers in countries with government censorship.
This onion site contains a directory of important.onion links, from drug marketplaces to financial services. However, it also includes some potentially dangerous or objectionable content.
What is the Dark Web?
The Dark Web is an area of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines. It’s only accessible with specialized software, like the Tor network browser. The Tor browser encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a network of servers to prevent tracking. It’s often used by hackers and cybercriminals to hide their activity online. The dark web is also home to a variety of illegal activities and content, such as illegal drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
It’s important to note that the Dark Web is not synonymous with “deep web.” The deep web refers to databases that can be accessed over the ethernet, but aren’t indexed by traditional search engines. This includes things like medical records, hotel reservations, and banking databases. The dark web, on the other hand, refers to websites and forums that offer a high level of privacy and anonymity. These websites are usually illegal and host all sorts of illicit content.
While the Dark Web is often associated with cybercrime, it’s important to remember that it can be used for legitimate purposes as well. For example, it’s common for political activists to use the dark web to promote their causes. This is because the dark web offers them a way to speak freely without being monitored by the government.
Another reason the dark web is useful is because it allows people to access information that would otherwise be hidden from them. For example, the dark web contains a large repository of private data leaks. This data can be used by hackers to commit fraud, identity theft, and other crimes. The dark web also hosts illegal marketplaces where people can buy and sell personal data.
Finally, the Dark Web is also used by hackers to train their criminal associates. It contains tutorials, guides, and other material that helps bad actors learn how to commit various types of crimes. In addition, the dark web is an ideal place for criminals to store and disseminate the money they steal from victims. These funds can be laundered on the dark web and turned into clean, untraceable cash.
The Hidden Wiki
The Hidden Wiki is a collection of censorship-resistant wikis hosted as Tor hidden services. Anyone can create one and anonymously edit it. These wikis act as directories for other sites on the dark web. You can find them by searching on DuckDuckGo, which is the preferred search engine for privacy enthusiasts. DuckDuckGo does not collect your search history, unlike Google, which is notorious for its invasive data collection practices.
Currently, there are about 150 active Hidden Wiki sites. However, there are many more that have been shut down or are only accessible via the Tor network. Some of these websites contain illegal content, such as drugs and weapons. Others are scams designed to steal your personal information.
As a result, it is important to be cautious when visiting these sites. You should only use sites that you trust and have low risks of containing illicit or dangerous content. You should also be wary of using any site that offers illegal services or requires payment.
In the past, there have been stories about murder for hire sites on the dark web. While these sites are not real, they do highlight the dangers of the Dark Web. If you want to protect your privacy, consider using a service like SecureDrop. This platform allows you to share information with journalists anonymously. It is also a good option for whistleblowers.
Some major news outlets have created their own dark web versions. In 2016, ProPublica became the first Pulitzer-winning publication to launch a dark web version of its website. This is an excellent way for people to access news from around the world, especially those living under oppressive regimes.
Other news organizations are starting to follow suit. In 2017, the New York Times launched an.onion version of its site. While this does not provide the same content as the normal site, it provides a convenient way for people to access NYT journalism in countries where they are unable to access it otherwise.
Another helpful resource is Onion Links, which is a directory of working.onion sites. It is organized by category, so you can easily find what you’re looking for. It has everything from financial services to news sites.
Tor
Tor, which stands for The Onion Router, is free and open-source software that enables anonymity online. It directs Internet traffic through a worldwide, volunteer overlay network of more than seven thousand relays. This network is a series of layers of encrypted tunnels, each with its own unique destination address, making it nearly impossible for outside parties to track users' locations or activity on sites they visit.
Tor is often portrayed in the media as a tool for criminals, but this is largely untrue. While it's true that some people use Tor to sell illegal services, such as drugs and firearms, it's important to remember that the Internet isn't some black-and-white, all-or-nothing place where you can either buy things or get advice. Just as bank robbers don't slander highways, the Internet has many legitimate uses, and anonymity is a cornerstone of democracy today.
It is also true that law enforcement agencies have ways to track down Tor users, particularly if they are not using end-to-end encryption on their browsers or sites visited. This is one reason it's important to verify every Onion URL and to always use a reputable search engine when visiting the dark web. It's also a good idea to cover your camera and microphone whenever possible.
Despite these vulnerabilities, Tor is still a powerful and effective privacy tool. It's a great way to protect your sensitive data and personal information from cybercriminals and government spying.
The best way to protect your privacy when using Tor is to run a private operating system (OS) like TAILS or Qube. These OSs are designed to be secure from malware and prevent snooping from the host computer. Make sure your browser is updated as well, and disable location tracking and JavaScript to prevent hacks that can reveal your identity.
You should also always keep your Tor configuration up-to-date to avoid security vulnerabilities. In addition, it's a good idea to use an encrypted notebook to store links to trusted websites or pages so that you can quickly access them later. It's also important to avoid downloading malicious files or clicking on suspicious links.
Bitcoin
The hidden wiki is the oldest link directory on the dark web and lists all important.onion services from drug marketplaces to banking websites. It is easy to buy cannabis, cocaine, LSD, heroin or even bank accounts on the dark web. To keep your money safe you should use a service like Tor or an anonymization proxy.
The New York Times was the first major publication to launch an onion service in 2017. It's not really a secret anymore, but it gives people with government-censored internet access a way to read its journalism without worrying about being caught. Other publications with onion sites include ProPublica and the Pulitzer Prize-winning news site Motherboard. Onion links directories like Daniel Onion Link List and TorLinks also offer some moderation so that they don't include sites for illegal activities or scams.
